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Course Name: Introduction to Technical Production 
Course Prefix: THEA
Course Number: 1053
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Herb Garman, herbgarman@weber.edu

Current Date:  10/30/2009
College: Arts & Humanities
Department:   Performing Arts                              
From Term: Fall  2010 

Substantive

new 

Current Course Subject N/A
Current Course Number

New/Revised Course Information:

Subject:  THEATR            

Course Number: 1053

 Check all that apply:
    This is for courses already approved for gen ed.
    Use a different form for proposing a new gen ed designation.
DV  SI  CA  HU  LS  PS  SS 
EN  AI  QL  TA  TB  TC  TD  TE

Course Title: Introduction to Technical Production

Abbreviated Course Title:

Course Type:  LEC

Credit Hours:  3  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture 3  Lab    Other

Repeat Information:  Limit 0   Max Hrs 0 

Grading Mode:  standard

This course is/will be: a required course in a major program
a required course in a minor program
a required course in a 1- or 2- year program
elective

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

None

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

An introduction to the production components of live theatre in which students will develop an awareness of technical aspects including scenery, lighting, costume, properties and sound. Students are expected to attend theatre performances outside of regularly scheduled class time. This course is recommended for non-theatre majors and minors.

Justification: The focus of this course is the collaborative process between director, designers, technicians, and theatrical managers. Students will be introduced to the five aspects of technical production for the theatre (lighting, scenery, properties, costumes, and sound) and how each supports the vision of the director and the presentation to a live audience. The course will include demonstrations of the technology and design components of all five areas. This course is aimed at non-theatre majors who have an interest in the design and technology process from conception to actualization.

INFORMATION PAGE
for substantive proposals only

1. Did this course receive unanimous approval within the Department?

true

If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

2. If this is a new course proposal, could you achieve the desired results by revising an existing course within your department or by requiring an existing course in another department?

No. This would be the only introductory course for non-majors focused on design and technical elements.

3. How will the proposed course differ from similar offerings by other departments? Comment on any subject overlap between this course and topics generally taught by other departments, even if no similar courses are currently offered by the other departments. Explain any effects that this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other department. Please forward letters (email communication is sufficient) from all departments that you have identified above stating their support or opposition to the proposed course.

No such course is offered outside the department.

4. Is this course required for certification/accreditation of a program?

no

If so, a statement to that effect should appear in the justification and supporting documents should accompany this form.

5. For course proposals, e-mail a syllabus to Faculty Senate which should be sufficiently detailed that the committees can determine that the course is at the appropriate level and matches the description. There should be an indication of the amount and type of outside activity required in the course (projects, research papers, homework, etc.).

Intro to Technical Theatre

Fall 2010

Tuesday/Thursday:

 

 

Instructor: Herb Garman

Val A. Browning Center Room 105B: Office hours by appointment.

herbgarman@weber.edu (please include (Class number) in the subject heading)

Overview

Introduction to Technical Theatre is an introduction to the five primary technical production components of theatre including scenery, lighting, costume, properties and sound. The course will use lecture, classroom demonstration, text and supplemental materials to explore these areas. Students are expected to attend theatre performances outside of regularly scheduled class time. This course is recommended for non-theatre majors and minors.

Course Materials

Required Text: Drew Campbell: Technical Theatre for Non-Technical People

Other Materials: Course syllabus, classroom lecture PowerPoint presentations, technical terms with definitions, study guides and other supplemental materials will be posted on Blackboard.

Objectives

1. To gain an understanding of the technical aspects of theatre or other live productions and how they support the overall goals of the production.

2. To be able to perform an in-depth analysis of the different technical elements and how each contributes to the overall production

3. To be able to write a brief analysis of one technical component of a theatrical or other live production and one complete analysis of a theatrical production covering all five technical elements using the knowledge of gained from class room lectures, demonstrations, text and terms.

