THEA 2420 Theatrical Design Basics – Syllabus

Fall ’10 - Tuesday / Thursday 11:15am – 12:35pm

Brooks Gym room 104

Instructors:                            Karen Brewster                     Melissa Shafer

Office:                                                116 Brooks Gym                    116 Brooks Gym

Phone:                                    439-5827                                 439-5837

E-mail:                                    Brewster@etsu.edu               Shaferm@etsu.edu

Course Objectives: This technology intensive course is intended to give the student a foundation in theatrical design that includes a vocabulary of design terminology needed by all actors, directors, designers and technicians.  The prerequisite for this course is THEA 1520 Stagecraft.

Expected Outcomes:  As a result of taking this course the student will be able to:

• Analyze a play script from a theatrical designer’s perspective
• Translate a play analysis into visual terms thus creating a meaningful and functional theatrical design
• Collaboratively work with others to create a unified production concept and design
• Learn and understand the basic elements of visual composition
• Appreciate the evolution of Western period styles in Architecture, Fashion and

         Interior Design

• Identify and use various artist’s materials, including technology, in order to effectively render Scenic, Costume, and Lighting design ideas

Major Topics Covered:  Play Analysis for the Designer; Elements and Principles of Design; Scenery, Costumes, and Lighting for the Stage; Collaboration.

Assigned Readings: Reading Assignments will be on D2L throughout the semester.  Students will be given various assignments relating to these readings.  Students are expected to check D2L regularly for updates relating to these assignments.

Teaching Methods for this course:  The teaching methods for this course will include lecture, discussion, readings, writings, hands-on exercises, video presentations, and other multi-media presentational methods.  

This course is web-enhanced.  Please get into the habit of regularly accessing the D2L location for this class.  The addresses for login and assistance are:

https://elearn.etsu.edu/       http://www.etsu.edu/d2l/

Students will submit assignments for this course via digital drop box in the D2L site.

Please Note:

• This course adheres to the tenets of Academic Honesty.  Any infractions will be dealt with appropriately.
• Any student who may need an accommodation based on disability; please make an appointment to see Melissa Shafer or Karen Brewster.  A Faculty Accommodation Form from Disability Services authorizing your accommodations is required.

Course Projects / Evaluation:

                Daily Grade                                                                          50 %

Class participation, quiz and exercise grades

                Final Design Project                                                            30%

                                Design Project – scenic                       10%

                                Design Project – costume                   10%

                                Design Project – lighting                     10%

Research Notebook                                                            20%

• Research Notebook - You are to turn in a (hard copy or electronic) notebook that contains all of your work on the script analysis and design research.  Your research should include information on the play, playwright, the social and political context of the script, and any other pertinent data relating to the visual look of the show. 

• Design Project

• Scenic – You are responsible for designing the set for your assigned play.  This will include research on the play’s environment and then creating thumbnail sketches of your ideas.  You will create a ground plan and rendering or paper model for the play.  In addition, you will turn in a notebook that contains all of your research and paperwork created throughout the process.

• Costume – You are responsible for designing the costumes for your assigned play.  This will include research on the play’s characters and creating sketches of your ideas for all characters in the play.

• Lighting – You are responsible for creating the lighting design for your assigned play.  This will entail creating story boards, a cue breakdown, and a cue list for the assigned play.

Your final design projects will be based on play assignments given to you by the instructors.  As this course is technology intensive, all projects will utilize some aspect of technology.

All projects will be outlined in a more detailed manner in class.   

Grade Scale:                        A = 100-94                            A- = 93-90                            

B+ = 89-87                             B = 86-84                              B- = 83-80                            

C+ = 79-77                             C = 76-74                              C- = 73-70                               

D+ = 69-67                            D = 66-60                              F = 59 or below

Late Work Policy: As a large part of theatre is working with deadlines, grades on projects turned in past the announced deadline will be reduced.  The grade will be reduced by one letter grade for each calendar day the project is late.  No alteration of grade will occur if the project is late due to an excused absence and turned in on first day back to class.

Attendance Policy: 

• Each student is expected to attend every scheduled class meeting. 
• More than two unexcused absences from a scheduled class meeting will result in a drastic grade reduction.  (The student’s average will drop one full letter grade for each unexcused absence after two.)
• An absence is only considered “excused” when promptly accompanied by a doctor/clinic note or a note from appropriate individuals.
• Chronic tardiness will not be tolerated.  The instructors reserve the right to treat tardy days as unexcused absences.
• Do NOT be late for the final exam!  Late admittance to the final will not be allowed!

Class Participation and Discussion:

• This course will require your attention and participation.  In fact, 50% of your grade for this course is a daily grade involving work produced in the classroom.  The quality of the course will depend heavily on each student's participation in class discussion and exploration. 
• Please Note: Cell phones MUST be turned off while in class.  NO TEXTING!  NO CALLS!  First offense:  You will be asked to stop texting and turn off your phone.  Second offense:  You will be asked to leave the classroom and will receive an unexcused absence for the day. 

ETSU Syllabus Attachment: http://www.etsu.edu/reg/academics/syllabus.aspx

This site contains many items of useful information such as fee due dates, drop and add deadlines, student career and support services, and the university calendar just to name a few. 

Fundamentals of Theatrical Design Class Schedule – Fall 2010:

All classes will take place in Brooks 104 unless otherwise indicated.

This schedule is subject to change—regularly check D2L site for updates.

8/31                                       Course Introduction                                           

9/2                                         Script Analysis

9/7                                         Design Objectives

9/9                                         Researching the Design

9/14                                       Design Elements

9/16                                       Principles of Design

9/21                                       Scenic Design

9/23                                       Costume Design  

9/28                                       Lighting Design

9/30                                       Building a Career in Theatrical Design

10/5                                       Color Theory Work

10/7                                       Color Theory Work

10/12                                     Post Mortem Beckett/Pinter One Acts

10/14                                     Play Assignments for Final Project

10/19                                     FALL BREAK – No class

10/21                                     Read Plays in Class

10/26                                     Read Plays in Class                            

10/28                                     Design Objectives

11/2                                       Research

11/4                                       Research

11/9                                       Thumbnails and Roughs

11/11                                     Thumbnails and Roughs

11/16                                     Lighting Breakdowns

11/18                                     Lighting Story Boards

11/23                                     Post Mortem Lysistrata

11/25                                     Thanksgiving—No Class

11/30                                     Renderings and Models 

12/2                                       Renderings and Models

12/7                                       In-class Work on Final Project

12/9                                       In-class Work on Final Project