Course:A THR 135 (4 Credits)Instructor: Robert Bovard
Office: PAC B59 (In Scene Shop)OfficeHours: Mon, Wed, 1:30 –2:30 or by apt.
Class Schedule: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:25-11:20 Contact: 442-4202 (PAC Scene Shop)
PAC 68 (Studio Theatre) 442-4203 (Office & Voicemail)
Introduction to Technical Theatre is a course in the elements of technical theatre. Topics will include vocabulary, function and coordination of theatre architecture, scenery, lighting, costume and props. The course will consist of three hours of lecture weekly, along with additional assigned laboratory sessions.
Theatre needs only two essentials for it to exist, an actor and an audience. All other aspects of theatre are a false reality created to bring the audience on a journey while telling a story. The suspension of disbelief for the time it takes the actor to tell their story is laid in the hands of directors, designers and theatre practitioners. Theatre is a collaborative art form that all parties involved must be able to communicate their ideas and have a solid vision that they are trying to achieve.
Theatre is a place for reflection, awakening, visioning, and the development of moral awareness. It is a place to challenge beliefs and to understand one’s self in relation to others. In light of recent world events theatre work can often seem frivolous and unimportant. The scale of our activities can sometimes seem insignificant compared to the events around us. Theatre’s role provides a means for reflection, for understanding, and for the making of humanity. We are committed to the artistry that can help guide this journey. We, as individuals, can fulfill this role only if we hone our craft and practice our art.
As you will learn throughout the semester, the volume of equipment, materials and vocabulary we use in life is astronomical. There is not enough time in one semester to cover everything. To that end, the class discussions will concentrate on the odd items; items that need a longer explanation, or ideas that need to be explored. In this course you will take part in our research program through the experience of participating in one of five areas. The lab portion of the course is designed to give you hands on experience in dealing with the design and technical elements. During your lab hours you will assist in mounting the departmental productions this semester. This experience will reinforce and assist in the understanding of material discussed during the class.
The areas in which you may perform your lab hours are the Scene Shop, Electrics Department, Costume Shop, Prop Department, or Paint Department. Initially we will have all students working out of the Scene Shop (for scenery, props, paint and electrics), but it is possible that later in the semester you may choose a specific shop. If you choose the Scene Shop you have the opportunity to both help build scenery as well as to hang and focus lighting units. If you choose the Electrics Department you have the opportunity to hang and focus lighting units as well as maintain and repair lighting equipment. If you choose to work in the Costume Shop, you have the opportunity to help build and alter costumes as well as to maintain stock. If you choose to work in the Prop Department you have the opportunity to help build, locate, and alter the props. If you choose to work in the Paint Department, you have the opportunity to assist in the painting of the scenery.
If you choose to work in the Scene Shop or Prop Department you will be scheduled for either one 4 hour block of time one afternoon per week or two 2 hour blocks of time twice per week. If you choose to work in the Costume Shop you will be scheduled for two 2 hour blocks of time twice per week. The hours the shops are open for lab hours are as follows:
Scene Shop - MW 1:45p - 5:45p, TTH 1:15p - 5:15p;
Prop Department - TTH 1:15p - 5:15p, F 1:45-5:45;
Costume Shop – MTWTH TBD
If you choose the Paint Shop or Electrics Department the hours are not as regular. These crews work most afternoons and possibly Saturdays for the two to three weeks prior to the opening of the productions. The Paint Department involves TTHF afternoons and possibly some Saturdays. The Electrics Department involves TTHF afternoons and possibly some Saturdays. You MUST have the majority of your afternoons available, AND the specific Saturdays, if you choose either of these assignments. A minimum total of 48 hours throughout the semester is required. More hours absolutely, positively cannot hurt your grade, they can only help. The shops and shop supervisors are under no obligation to make work for you at the end of the semester in order to fulfill this requirement. Plan ahead! If you work your scheduled hours each time, you will finish in time and be very productive. The goal of your lab hours is to reinforce ideas discussed in class as well as giving you an opportunity to collaborate on actual productions. Once your schedule form (found on page7) is completed, Costume Shop hours are overseen by, Costume Shop Supervisor, PAC 233, 2-4170. Scene Shop hours are overseen by John KnappScene Shop Supervisor 2-4202. Prop Department and Paint Department hours are overseen by Sarah Pearline, Scene Designer, PAC 351, 2-4209. Electrics Department hours are overseen by Andi Lyons, Lighting Designer, PAC350, 2-4210.
