Research the specific theater skills needed for the type of career you want. For example, if you only want to work with rock bands, you will need primarily sound-related skills and electrical knowledge. If, on the other hand, you want to be a successful Broadway-caliber stage design professional, a 4-year academic theater design degree program is an essential starting point.
Attend a wide variety of theatrical performances to observe lighting, sound and staging techniques. Participate in a community theater to gain a fuller understanding of the intricacies of performance and the staging elements necessary to make a performance successful.
Apply to those schools offering the program you seek. Major colleges and universities in both New York and California --- hubs of the entertainment industry --- specialize in theater design degree programs. However, other colleges throughout the country also offer theater studies programs. Seek out the program best suited to your needs and abilities; if possible, choose a program offering practical, hands-on work in the theater as part of your studies.
Complete the selected college or university degree program with a high level of academic achievement. Take every opportunity offered through the program to apply the skills you are learning in a real-world theater environment.
Apply for internships or work-study opportunities in the theater during your schooling and after you have completed your degree program to gain real-world experience and make social and professional connections in the entertainment industry.