Theatre Courses: Design and Production

DESCRIPTION OF COURSES - TECHNICAL THEATRE

 

Course Title:  Elements of Production

Target students:  Juniors (strongly recommended), sophomores, and freshmen
Pre-requisite:  none
Number of times course can be taken:  1
Seating priority:  majors followed by MPA majors
Credit per semester:  .50
Meeting time: daily

Description:
This course is designed to introduce theatrically inclined students to the basics of stagecraft, including scene painting, scene construction, lighting, costuming, props, and makeup.  The class will be divided up into sections and will be team taught.
Scene painting and props
Lighting and Stage Management
Tool and set construction,
Costume basics, taught
Makeup basics, taught

Objectives:   

  • To familiarize students to theatrical terms used in the production process.
  • To gain hands-on experience in scene painting, makeup application, costuming, and lighting.
  • To acquaint the student to practical aspects of stage management.


Student performance:  

Student will demonstrate ability to perform basic skills in each discipline covered. 
Student will be tested on comprehension of technical terms Applied to theater.

Assessment: 

Team teachers will evaluate student participation and test for understanding of terms and principles applied to each technical section.

Text/materials needed: 

Standard makeup kit.  (Kit can be purchased from Suzanne Mason)              
Loose fitting clothing, close toed shoes. (paint clothes)                                  

Course Title: Fundamentals of Design

Target Students: Technical Theatre Majors
Pre-requisite: Instructor Permission
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating Priority: Theatre Majors, MPA Majors, Non-majors if space allows
Credits per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Daily

Description

This course is covers design principles for the entertainment world with an emphasis on theatrical design.  Drawing and drafting are introduced as the basics of theatrical design.

Objectives
To present the students the basics of design for the entertainment world.
To analyze and research the script for style and point of view
To explore the students area of concentration
To establish a portfolio for further educational advancement

Student Performance
Project and design exercises are given
Written design concepts for selected plays
Verbal and written analysis of all division productions covering all aspects of lighting, sound design, set design and costuming.

Assessment

Evaluation of finished projects.
Creative analysis of selected scripts.

Text/Materials Needed
Paul Carter, Back Stage Handbook
Drafting equipment determined by the instructor

INDEPENDENT STUDIES/TECHNICAL THEATRE APPRENTICESHIPS

Prerequisite: Elements of Production, Fundamentals of Design or by Instructor permission
Semester course, .50 credits per semester, meets per arrangement with instructor

Scenic Design
Lighting Design
Costume Design
Sound Design
Stage Management

Independent studies will be organized and graded by the Technical Theatre faculty member in conjunction with the campus supervisor (personnel of the Costume Shop, IPR Productions, Corson Production Services, individual faculty director, and/or other designated instructor).  Apprenticeships may incorporate tests and approaches described in those design courses listed above.