Course Purpose:

1. To create or improve students' awareness and respect for the technology and design involved in stage productions. The course will familiarize students with design procedures for various areas in live theatre and dance production.
2. To aquaint the students with particular equipment and facilities available in Coleman and Tustin theatres.
3. To improve the students' ability to conceptualize design ideas and communicate them to the production team clearly using verbal and visual means.

This course is intended to instill the confidence and basic knowledge necessary to function in many different environments including, but not limited to, the facilities in Coleman and Tustin theatres. The course is intended to create a pool of capable students interested in designing, and providing technical support for stage productions.
Expected Results of the Course

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Understand the function of a production team, including script reading and notation, design meetings, production meetings, technical analysis, rehearsals.
2. Understand basic electrical theory
3. Safely use tools and materials to build and rig stage scenery
4. Operate sound playback and recording equipment.
5. Identify all major areas and equipment in the physical theatre space.
6. Develop computer skills relevant to the production process
7. Safely and efficiently rig from a lighting plot
8. Effectively utilize verbal and visual means to illustrate design ideas.
9. Identify most types of lighting instruments, electrical cable, connectors and lamps

Classroom discussion / lecture followed by hands-on demonstration / usage of current subject matter.

Text

1. Theatrical Design and Production

   3rd ed. J. Michael Gillette

1. Several brief quizzes on recent topics discussed in class.
2. Several projects demonstrating design approaches and concepts and an understanding of the procedures, methods and equipment presented in class.
3. The grading breaks down as follows:
   • Quiz 1 10%
   • Project 1 10%
   • Quiz 2 10%
   • Project 2 10%
   • Quiz 3 10%
   • Project 3 10%
   • Quiz 4 10%
   • Project 4 10%
   • Final Project
4. Three (3) unexcused absences will result in a lower grade by one letter.

1. Twenty-seven (27) class meetings + one (1) final exam period.
2. Approximately one (1) topic covered in class per period followed by practical discussion of equipment, techniques and discussions of design aesthetics and concepts.
3. Field trips and professional visitors will augment classroom discussion whenever available and appropriate.
4. Everyone is required to attend the mainstage Theatre and Dance performances during the semester.

1. There is a thirty (30) hour lab requirement in which you must work in one of the shops. (Costume, Electrics, Carpentry, Paint, Props) 15 hours must be completed by fall break. The remainder must be completed before finals.
2. Everyone should work on the mainstage production light rigs and strikes. (They count as lab hours.) They are scheduled as follows.

1. Lighting Dimensions - lighting magazine
2. Theatre Crafts International (TCI) - entertainment design and tech magazine
3. The Backstage handbook - Paul Ca

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