Fusion Studio Launches “Structural Design and Analysis in Live Entertainment” Certificate

The Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering launches a new Structural Design and Analysis in Live Entertainment Certificate in Fall 2026, a five-course online program designed to give theatre artists, technical directors, and entertainment professionals a stronger foundation in the engineering principles behind safe scenic structures.

Creating ambitious physical environments for the stage requires more than artistic vision—it also requires an understanding of how those structures will safely support performers, technicians, scenery, and equipment. The new certificate introduces learners to the fundamentals of structural analysis and their application to scenic design and construction, helping entertainment professionals make more informed decisions and collaborate more effectively with designers, directors, engineers, and other stakeholders.

Creating ambitious physical environments for the stage requires more than artistic vision—it also requires an understanding of how those structures will safely support performers, technicians, scenery, and equipment. The new certificate introduces learners to the fundamentals of structural analysis and their application to scenic design and construction, helping entertainment professionals make more informed decisions and collaborate more effectively with designers, directors, engineers, and other stakeholders. While the coursework requires a basic understanding of mathematical analysis, it does not require calculus or advanced mathematics, making the material accessible to learners without an extensive math or engineering background.

The certificate is taught by Rich Dionne, co-director of the Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering and chair of Purdue’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Through the five-course sequence, learners build their knowledge progressively, beginning with familiar scenic structures before exploring structural loads, geometric properties, material strength, and, ultimately, the engineering design process.

Knowing structurally sound construction techniques, and understanding how they work, makes the difference between scenic elements that support the story—and the actors—and scenic elements that fall down and put everyone at risk.” – Rich Dionne

The five courses include Pre-Qualified Structures, Structural Load Analysis, Geometric Properties, Lumber Materials Analysis, and Structural Design Capstone.

The foundational Pre-Qualified Structures course introduces learners to common structures used in theatrical set design and the engineering principles that help ensure their safety. Topics include load distribution on platforms and staging, framing and leg supports, pre-manufactured platforming techniques, and construction using sheet goods, stick lumber, and stressed-skin panels. The course may be taken on its own, making it an accessible option for professionals who want an introduction to the subject without committing to the full certificate.

From there, the certificate progresses into Structural Load Analysis, where learners examine forces within scenic structures and apply principles of static equilibrium; Geometric Properties, which explores how the size and shape of structural components affect their ability to withstand loads; and Lumber Materials Analysis, which examines the properties and allowable stresses of softwood lumber commonly used in scenic construction.

The program culminates in the Structural Design Capstone, where learners put these concepts into practice through three structural design projects. Participants consider not only loads, geometry, and material strength, but also the real-world needs of a production—including stakeholder goals, budgets, schedules, and other project constraints—to develop and evaluate potential solutions to scenic structural challenges.

Designed with working professionals in mind, the certificate is open to anyone and completed online. Four of the five courses are asynchronous, allowing learners to progress through the material at their own pace. Learners have up to 18 months to complete the full five-course certificate. Because the capstone incorporates peer engagement, feedback, and critique, it is offered on a more limited schedule, once per year. While the certificate is not intended to replace the expertise of a qualified engineer when one is required, it is designed to help entertainment professionals better understand what is at stake when designing structural scenic elements, develop safer solutions for typical theatrical applications, and recognize when a project requires professional engineering input.

By bringing engineering concepts into a format tailored specifically to the needs and realities of live entertainment, the Structural Design and Analysis in Live Entertainment Certificate expands the Fusion Studio’s efforts to bridge entertainment and engineering education and make specialized professional development accessible to learners beyond Purdue’s campus.

Learn more about this new certificate at: https://centers.purdue.edu/fusion-studio/structural_design/