Group A

 THEA 1520-001 Stagecraft

Fall 2010 Syllabus

MWF 10:25-11:20am - Brooks Gym Rooms 120,121,104

SCENE SHOP INSTRUCTOR:                                                      COSTUME SHOP INSTRUCTOR:              

Melissa Shafer                                                                                    Karen Brewster

Office:  Brooks Gym 116                                                                    Office: Brooks Gym 116

Office Hours: by appointment                                                          Office Hours: by appointment

Phone:   439-5837                                                                                Phone: 439-5827

E-mail: shaferm@etsu.edu                                                                 Email: brewster@etsu.edu

Objective: The Stagecraft course is intended to introduce the student to prop, scenery, and costume production and to the tools, materials, construction techniques, mechanical drawings, and stage machinery used in these areas of theatrical production. 

Expected Outcomes:

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

·         Identify the materials used for building clothing and sets in the Theatrical Costume Shop and Scene Shop.

·         Understand the physical layout of the Theatrical Costume Shop and Scene Shop.

·         Understand the Technical Rehearsal, Load-In, and Strike processes.

·         Handle Costume Shop and Scene Shop tools and equipment safely and effectively.

·         Know how to approach the basic 2D and 3D set building processes.

·         Know how to approach the basic patterning and costume building processes.

·         Understand how the varied crafts of the stage interrelate and ultimately combine to create the art form we know as Theatre.

Required Texts:

Available from the ETSU Bookstore:

 Theatrical Design and Production, An Introduction to Scene

                Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup.  McGraw Hill Publishing Company,

6^th edition.  J. Michael Gillette.  ISBN: 0-07-256262-5  (older editions are acceptable)

The Costume Technician’s Handbook.  Heinemann Educational Books, Inc.  3^rd Edition.  Rosemary Ingham &

                Liz Covey.  ISBN: 0-325-00477-3 (older editions are acceptable)

Available through the instructors:

Stage Fright Health & Safety in the Theatre A Practical Guide for Everyone in the Performing Arts OR The

Health & Safety Guide for Film, TV, & Theatre.  Allworth Press, New York.  Monona Rossol. (any edition is acceptable)

Teaching Methods for this course:  The teaching methods for this course will include lecture, discussion, and hands-on exercises. 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/

Course Requirements:

·         This class will be divided into two groups.  Group A will study costume technology with Karen Brewster during the first half of the semester and scenery technology with Melissa Shafer during the second half of the semester.  Group B will study with Melissa the first half and Karen the second half of the semester.  The instructors will assign you to a group on the first day of class.  Please do not whine about your group assignment.  Each half of the semester will be given equal weight in the final course grade.

·         Attendance to the load-ins and strikes for both ETSU fall productions is required.  You must arrive on time and stay until each workday is completed.  Roll will be taken at the beginning and end of all activities.  The dates are as follows:

SA           9/25        LOAD-IN for Beckett/Pinter One Acts                           BF Theatre @ 10:00am

SU           10/10      STRIKE for Beckett/Pinter One Acts                               BF Theatre @ 4:00pm

SA           11/6        LOAD-IN for Lysistrata                                                     BF Theatre @ 10:00am

SU           11/21      STRIKE for Lysistrata                                                        BF Theatre @ 4:00pm

Attendance Policy: 

• Each student is expected to attend every scheduled class meeting.
• Attendance at the load-ins and strikes listed above is also required.
• Chronic tardiness will be treated as unexcused absences. 
• More than two unexcused absences from a scheduled class meeting are strongly discouraged.  Three or more unexcused absences will result in an overall letter grade reduction for each day missed beyond 2. 
• An absence is only considered “excused” when promptly accompanied by an authorized doctor/clinic note. (Or a note from other appropriate individuals authorizing your absence.) 
• Students must arrive to the midterm and the final exams on time.  No exams will be given to students arriving late to the midterm or the final.  

Class Participation and Discussion:

This course will require your attention and participation. 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. 

Shop Attire: 

·         Work clothes are required in all classes and especially during load-ins and strikes.  Your clothes will get spattered with paint and snagged on nails, so please wear appropriate clothing in the scene shop as well as the costume shop.  If necessary, you may leave a set of work clothes in the production office.

·         Bare feet, sandals, pumps, and clogs are not allowed.  Please wear closed-toed shoes or boots.

·         Long hair should be tied back and jewelry should not be worn.

·         During required workdays, the instructors reserve the right to send students away if they are not properly attired and it will count as an unexcused absence.

Course Evaluation:

                Scenery Grade                                                      35%

                                (Quiz #1                                 5%)

                                (Quiz #2                                 5%)

                                (Quiz #3                                 5%)

                                (Quiz #4                                 5%)

                                (Final                                      15%)

Costume Grade                                                    35%

                                (Quiz/Project #1                   5%)

                                (Quiz/Project #2                   5%)

                                (Quiz/Project #3                   5%)

                                (Quiz/Project #4                   5%)

                                (Final                                      15%)

Strikes and Load-ins                                           20%       

                Combined A/B quiz                                            10%

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

Extra Credit Opportunities: 

• Students who work on Monday-Thursday afternoons 1:00-5:00 or Saturdays 10:00-5:00 in Brooks Gym 120/121 (Scene Shop/Costume Shop) will receive extra credit.  For every two hours of approved work in the shops one point will be added to the student’s final average for the course.  See Karen or Melissa for details.

