At URTAs, I froze. A designer I admired asked how I’d change an old ground plan—and I blanked. His response stuck with me for years. But that moment taught me something far more valuable than any praise could have: the instinct to re-enter your work.

This new course project highlights how theatrical training extends beyond the stage. Students at Stephens College designed a Studio Ghibli–inspired immersive restaurant, blending scenic design, costume, branding, and menu development into a professional-scale themed entertainment pitch. The result: a fully realized dining concept where storytelling and hospitality merge into a multi-sensory guest experience.