{"id":2165,"date":"2024-03-21T14:50:19","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T18:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/?page_id=2165"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:31:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:31:11","slug":"prequalified-structures-for-the-stage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/prequalified-structures-for-the-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n    <div  class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero has-black-background\">\n        <div class=\"section has-padding-top-large has-padding-bottom-large\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero__content\">\n                \n                                                        <h1 class=\"second-level-page-heading purdue-home-diagonal-hero__header\">Structural Design and Analysis in Live Entertainment Courses<\/h1>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero__subtext\">\n\n                        \n<p>Purdue\u2019s <strong>100% online, self-paced certificate<\/strong> teaches the structural and engineering principles behind safe, effective scenic construction\u2014<strong>no math background required<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n                    <\/div>\n                \n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"image\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/MG_7973-medium-scaled-e1762204800506.jpg\"\/>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-button-bar has-gold-background \">\n    <ul>\n                    <li>\n                <a class=\"purdue-home-button-bar__button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.eventreg.purdue.edu\/online\/PreQualifiedStructures\" target=\"_blank\">\n                                            <p class=\"purdue-home-button-bar__button-title\">Register Now<\/p>\n                                                        <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"section  page-layout-wide page-layout-two-column\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Offered by Purdue\u2019s Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-one-quarter-desktop is-full-tablet is-full-mobile page-layout-sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Purdue\u2019s <strong>100% online Structural Design and Analysis in Live Entertainment courses <\/strong>provide industry professionals and aspiring designers with essential skills to create safe and effective scenic structures for theater, events and entertainment productions. These three courses offer a practical, real-world approach to structural engineering concepts in scenic design.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taught by an expert in theater engineering and production management with decades of related experience, this course provides an accessible, non-math-based approach for understanding how various stage structures work \u2013 and the engineering principles that make them effective. Learners don\u2019t need a background in math or engineering to enroll.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These courses are a fast and flexible upskilling opportunity for community and school theater managers, theater set engineers, theater teachers, technical directors, stagehands and anyone else who works with theater and entertainment sets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learners can take courses individually or complete a five-course certificate launching in Summer 2025. Each course includes <strong>eight professional development hours<\/strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Courses Available<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"purdue-accordion-wrap  purdue-accordion-wrap--large\">\n    <div class=\"section has-black-background has-padding-top-none has-padding-bottom-none\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-accordion has-no-topborder\">\n                <h3 class=\"accordion__heading purdue-accordion__title \" id=\"title-4ca19f93-54a3-455b-941a-c6e3af168e52\">\n                    <button aria-controls=\"content-4ca19f93-54a3-455b-941a-c6e3af168e52\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><strong><em>Pre-Qualified Structures<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/button>\n                <\/h3>\n                <div class=\"accordion__content purdue-accordion__content\" id=\"content-4ca19f93-54a3-455b-941a-c6e3af168e52\">\n                    \n\n<p><strong>$500 | Open Enrollment<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This foundational course introduces the use of pre-qualified structures in theater set design and the engineering principles that ensure their safety. Learners will:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understand load distribution on platforms and staging.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify structural considerations for various set materials.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn framing, leg supports, and pre-manufactured platforming techniques.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work with sheet goods, stick lumber, and stressed-skin panels (&#8220;triscuits&#8221;).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the <strong>first course<\/strong> in the upcoming certificate program and is recommended as a starting point for all learners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those pursuing the full certificate should take <strong>Pre-Qualified Structures<\/strong> first.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-buttons purdue-home-buttons--left \">\n    <ul class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">\n                    <li class=\"\"><a class=\"purdue-home-button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.eventreg.purdue.edu\/online\/PreQualifiedStructures\" target=\"_self\">Register Here<\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"purdue-accordion-wrap  purdue-accordion-wrap--large\">\n    <div class=\"section has-black-background has-padding-top-none has-padding-bottom-none\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-accordion has-no-topborder\">\n                <h3 class=\"accordion__heading purdue-accordion__title \" id=\"title-42d39ee5-6328-4e62-9e74-1213e78eba6e\">\n                    <button aria-controls=\"content-42d39ee5-6328-4e62-9e74-1213e78eba6e\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><strong><em>Structural Load Analysis<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/button>\n                <\/h3>\n                <div class=\"accordion__content purdue-accordion__content\" id=\"content-42d39ee5-6328-4e62-9e74-1213e78eba6e\">\n                    \n\n<p><strong>$500 | Open Enrollment<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This course dives into the structural analysis of scenic elements, equipping learners with tools to assess and document forces within set structures. Participants will:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Break down complex scenic elements into individual structural components.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create and interpret free body diagrams.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply static equilibrium principles to ensure structural stability.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analyze internal stresses in scenic elements to predict material behavior under load.