Theatre Design & Production Workshop
June 21 – July 4, 2026 | MPulse Summer Performing Arts
Two-Week Summer Program
MPulse Theatre Design & Production Workshop gives students first hand experience with multiple aspects of theatrical production. Four class topics are offered each year, and vary pending faculty availability, but may include scenic painting, costume crafts, lighting, sound, props, and projections/video. All participants will rotate through each class offered over the two week session, with weekend activities including special topics workshops (such as stage management, and portfolio preparation for college applications), connecting with other MPulse students, and exploring Ann Arbor. By the end of the program, participants will produce creative works to take home that may be the basis for inclusion in a design and production portfolio.
Dates: June 21 – July 4, 2026
Tuition (including room & board): $4,250
Application Status: CLOSED
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $75
February 15, 2026*
Priority Admissions Notification:
March 15, 2026
Application Fee Waivers
Review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide here: How can I apply for a fee waiver for my application? Qualified students/families will reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a waiver code to waive the $75 application fee. Fill out this fee waiver form to request a code.
Program Sample Schedule
Faculty
Jess Fialko
Clinical Assistant Professor of Theatre & Drama
Christianne Myers
Claribel Baird Halstead Collegiate Professor of Theatre & Drama
Elizabeth Gunderson
Costume Shop Artisan
Jess Fialko
Clinical Assistant Professor of Theatre & Drama
Jess Fialko (they/them) is a lighting, costume, and scenic designer. They teach lighting design and production courses at the University of Michigan. Prior to relocating to Michigan, they were based in Chicago, where they designed for Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, SheWolf Sacred Movement, The Actors Gym, City Lit, Profiles Theater, the side project and Northbrook Theatre. Regional credits include Theatreworks Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Riverside Theatre, Iowa Summer Repertory, Penobscot Theatre Company, Maples Repertory Theatre, Hollins University, University of Northern Iowa, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Davenport Junior Theatre, and Quad Cities Theatre Workshop. Jess holds a B.F.A in Theatre Design/Technology from the University at Buffalo, and an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Iowa.
Christianne Myers
Claribel Baird Halstead Collegiate Professor of Theatre & Drama
Christianne Myers (she/her/hers) is a costume designer and educator working at the intersection of pedagogy and practice. She holds an MFA in Costume Design from New York University and BFA in Theater Design from Pace University. Her costume design work includes theatre, opera, industrials, and film. New York highlights: Music Theatre Group’s Running Man, Dare Clubb’s Oedipus, Lincoln Center Institute, and 17 shows at the Juilliard School; as a stitcher and first hand she worked at Donna Langman and Parsons-Meares’ studios. Regional Design: Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Public Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Indiana Rep, Theatreworks/USA, Caldwell Theatre, Irondale, and Opera Memphis.
Since joining the University of Michigan in 2002, Christianne has designed over 50 shows for the School of Music Theatre & Dance. Recent work has included securing internal grants to support ATCA and writing One Approach to Student Engagement in Educational Season Selection for Howlround Theatre Commons. A passion for puppets allows her to keep her hands busy carving, cutting and repurposing the unreasonable amount of cardboard she’s been hoarding. She occasionally blogs on her portfolio website.
Eligibility & Audition Requirements
Eligibility
The MPulse Theatre Design & Production workshop is open to students entering grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) in Fall of 2026.
Application Requirements
Please provide a 1) statement of intent and 2) samples of creative work.
The statement of intent can be either a written essay or video. Please include the following:
- A brief introduction of yourself
- Your reason for interest in the MPulse Theatre & Drama Academy: Design & Production Track for the upcoming summer.
- Explain why you are passionate about theatre production, being sure to highlight any design and production experience you have had.
The samples of creative work could be a portfolio, or simply a slideshow or series of photos to show us examples of creative/artwork that you have made. If you share production photos, please let us know what role you had on that production. Examples include:
- Theatre design work: research, sketches, models, production photos
- Calling script, blocking notes, paperwork
- Photography
- Doodles/drawings/sketches
- Sculpting/Clay work
- Graphic Design
- Other crafts
Students with limited experience and/or portfolios who are curious and passionate about theatre and design are still encouraged to apply!
MPulse Scholarships
Merit Awards
A limited number of scholarships are available for extremely talented students based on Faculty discretion. Consideration for these scholarships is automatic for applications received by the priority application deadline.
Need-Based Awards
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances due to the pandemic. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application. This includes:
- Monthly Expenses
- Previous Year’s Tax Return
- Statement of Need
Watson Scholarship (For Michigan Residents Only)
In the spirit of the life of a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School (1942) and Michigan physician, the Watson A. Young Scholarship promotes academic excellence and college aspiration among students with financial need. These need-based scholarships support middle and high school students’ participation in summer opportunities at U-M that seek to develop students’ interests and abilities in academic disciplines and expose students to the experiences and possibilities provided by higher education. More information about the Watson Scholarship.
American Theatre Wing Scholarships
The American Theatre Wing is committed to fostering a future generation of theatre makers that reflects the diversity and dynamism of America as a whole. Through their Training Scholarships, the Wing is promoting diversity, equity, and access to the arts to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Funding will go towards covering the costs associated with summer study and after school training programs for public middle and high school students who come from populations historically underrepresented in our industry; who demonstrate economic need, exceptional talent, and an interest in participating in after school training programs or intensive summer study programs to better prepare for future training at the university level.
High school-aged participants are required to live on campus and stay in the Bursley Hall dormitory. Programs that include adult students (18+) may elect to live on campus, and will stay in the Baits II dormitory. Both buildings are on the University of Michigan’s North Campus and are a short walk from where most classes and events will be held. Participants should be aware of the following information regarding the dorms:
- Neither dormitory has air conditioning in the dorm rooms.
- Rooms are double occupancy. Bathrooms are shared between hall-mates in typical dorm style. Roommate requests can be submitted to [email protected].
- Linens / pillows / toiletries are not provided. Participants should be prepared to bring all necessary items to live in the dorms. The bed size is Twin-XL for purposes of securing bedsheets. Room & board are included in the price of tuition.
Participants will receive meals in Bursley Dining Hall located in Bursley Hall, a short walk down from Baits. Participants can access Bursley’s daily menu via the link provided.
Contact Us
MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institutes
Office of Engagement & Outreach-Youth & Adult Programs
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Stearns Building │ 2005 Baits Drive │ Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-936-2660
Email: [email protected]
Emails and phone lines are monitored at the following times
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm EST