Please note: 

·         This course adheres to the tenets of Academic Honesty.  Any infractions will be dealt with appropriately.

·         As this course involves hands-on work, all safety rules must be observed.  In case of accident notify the instructor immediately.  It is strongly recommended that you carry health insurance.

·         For any student who may need an accommodation based on disability, please make an appointment to see Karen Brewster or Melissa Shafer.  A Faculty Accommodation Form from Disability Services authorizing your accommodations is required.

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. 

COURSE SCHEDULE for Group A:

SS= Scene Shop—Brooks Gym 120/121

CS= Costume Shop—Brooks Gym 120/121

104=Brooks Gym 104

WEEK ONE:

M            8/30        SS/CS     Course Introduction, Facilities Tour

W            9/1          104         Theatre Protocols and Etiquette, Chapters 1 & 4 Gillette

F              9/3          104         Health and Safety               , Rossol text and Chapter 2 in Ingham & Covey

WEEK TWO:

M            9/6                          LABOR DAY – no class                    

W            9/8          104         Theatre Protocols and Etiquette/Health and Safety/Quiz (Combined A/B Quiz)

F              9/11        104         No class – Fall SETC                         

BREAK INTO GROUPS     BREAK INTO GROUPS    BREAK INTO GROUPS

WEEK THREE:                  

M            9/13        CS           Costume Shop, Chapter 1

W            9/15        CS           Tools, Chapter 1

F              9/17        CS           QUIZ/LAB                                                                           

WEEK FOUR:

M            9/20        CS           Fabrics, Chapter 3

W            9/22        CS           Fabrics, Chapter 3

F              9/24        CS           QUIZ/LAB

WEEK FIVE:

M            9/27        CS           Hand Sewing, Chapter 5

W            9/29        CS           Hand Sewing, Chapter 5

F              10/1        CS           Hand Sewing, Chapter 5

Load-in on 10/2 is mandatory!

 Report to the Bud Frank Theatre at 10:00am on Saturday, October 2.  Wear work clothes!

WEEK SIX:

M            10/4        TBA       TBA Combined A/B          

W            10/6        TBA       TBA Combined A/B          

F              10/8        TBA       TBA Combined A/B                          

Pinter/Beckett One Acts – October 7^th – 9^th at 7:30pm, Oct. 10^th at 2:00pm. Bud Frank Theatre

Strike on 10/10 is mandatory!  

Report to the Bud Frank Theatre at 4:00pm on Sunday, October 10.  Wear work clothes!

WEEK SEVEN:

M            10/11     104          Post Mortem Pinter/Beckett One Acts            

W            10/13     CS           Hand Sewing, Chapter 5   

F              10/15     CS           Hand Sewing, Chapter 5

WEEK EIGHT:

M            10/18                     No Class – Fall Break

W            10/20     CS           Hand & Machine Sewing, Chapter 5

F              10/22     CS           (Melissa at TTA) QUIZ/LAB Quiz 3 & 4 Due

WEEK NINE:

M            10/25     CS           Hand & Machine Sewing, Chapter 5              

W            10/27     CS           Hand & Machine Sewing, Chapter 5

F              10/29     CS           FINAL EXAM First Half Split

SWITCH GROUPS              SWITCH GROUPS              SWITCH GROUPS             

WEEK TEN:

M            11/1        SS           Hand Tools

W            11/2        SS           Hand Tools          

F              11/3        SS          QUIZ #1/LAB

Load-in on 11/6 is mandatory! 

Report to the Bud Frank Theatre at 10:00am on Saturday, November 6th.  Wear work clothes!

WEEK ELEVEN:

M            11/8        SS           Power Tools         

W            11/10     SS           Power Tools

F              11/12     SS           QIUZ #2/LAB     

WEEK TWELVE:

M            11/15     TBA       TBA Combined A/B

W            11/17     TBA       TBA Combined A/B

F              11/19     TBA       TBA Combined A/B          

Lysistrata – November 18^th – 20^th, at 7:30pm. November 21^st at 2:00pm.  Bud Frank Theatre.

Strike on 11/21 is mandatory!  

Report to the Bud Frank Theatre at 4:30pm on Sunday, November 15.  Wear work clothes!

WEEK THIRTEEN:                                       

M            11/22     TBA       Post Mortem – Lysistrata 

W            11/24     SS           Construction Materials  

F              11/26                     THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - No Class      

WEEK FOURTEEN:

M            11/29     SS           Construction Materials

W            12/1        SS           2d Construction

F              12/3        SS           QUIZ #3/LAB

WEEK FIFTEEN:

M            12/6        SS           2d/3d Construction            

W            12/8        SS           3d Construction

F              12/10     SS           QUIZ#4 /LAB

W            12/15     TBA       8:00am - 10:00am              FINAL EXAM