Once your lab time has been designated you must come to a mandatory tool check out/orientation session. If you do not attend a session you will be deregistered. Each lab assignment has individual rules and regulations that you will be informed of during these orientation.
Lab Orientation
The times for these orientations are as follows (you need attend only one session):
Scenery & Props, approx. 1 hour to 1.5 hours: September. 13th15th @ 1:45 & 3:45pm and September 14 from 1:15 & 3:15.
If none of these options fit into your schedule, you will have to take this course in a subsequent semester. The evaluation form is located on page 8 of this syllabus. On page 7 there is a schedule that each student needs to fill out so that your lab hours may be scheduled. This schedule must be returned to me by Friday, January 4th. These lab hours are a very important responsibility that we expect you to take seriously and treat as you would any job. Scene Shop, Prop Department, and Costume Shop hours will begin on September 8th.
When arriving for your orientation and your lab hours a comfortable shirt, jeans, and hard or thick-soled shoes or sneakers are recommended. There are to be NO sandals, flip flops, or any other type of open toed shoes. If you have long hair either put it up in a bun or back in a ponytail. Please do not wear any long necklaces, long earrings, big bracelets, or big rings. When you are working in a shop, you are there to work, not make a fashion statement. This is for your safety. Work involves machinery. If you are in the Paint Department be sure to wear clothing that can be covered in paint.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Please be aware that the production schedule may cause some changes to the subjects, but the tests and assignments will not be changed.
August / 30 / Mon / IntroductionDiscussion of Syllabus and Class
September / 1 / Wed / Theatre Terms and Physical Theatre
Gillette p. 1-20, 36-74
Carter p. 257-263
3 / Fri / Theatre Architecture Styles/Spaces/Tour PAC/Theatre Styles
Gillette p. 36-74
Carter p. 30, 257-263
Class Meets in Lab Theatre
September / 6 / Mon / No Class – Labor Day
8 / Wed / Theatre Production Safety
Gillette p. 235-236
10 / Fri / No Class – Rosh Hashanah
13 / Mon / Production Organization
Gillette p. 6-20
15 / Wed / Stage Management
17 / Fri / Homework Due – Production Organization
Stage Management
20 / Mon / Test #1
22 / Wed / Design Arc
Costume Shop Equipment/Hardware
Gillette p. 438-448, 461-466
24 / Fri / Costume Shop Equipment/Hardware (con’t)
Fibers/Weaves
Gillette p. 467-472
27 / Mon / Fibers/Weaves (con’t)
Painting/Dyeing
Gillette p. 477-480
29 / Wed / Homework Due – Costumes
Costume Construction Demo I
Gillette p. 474-476
Class Meets in Costume Shop
October / 1 / Fri / Homework Due – Costumes
Costume Construction Demo II
Gillette p. 474-476
Class Meets in Costume Shop
October / 4 / Mon / Makeup/Wardrobe/Maintenance
Gillette p. 490-510
6 / Wed / Test #2
8 / Fri / Scenic Materials – Lumber
Gillette p. 208-213
Carter p. 120-126, 130
11 / Mon / Scenic Materials – Lumber (con’t)
Scenic Materials – Fabric/Steel/Plastic/Foam
Gillette p. 214-219, 225-226
Carter p. 111-119, 131-134, 139-149
13 / Wed / Scenic Materials – Fabric/Steel/Plastic/Foam (con’t)
15 / Fri / Adhesives/Hardware/Fasteners
Gillette p. 220-235
Carter p. 49-69, 73-79
18 / Mon / Flat/Platform/Drop Construction
Gillette p. 238-278
Carter p. 276-283
20 / Wed / Flat/Platform/Drop Construction (con’t)
Blueprint Reading/Drafting Conventions
Scene Design Plans/Models
Gillette p. 122-135, 520-534
Carter p. 270-275
22 / Fri / Homework Due – Cut Lists
Scene Shop Equipment – Tools
Gillette p. 186-1207
Carter p. 1-13, 30-38, 201
25 / Mon / Flat Construction Demo
27 / Wed / Homework Due - Tools
Rigging Systems
