The Main Stage Theatre is a proscenium-type theatre with a 36 foot opening and seats 350. The recently renovated Main Stage Theatre has enhanced seating and acoustic tiles for exceptional sound quality. The electrical system is dimmer-per-circuit with state-of-the-art lighting fixtures and control, including LEDs and moving lights. The stage is fully trapped with a full, adjustable orchestra pit and is adjacent to the scenic studios. The rigging system is a combination of five electric winch lighting batons and 30 counter-weighted line sets. The sound system is computer-based digital storage and control. There is a full stage, digital projector, and supplemental, smaller, digital projectors. 

The Prebys Stage at San Diego State University is a modern, versatile performance venue designed to accommodate a wide range of artistic productions, including theater, music, and dance. The Prebys Stage boasts state-of-the-art technical facilities and a flexible layout that enhances both performer and audience experiences. This flexible second stage space features a sprung floor vital for dance, a cutting-edge tension grid for lighting and a high-quality sound design lab. Named in honor of the generous support of philanthropist Conrad Prebys, the stage is a key hub for SDSU’s performing arts programs and community events.

The Experimental Theatre is a versatile classroom, rehearsal space, and student group lab and performance space. The seating and staging areas can be set in a thrust or end stage configuration. A repertory light plot is provided for student experimentation and design.

Virtual Tour of the Experimental Theatre

The costume and make-up facilities share the lower level of the building along with a design and construction research library. There is a large costume studio equipped with industrial machinery and specialty machines such as a patcher and walking foot machine.  The studio has ample room for 2 draper teams and extra work tables.  The wig and make up studio contains wig making and styling stations and a wig dryer.  There is a crafts studio and a ventilated dye room with commercial dye equipment. The costume department houses the Alicia Annas Historical Collection - an historical costume collection with over 2,000 garments from 1840’s to 1950’s (with the oldest garment from the 1700’s) and a Contemporary Study Collection featuring garments from the 1960’s to the present, including many examples of work by designers such as Chanel and Givenchy.  

The Light Lab contains a variety of equipment – from the classic Fresnel to moving lights and LEDs. The lab is designed for versatility and complete flexibility for student experimentation and self-learning. Lighting students have full access to the light lab for class projects, mock-ups, and free-flowing idea development. The lab is controlled by a state-of-the art lighting console and has its own dedicated ladders, gel and gobo stock, a white cyc or full traveling black, as well as a small sound system and fog machine.

Virtual Tour of the Light Lab

The 3D Fab Lab contains an array of 3D fabrication technology such as 3D printers and 3D scanning equipment.

The Scenic Studios are located next to the Don Powell and Experimental Theatres. They consist of separate wood and metal-working shops which utilize state-of-the art equipment. The paint area houses a full-stage (20’ X 50’) electrically-operated paint frame and an adjacent spray booth. 

Our 2500 sq ft scenic studio is outfitted with a full complement of stationary, hand, power, and pneumatic tools. We have everything we need, including a full-size CNC router table, to produce full-scale theatrical productions. The technology and methods used in our shops are based on  industry standards and will prepare students with the skills they need to be successful.

Virtual Tour of the Scene Shop

The San Diego Theatre Arts Research Lab, or STAR Labs, is the technical direction students’ research office. This lab contains everything from motors and drive control components, to precision tools and milling. This is where technical direction students can further develop their ideas and research to help develop the technology that will move the theatre of tomorrow. Our large inventory of stage machinery includes winches, hoists, lifts and turntable drives, ranging from 2 HP to 10 HP, and our control inventory includes a range of modern automation software as well as PLCs and microcontrollers.

Our metal fabrication shop hosts MIG, TIG, and Stick welders, hot and cold saws, a hydraulic ironworker, metal lathe, fume extractor, and all the fabrication tools students need to  build custom automation components and scenery.