4. To be able to participate in classroom conversations about daily material and productions.

Definitions - Five Technical Elements

Lighting Design and Technology – The study of the basic elements of lighting design and technologies that are used by designers to enhance the action of the stage. Shadows, colors, angle, mood and setting will be discussed in addition to different forms of lighting instruments and their use within the design.

Costume Design and Technology – The study of costume types and construction techniques used by designers to shape characters on the stage. How costume styles, types and quality affect our perception of characters is covered in these sections.

Scenery Design and Construction – The study of the design techniques and technologies used to create and build the stage elements that give a physical life to the production. Components such as flats, platforms, revolves, drops and painting techniques will be studied.

Sound Design – The study of the interaction of sound within a theatrical production and how it used by the designer to influence moods, emotions and perceptions in support of the director’s concepts.

Stage Properties – The study of stage properties and their use in development of characters, stage settings and the depth and believability of the overall scenic design. Design, construction and acquisition of properties will also be covered in this section

Papers

Two papers are required for the course. The first is an analysis of one technical aspect of a live production. The second is an in-depth analysis all five elements of a theatrical production.

Term Paper – In-depth analysis of a live theatrical production – 4-5 page paper on the technical aspects of a WSU theater program production. The paper should include detailed descriptions / critiques of ALL five aspects of scenery, properties, lighting, costuming, and sound as well as any other technical aspects you feel are pertinent.

The paper should include a title page, be original*, typed/printed, double spaced, single sided and represent the standards of university work. Margins shall be no more then one inch on any side. Twelve-(12) point font is the largest font accepted. Hard copies of the term papers are required and need to be "checked in" with the instructor no later than November 24 at (time). Electronic copies of the paper will not be accepted.

Paper is due on November 24 by (time)

Papers may be turned in before the due date.

10 percent (one letter grade) will be subtracted from the grade of lat e papers for each day the paper is late. There are no exceptions.

Single Element Analysis – 2-3 page paper on one technical aspect of a live performance. The paper should include detailed description / critique of one of five technical aspects selected from scenery, properties, lighting, costuming or sound. The paper is due no later then October 21. Papers may be turned in early. Electronic papers will not be accepted. 10 percent (one letter grade) will be subtracted from the grade of late papers for each day the paper is late. There are no exceptions. See the section above for paper format.

Exams and Quizzes

The course is broken up into three sections. Each section is followed by an exam. While there is not a single cumulative exam, material from previous exams may be covered on current exams. The exams are primarily made up of multiple choice and true false questions. They will be 50 questions each. Short answers and/or essay questions may also be used. The exams make up 45% of the final grade. NO MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. In special circumstances a " pre-test" may arranged with the instructor.

There will be 5 quizzes scattered throughout the semester. Some will be posted on Blackboard and completed online and others will be completed in class. Quizzes will be in true/false, multiple choice or short answer formats. Quizzes account for 10% of the final grade.

Theatre Tours

The class will do an in-depth tour of the performance spaces in the Browning Center. During the tour we will discuss theatre architecture and its influence on the production and presentation styles, look at technical controls and system backstage and visit areas such as the costume and scenery production shops. During the tours please wear closed toes shoes such as athletic shoes or boots and clothing that you do not mind getting a bit dusty. The tours will be broken into three groups so that smaller groups have the opportunity to see and explore during the tours. See the class schedule for dates for the tour assigned by last name.

Class Communication

Communication between the students and instructor outside of class is primarily through Weber State University email. (If WSU email is not your system of choice, please be certain to utilize the forwarding feature.) Office hours are by appointment by emailing the instructor. The syllabus, course documents, study guides and other class materials will be posted on Blackboard. Class notifications, changes and other information will be sent by email. Please check your email daily.

Misc. Course Policies

Attendance in class is required as tests are primarily based on lectures and classroom demonstrations.

Attending two WSU DPA Theatre productions is required. Tests will include information from the performances. Students must purchase tickets before the performances at the Student Union Information desk or the Dee Event Center Ticket office. The shows will sell out quickly so get your tickets in advance.