Gillette p. 57-64
Carter p. 264-267
29 / Fri / Rigging Materials
Gillette p. 197-198, 229-235
Carter p. 66-67, 70-72, 84-107
November / 1 / Mon / Test #3
3 / Wed / Electricity/Dimmers
Gillette p. 374-384, 408-417, 420-425
Carter p. 165-172
November / 5 / Fri / Homework Due – Electricity
Instruments/Color/Lamps
Gillette p. 385-407
Carter p. 173-198
8 / Mon / Instruments/Color/Lamps (con’t)
10 / Wed / Control Boards/Lightplots
Gillette p. 412-417, 344-351
Carter p. 181-183
12 / Fri / Electrics Demo
Meet in Main Theatre
15 / Mon / Sound Equipment
Gillette p. 511-545
17 / Wed / Test #4
Paper Due – Dear Harvey
19 / Fri / Properties
Gillette p. 312-337
22 / Mon / Properties (con’t)
24 / Wed / No Class – Thanksgiving Break
26 / Fri / No Class – Thanksgiving Break
29 / Mon / Scene Painting – Color
Gillette p. 281-311
Carter p. 25-29, 134, 138-139
December / 1 / Wed / Homework Due – Properties
Scene Painting - Materials/Tools
3 / Fri / Special Effects – Projections/Pyro
Gillette p. 426-437
Carter p. 26-28
6 / Mon / Test #5
8 / Wed / Review for Final Exam
Lab Journals Due
Final Exam day, Monday December 13 10:30pm-12:30pm
Attendance:
Class: Attending the class is expected, since your input to the discussions is valuable. The majority of the class times will be spent in a lecture situation. You should approach the class as a combo of lecture and seminar. The more engaged you are the more you will get out of the class. Occasionally, things will come up that may take priority over the class. You may miss 3 classes without penalty, excused/unexcused they all count. After 3 absences your grade will be reduced 5% then a subsequent 5% for every 2 absences after. As this adds up very quickly I suggest you save them for special occasions. Note: being late to class two times will equal one absence. If you are going to miss a scheduled test for a very valid reason, you must contact me PRIOR to the scheduled test time and arrange for a makeup time. You will not be allowed to make up a test without a valid, documented reason from the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
Lastly, TURN OFF your cell phone. There is no texting or talking on the phone during class. If your cell phone rings during class or you are texting, you have 2 options: the first is to buy the whole class donuts at the next class, the other is to have 2 points deducted from your FINAL grade. The donuts will be much less expensive to you.
Lab Hours: Attending your SCHEDULED lab hours is essential. If you are not going to be able to make your lab hours, for whatever reason, you must call and inform your appropriate supervisor. Depending on which lab you are in, you may be able to make up the hours.
Academic Integrity: All students agree to abide by the Standards of Academic Integrity as outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Failure to abide by these standards will result in an automatic failure of the course, which will prevent the student from withdrawing from the course per Penalties and Procedures for Violations of Academic Integrity as described in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Grading:
Option 1*Option 2**
45% - Test Grades 55% - Test Grades
10% - Final Exam12% - Papers/Journal
12% - Papers/Journal8% - Homework/Quizzes
8% - Homework/Quizzes25% - Lab Crew Hours
25% - Lab Crew Hours
*Option 1: There are 5 tests during the course of the semester. I will drop your lowest grade. The final is cumulative and will be given on the day specified by the registrar. All questions on the final will come directly from your tests, so hold on to them and make appropriate corrections when we go over them. The tests are short answer and identifications. Items discussed in class as well as information in your readings and posted online are fair game.