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-buttons purdue-home-buttons--left \">\n    <ul class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">\n                    <li class=\"\"><a class=\"purdue-home-button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.eventreg.purdue.edu\/online\/StructuralLoadAnalysis\" target=\"_self\">Register Here<\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"purdue-accordion-wrap  purdue-accordion-wrap--large\">\n    <div class=\"section has-black-background has-padding-top-none has-padding-bottom-none\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-accordion has-no-bottomborder has-no-topborder\">\n                <h3 class=\"accordion__heading purdue-accordion__title \" id=\"title-9dcfa447-61a8-464b-b30c-7c774a6ec3c8\">\n                    <button aria-controls=\"content-9dcfa447-61a8-464b-b30c-7c774a6ec3c8\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><strong><em>Geometric Properties<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/button>\n                <\/h3>\n                <div class=\"accordion__content purdue-accordion__content\" id=\"content-9dcfa447-61a8-464b-b30c-7c774a6ec3c8\">\n                    \n\n<p><strong>$500 | Open Enrollment<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This course explores the geometric properties of structural members and their impact on load-bearing capacity. Learners will:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Examine how cross-sectional shapes affect structural integrity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calculate key geometric properties, including the centroid, moment of inertia and section modulus.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand the relationship between these properties and bending\/compression strength.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-buttons purdue-home-buttons--left \">\n    <ul class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">\n                    <li class=\"\"><a class=\"purdue-home-button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.eventreg.purdue.edu\/online\/StructuralMembers\" target=\"_self\">Register Here<\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div  class=\"purdue-home-quote \">\n        <div class=\"section has-no-sidepadding has-none-background\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"purdue-home-quote-card\">\n                                 <div class=\"purdue-home-quote-content\">\n                    <blockquote>\n                        \n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Knowing structurally sound construction techniques, and understanding how they work, makes the difference between scenic elements that support the story\u2014and the actors\u2014and scenic elements that fall down and put everyone at risk.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n                    <\/blockquote>\n                                        <p class=\"purdue-home-quote__name\">Rich dionne<\/p>\n                                                        <\/div>\n             <\/div>\n                     <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News and Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column special-me is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/she-kills-monsters-7605.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/she-kills-monsters-7605.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/she-kills-monsters-7605-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/she-kills-monsters-7605-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/she-kills-monsters-7605-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/she-kills-monsters-7605-576x384.jpg 576w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column special-me is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/discover.online.purdue.edu\/news\/2024\/01\/purdues-prequalified-structures-course-emphasizes-safety.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue\u2019s Prequalified Structures Course Emphasizes Safety in Theater Set Construction<\/a>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Safe theater set construction is essential to a successful performance. When sets are not constructed safely, disaster can ensue. This blog covers how people who build theater sets can use smart engineering principles to keep performers, stage crew members, and the audience safe.&nbsp;<strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/discover.online.purdue.edu\/news\/2024\/01\/purdues-prequalified-structures-course-emphasizes-safety.php\">Read More<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/releases\/2023\/Q1\/purdue-offering-online-prequalified-structures-for-the-stage-course.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue offering online Prequalified Structures for the Stage course<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about Purdue\u2019s Prequalified Structures for the Stage online course, which covers the fundamentals of safe and effective theater set construction. Learn about the importance of safe set construction and the engineering principles that make theater builds successful.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/releases\/2023\/Q1\/purdue-offering-online-prequalified-structures-for-the-stage-course.html\">Read More<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who Should Enroll?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This flexible, self-paced program is ideal for:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Technical directors and stagehands&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Theater set designers and engineers&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Entertainment production managers&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community and school theater managers&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anyone working with scenic structures in live entertainment&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet the Instructor: Technical Director and Author, Rich Dionne&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/Dionne-Headshot-72-dpi-1024x684-3-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/Dionne-Headshot-72-dpi-1024x684-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/Dionne-Headshot-72-dpi-1024x684-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/Dionne-Headshot-72-dpi-1024x684-3-575x384.jpg 575w, https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/Dionne-Headshot-72-dpi-1024x684-3.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Rich Dionne is an associate professor of practice and faculty technical director specializing in scenery automation and show control systems. Additionally, he mentors Multidisciplinary Engineering students concentrating in Theatre Engineering, and is the chair of the Department of Theatre at Purdue University. He has a passion for both the art of theatre and the science and engineering of making theatre happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rich has served as the technical director for numerous productions in the Department of Theatre; prior to coming to Purdue, Rich was the production manager and resident sound designer at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, where he mounted numerous productions at various indoor and outdoor venues, including a nationally-recognized educational touring company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, he has served as the technical director for Berkshire Theatre Festival, Alpine Theatre Project, Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, and Dorset Theatre Festival, mounting critically-acclaimed productions including The Whipping Man, Barefoot in the Park, Amadeus, Night of the Iguana, Avenue Q, The Illusion, and Death of a Salesman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rich is the co-director of Purdue\u2019s Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering. The Fusion Studio connects industry leaders with scholars and practitioners, provides space for development and exploration, and inspires pedagogical innovation at the nexus of engineering and live entertainment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rich is the author of Project Planning for the Stage: Tools and Techniques for Managing Extraordinary Performances (available from Southern Illinois University Press) and is co-author with Michael Gillette of the ninth edition of Theatrical Design and Production (available from McGraw-Hill). He was the Commissioner of Technical Production of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology from 2019 to 2023 and an ETCP-Certified Theatre Rigger (#2928).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2165","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2165"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3514,"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2165\/revisions\/3514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/centers.purdue.edu\/fusion-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}