In-Person · Temecula, CA · All Abilities Welcome · Scholarships Available

Every stunning set, perfectly placed spotlight, and costume that transforms an actor — that's the magic of backstage production. And in this class, you're the one creating it.
This hands-on course gives students a real, behind-the-scenes look at live theater production. Led by our Creative Director, you'll get your hands on set construction, lighting design, costume creation, and prop making — then apply every skill to a live production that culminates in our Winter Showcase.
No experience necessary. Just bring your creativity and willingness to build something real.





Set Construction — Build and design immersive stage environments from concept to reality
Lighting Design — Learn how lighting shapes mood, emotion, and storytelling
Costume Creation — Design and assemble costumes that transform characters
Prop Making — Construct props that add realism and depth to a live performance
Stage Management — Understand the logistics and coordination of running a live production
Get Hands-On Experience — Work directly on real theater productions, not just exercises
Collaborate with a Team — Build communication and teamwork skills that last a lifetime
Boost Your Confidence — Learn technical skills that open doors in theater, film, and live events
Unleash Your Creativity — Design and create original sets, props, and costumes from scratch
Expand Your World — Discover a career path or creative passion you never knew you had
Whether you're an aspiring stagehand, designer, or creative problem solver — this is the class that shows you what's possible.

Katie McColm brings a rare combination of fine art, design, and production experience to the JDS Creative Academy classroom. Her arts journey began at Laguna Beach High School, where she fell in love with performance and design. After earning her cosmetology license and diving deep into color theory and visual design, she founded her own fire spinning production company — including a 6-year artist residency at the Downtown Anaheim Art Crawl and a feature appearance on KTLA's morning show.
Katie showcased her visual art across Los Angeles and Orange County through RAW Artists and Art & Chocolate events, earning features in the LA Weekly and the OC Register. She later earned her Interior Design degree Cum Laude, then joined JDS Creative Academy — where she immediately set the bar high, designing the studio for DigiFest and creating the full sets, props, and costumes for The Wizard of Oz.
Classes begin Wednesday, August 26, 2026 and meet on the following dates:
August: 26
September: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
October: 7, 14, 21, 28
November: 4, 11, 18 (No class Thanksgiving week — Nov. 25)
December: 2, 9, 16
Winter Showcase: December 18–20, 2026 Backstage Production students will collaborate with Scriptwriting, Musical Theater, and Film to bring this semester's work to life on stage!


© Copyright JDS Creative Academy 2026. JDS Creative Academy. All Rights Reserved.
JDS Studio © 2026 All Rights Reserved
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