Because education in the theatre arts is about access to experience, most universities and colleges view their stages as their laboratories, the place where experimentation in design and performance take place. The production schedule, however, usually limits student access to these spaces. Many schools also utilize shops and alternate spaces outfitted with scaled equipment for miniature mock-ups. This session will look at the benefits to a dedicated collaboratory space: a full-scale classroom outfitted for design performance design education and experimentation. The panel will examine the unique case-study of the new, innovative, half tension-wire-grid/half motorized rigging, two-story hybrid designer's “collab-lab” at Texas Tech University. Thanks to our exhibitor for bringing us this session.