Turn off all cell phones before class. Any person with a ringing cell phone will be asked to leave for the day. This includes exams. Text messaging is also not allowed as it creates a disturbance to those around you.

Please arrive on time as the class will begin on time. If you are going to be more then 15 minutes late to class, please do not attend. Your late entrance disturbs the class

Do not leave the class early unless you have made prior arrangements. Take care of all personal matter before you enter the classroom. If you leave for any reason, please do not return as your exit and entrance creates a disturbance within the classroom.

During examination periods, two pencils and something to write on will be allowed. Electronic devices (including cell phones, PDAs or music players), food or beverages of any kind will not be allowed during the exam periods. Backpacks will remained closed at all time.

Grading Scale

 

A 93-100

A- 90-92

B+ 87-89

B 83-86

B- 80-82

C+ 77-79

C 73-76

C- 70-72

D+ 67-69

D 63-66

D- 60-62

F 59 and below

 

Exams: 45%

Term Paper: 25%

Analysis Paper 15%

Quizzes: 10%

Attendance 5%

Total 100%

*WSU Student Code

According to the WSU Student Code, Students must maintain academic ethics and honesty. To this end, the following activities are specifically prohibited:

A. Cheating, which includes but is not limited to:

1) Copying from another student's test;

2) Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test;

3) Collaborating with any other person during a test without authorization;

4) Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part the contents of any test without authorization of the appropriate University official

B. Plagiarism, which is the unacknowledged (uncited) use of any other person’s or group’s ideas or work. This includes purchased or borrowed papers;

C. Collusion, which is the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing work offered for credit.

Infractions of the Student Code will result in a failing grade for the semester.

Note:

The syllabus is subject to change during the semester. Notification will be given before any change(s) occur. Please see classroom communication for more information about notification methods.

 

Intro to Technical Theatre

Fall 2010

Schedule

Aug. 24 Introduction – Attendance and Syllabus

26 History of Stagecraft – Cavemen to the Romans

31 History of Stagecraft Part 2 – Renaissance to the modern day

Sept. 2 Theatre Architecture – Theater spaces and how they affect the production Reading Assignment: (Chapter 2 for Tours)

7 Tour of the Browning Center performance spaces (Last Names A-H)

9 Tour Continued (Last Names I-P)

14 Tour Continued (Last Names Q-Z)

Reading Assignment: (Chapter 1)

16 Production Organization / Production Process – People and process

Reading Assignment: (Chapter 3 pgs 31-43, 45-61)

21 Scenic Design – Designing a world and building it on stage

Reading Assignment: (Chapter 4)

23 Kinds of Scenery: Floor Plans and Technical Drawings

28 Review for 1st Exam (catch-up day)

Oct. 30 Exam #1

Reading Assignment: (Chapter 3 pgs 43-45)

5 Scenic Arts (Paint) - Adding color to the illusion

7 Design Presentation (Show TBD) in Eccles Theater

12 Writing Workshop

Reading Assignment: (Chapter 11)

14 Stage Properties - Design, construction and collection

19 Lighting Design – Setting and shaping the scene with light

21 Lighting Technology – Lighting fixtures and other technologies

(Single Element Analysis Paper Due)

26 Review for 2nd Exam (catch-up day)

28 Exam # 2

31 Halloween (Beware the Great Pumpkin)

Nov. 2 No Class - Exchange for Performance Attendance

4 Design Presentation (Show TBD) in Allred Theater

9 Sound Design – How sound is used to influence and affect an audience

11 Costume Design and Production – Dress up the actors to make it real

16 Stage Mechanics / Effects (Film: Real Big Things: KA) – Modern technology and its use on the stage

18 Theatrical Make – The art of changing the human face

23 (PAPERS DUE: check in)

25 No Class Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 30 Stage and Production Management - Managing all the technical aspects

2 Review for Final

Final Examination: TBA