Marketable skills are abilities that can be included on a resume or in a job application. There are two types of marketable skills: hard skills and soft skills.
In Theatre Production, students develop both hard and soft skills through their studies, performance work, and experiences in and out of class.
Hard Skills
Hard skills are technical abilities that come from studying and practicing. They are skills like mending a costume, designing the lighting for a scene, or managing a stage production. Because you can specialize in the Theatre Production Emphasis, you might develop different hard skills compared to your peers in another specialization. Here are some potential technical skills in each specialization:
Scenic Design
- Analyzing scripts to create scenic elements.
- Creating scale models and paint elevations.
- Experience with design programs and methods.
- Understanding construction and design principles.
Sound Design
- Setting up sound systems and equipment.
- Knowing how to use and care for sound equipment.
- Understanding the research, recording, editing, and playback process for sounds or music.
- Planning microphone use and setup.
Costume Design and Technology
- Experience with costume design through class and performance projects.
- Researching plays, time periods, and cultures for accurate costume design.
- Understanding director vision and actor needs.
- Knowing the basics of sewing and textiles.
Lighting Design
- Understanding of computer-aided design and workflows.
- Researching industry standards and trends.
- Analyzing scripts in order to create designs that reveal character, mood, and themes.
- Experience with relevant technology and machinery.
Stage Management
- Creating and modeling organization strategies.
- Managing teams and overseeing communication between them.
- Calling technical cues effectively.
- Recording director notes and creating prompt books.
Props Design and Construction
- Researching and finding fitting props for specific plays in various cultures and time periods.
- Experience creating props and using relevant tools.
- Analyzing scripts to note required props.
- Having basic skills in carpentry, sculpting, sewing, painting, welding, or computer design.
Makeup Design and Application
- Creating stylized makeup with face charts and character analysis.
- Styling and maintenance of wigs and facial hairpieces.
- Applying stage and special effects makeup.
- Practicing safe makeup and special effects application.
Soft Skills
Soft skills are interpersonal skills that can improve both your work and your future workplaces. Employers appreciate someone with soft skills that can be applied to their company. Some examples of soft skills include:
- Communication: Theatre Production majors communicate constantly. They clearly express production ideas, designs, and directions with their team.
- Commitment: Students in technical theatre often must devote their time, energy, and talents to a project. This shows dedication and commitment to producing good work.
- Time Management: Similarly, Theatre Production majors work with strict deadlines. They are comfortable with creating schedules and getting work done before the necessary deadlines.
- Adaptability: Changes are common in theatre productions. If you have come up with a solution to a last-minute problem in a performance, you have proven your adaptability.
- Cooperation: A theatre performance usually consists of more than one person. It includes the efforts of an entire team working together to bring a performance to life.
- Research: Each performance and production is different and requires unique designs, props, or sets. In-depth research is required for most productions, especially those set in historical times or specific places.
- Detail-Oriented: Does spending hours on lighting in a tech rehearsal or perfecting a historical wig sound familiar to you? Theatre Production students have an eye for detail that they use to present a successful final product.
Conclusion
Studying Theatre Production gives you unique skills that are highly sought after in the workforce. By knowing your marketable skills, both the technical and the interpersonal ones, you can present your best self on your applications and resumes.
Sources:
Theatre: Theatre Production Emphasis (B.A.) | Majors | BYU-Idaho
Transferable Skills | Theatre & Performance | College of Arts & Sciences | William & Mary
What Can I Do With A Theatre Degree? | Murray State University
Set Designer | Berklee
Scenic Designer Job Description (Updated 2026 With Examples) | SEGD
Behind the Scenes: A Home Theater Resource on Theater Makeup
What does a Costume Designer do? - Get into Theatre
Stage Manager | Berklee
What does a Prop Maker do? - Get into Theatre