**Option 2: There are 5 tests during the course of the semester, one on each area of technical theatre. Under this option, there is no final, however, all 5 of your tests count.
You do not need to decide right now which grading option you are choosing. However, at the end of the semester you should look at your grades and make the appropriate decision. If you take the final and turn it in, you have chosen Option 1. If you do not take the final, you have chosen Option 2. What it boils down to is this: If I have to correct the final, it counts.
Homework/Quizzes: Throughout the semester there will be various homework assignments. The style of the homework will vary as will the amount of time you have to do the assignment. All homework due dates are listed in the class schedule. Late homework will not be accepted. A number (probably about 1 per week on the reading) of short unannounced quizzes will also be given during the semester. These will not last longer than 10 minutes at the start of a class. If you are late, your time will be cut short.
Lab Crew Hours: This portion of your grade will be determined by your attitude toward the assignments, your responsibility (attendance record, showing up ready to work, etc.), your ability to be an asset to the crew, and your growth throughout the semester (did you show improvement, etc.). You will not pass the class if you do not pass your lab hours.
Papers: During the semester you are required to attend the departmental productions and write a three to five page paper on each show. (Ticket information is available from the Performing Arts Center Box Office, 442-3995. The Box Office is located on the first floor in the lobby to the left of the big stairs as you enter the building.) The paper should explain YOUR thoughts about the technical aspects of the show. The paper is not meant to be a review of the plot of the show nor a comment on the acting. (I know the plot, I will have both seen and read the show. As this is not an Acting class, for purposes of this paper I do not care about the acting.) IN YOUR OPINION, did the technical aspects contribute to the show or not? In what way did they or did they not contribute? Did any technical element overpower the others? Was there a specific element that seemed neglected or not fully utilized? Did you notice any technical mistakes? (i.e. bad sightlines, jumped cues, missing props, etc.) From our discussions in class about materials and tools, do you think a different choice could have been made in construction? Feel free to point out specific items you worked on in your lab hours and how it contributed to the overall production. There are no right or wrong papers as long as you express your opinion in the paper. Take a stand and justify it. For example do not just write that the lighting wasn’t good. Instead, write that you did not like the lighting because it was too dark and did not allow you to see the action of the play. Continue with a further explanation as to whether this was the case throughout the show or just in one specific scene. Please include either at the end or beginning of the paper which performance you attended. Your paper’s grade will be a reflection of how specific you were in justifying your argument, proper use of grammar, and spelling (run spell check, it’s simple, it’s quick). Use a standard page setup in terms of font (Courier or Times New Roman 12pt.), margin size (1” top and bottom, 1” left and right), and line spacing (1.5 times). A five page paper is not very long compared to some of the papers you will write at this university. I will read and comment on your paper anytime prior to the due date. If you would like to write the paper early and have me read it I will be happy to do so. You can then have an opportunity to rewrite it.
Journal: As part of your lab hours, you will keep a journal about each of the days you work. These entries do not have to be long but you should reflect on what transpired in your lab hours. For example: Do you feel you were productive? What new tool did you learn to use? What new skill did you learn? Did the supervisors and TAs adequately explain the work to you? These journals can be done in any format. Have fun in the reflection. Please do them the day of your lab hours so it is clear. If you wait until the end of the semester it will be obvious and you will not do as well in this area as you should.
Grade Conversions:
A = 94 – 100 / B+ = 87 – 89 / C+ = 77 – 79 / D+ = 67 – 69A- = 90 – 93 / B = 84 – 86 / C = 74 – 76 / D = 64 – 66
B- = 80 – 83 / C- = 70 – 73 / D- = 60 – 63
Extra Credit: