SYLLABUS

THEA 2290, STAGECRAFT

FALL SEMESTER, 2004

 

Class Meeting Time and Place: 

 

10:00-10:50  In The Townsend Center Scene Shop and the Martha Munro Lighting Lab

 

SHOP HOURS:                                                                                    OFFICE HOURS:

 

2:00-5:00 Daily                                                                                    8:30-11:00 TR & by apt.

TCPA Scene Shop Phone # 830-3144                                     ROOM 202C Martha Munro

                                                                                                            Phone # 836-4566

 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

 

THE BACKSTAGE HANDBOOK, Paul Carter, Broadway Press, 3rd ed.

 

THE ILLUSTRATED THEATRE PRODUCTION GUIDE, John Holloway, Focal Press

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

 

Each student must purchase the following for the successful completion of this course:

 

1.      A 25' Tape Measure (may be purchased at any hardware store in town or through me for a cost of $12.00)

2.      Safety Glasses or goggles. ( may be purchased in the bookstore)

3.      Ear plugs or muffs.

 

It is further suggested that each student purchase the following:

 

1. Leather Work Gloves

2. Back Support Brace

3. A Crescent Wrench

 

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 

This course will give the student an introduction to various elements of theatrical production.


Areas of focus include the design and engineering of scenery and lighting for the stage.  The course is open to all students, but is mainly geared to the Theatre major, as it prepares the student for involvement in technical production work.  This course will enhance the student’s communication and critical thinking skills as team projects and assignments are a vital part of STAGECRAFT.  Likewise, the student will develop practical skills and techniques by working on realized productions for the Theatre Company’s season.  Essentially, upon the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

 

1.  Identify the basic types of theatres, their major differences and respective stagings.

 

2.  Identify, understand and be able to operate the basic scene and costume shop and equipment.

 

3.  Apply the basic techniques involved in scenery construction, some scenic painting, stage lighting, rigging and backstage organization.

 

4.  Exhibit and understand theatre safety policies and procedures.

 

5.  Express their knowledge of theatrical technology both practically through classroom assignments and in writing through examinations and special research projects.

 

6.      Serve on an assigned crew for at least one Theatre Company production during this semester.

 

7.  Use the Internet as a tool for research in technical theatre.

 

8.  Read and understand a basic light plot and ground plan/section.

 

STUDENT EVALUATION

 

The STAGECRAFT student will be evaluated for a final grade based on the following criteria:

 

1. Crew Assignment   50 points

2. Research paper  50 points

3. Proficiency with tools and techniques. (Class Projects and tool exam)  100 points

4. Mid-Term  Examination    50 points

5. Final Examination   50 points

 

GRADING SCALE

 

300-275 points = A

274-200 points = B

199-150 points = C

149-100 points = D

BELOW 100 POINTS IS AN “F”

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The student is expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. Missing more than two class meetings will result in a five-point deduction in your grade per absence.

 


 

Preliminary Course Schedule

 

WEEK ONE

 

8/23                          INTRODUCTION AND EXPLANATION OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS-  SCENE SHOP OPENS FOR CREW

 

8/25                          TYPES OF THEATRES AND THE PROPERTIES OF THE PROSCENIUM THEATRE ( AUDITIONS )

 

8/27                          HAND TOOL ORIENTATION / ASSIGN CREW POSITIONS  CHAPTER TEN AND THE BACKSTAGE HANDBOOK

 

WEEK TWO

 

8/30                          “POWER TOOLS 101" CARTER 32-37

CLASS SUPPLIES DUE TODAY!!!!

 

9/1                               SHOP SAFETY AND HEALTH/ WOOD, LUMBER AND OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS  CHAPTER NINE

 

9/3                            SHOP SUPPLIES AND HARDWARE   CHAPTERS SEVEN AND EIGHT

 

WEEK THREE                         

 

9/6                                NO CLASS- LABOR DAY

 

9/8                              TOOLS AND SUPPLIES EXAM

 

9/10                              THEATRICAL RIGGING   CHAPTER THREE

 

 

WEEK FOUR

 

9/13                              RIGGING AND DRAPERIES AND DROPS   CHAPTER  FIVE 

 

9/15                             ROPES AND KNOT TYING   CHAPTER FOUR

 

9/17                              RIGGING AND KNOT TYING EXAM

 

 

WEEK FIVE

 

9/20                             FLATS, STEPS AND DECKS  CHAPTERS TWELVE, THIRTEEN AND FOURTEEN

 

LOAD IN FOR Noises Off !  IS THIS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25th  AT 9:00AM  SEE YOU THERE IF YOU ARE ON CREW OR ARE A THEATRE MAJOR!  See production calendar for crew calls and times.

 

 

WEEK SIX                MEET IN MARTHA MUNRO DRAFTING LAB

 

9/27                          READING AND TRANSLATING THE DESIGNER’S SUBMISSIONS

 

9/29                          CREATING WORKING DRAWINGS

 

10/1                          COMMUNICATING ON PAPER

 

 

WEEK SEVEN

 

10/4                          REVIEW FOR MID-TERM EXAMINATION

 

10/6                          MID-TERM EXAMINATION IN THE DRAFTING LAB

 

10/8                          ELECTRICITY  CHAPTER SIX

 

 

 

WEEK EIGHT

 

STRIKE FOR NOISES OFF!  SUNDAY OCTOBER 10TH AFTER THE SHOW!

 

10/11                        THE GRAPHICS OF LIGHTING DESIGN CARTER 181                              

 

10/13                           INSTRUMENTATION, LAMPS

 

10/15                        NO CLASS-THE GEORGIA THEATRE CONFERENCE IN SAVANNAH, GA

 

 

 

WEEK NINE

 

 

10/18                             RULES OF THE HANG CARTER 177-186 

 

10/20                        CONTROL AND DISTRIBUTION, DIMMERS AND CONTROL BOARD

 

10/22                          PROGRAMMING/ WRITING CUES

 

WEEK TEN AND ELEVEN

 

 

10/25                         LIGHTING EXERCISES

 

 

LOAD IN FOR DIMLEY PERCIEVED THREATS TO THE SYSTEM   IS THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH AT 9:00 AM .  IF YOU ARE ON CREW OR ARE A MAJOR, SEE YOU THERE! CREW SCHEDULE IS POSTED ON THE PRODUCTION CALENDAR.

 

WEEK TWELVE

 

11/8                            THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SOUND

 

11/10                       WIRING AND CONNECTORS /RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNED.

 

11/12                        READING BASIC DIAGRAMS   

 

 

 

WEEK THIRTEEN

 

11/15                        THE SOUND SYSTEM AND ITS EQUIPMENT, OPERATION CARE AND       

                                MAINTAINANCE OF SOUND EQUIPMENT ,

 

11/17                        PRODUCTION RECORDINGS AND

                                .

 

11/19                        SOUND CUE WRITING

 

WEEK FOURTEEN

 

11/22                        RESEARCH DAY

 

 

WEEK FIFTEEN

 

11/29                        RESEARCH PAPER DUE NO MATTER WHAT.

 

12/1                          FINAL PROJECTS WORK IN CLASS

                                CATCH UP WITH OUR WORK AS NEEDED

 

12/5     REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAMINATION

 

12/17   FINAL EXAMINATION AT 8:00 AM