TECHNICAL THEATRE - THR 220

 

Instructor:  David R. Krajec                                   Spring 2003

Office: CFA 184                                                    TR 11:00 AM - 12:20 PM

Phone: 410-4170                                                    Credits:  3

E-mail: drkrajec@stritch.edu                                   Room: CFA 184

Office Hours:  MWF 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM or by appointment

 

Texts

 

Required Text:             Parker, Wolf & Block: Scene Design & Stage Lighting, 8th Ed.

 

Referrenced Texts:       Gruver: The Stage Manager's Handbook      

                                      Stern: Stage Management                   

                                      Burris-Meyer & Cole:  Scenery for the Theatre      

                                      Gassner:  Producing the Play                                 

                                      Palmer:  The Lighting Art                             

                                      Phillips:  Stagecraft & Scene Design                      

                                      Pilbrow:  Stage Lighting                               

 

Instructional Goals

 

TECHNICAL THEATRE introduces the student to the practices and techniques of theatrical set construction & painting, stage lighting mechanics, stage sound amplification and production, and theatrical stage management.

 

Through this class, the student will develop:

Ø     an understanding of the working process of translating the designer’s work from paper to production

Ø     an understanding of and a familiarity with theatrical terminology

Ø     a basic familiarity with the tools and techniques used through hands-on experience in the scene studio.

Ø     the ability to analyze the technical elements of a theatrical event objectively and write about them.

Ø     a knowledge of safe working habits used in the scene studio and all working environments

Ø     an appreciation for the complexities of technical theatre.

Ø     an appreciation for the finite resources of our planet

 

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

                       

Domain

Objective

Assessment Tool

Knowledge

Identify the different tools used in the scene studio

Objective exams

 

Define the terminology used in the employ of those tools

In-class projects

 

Identify the environmental impact points in the theatre

Objective exams

Analysis

Analyze the effectiveness of a theatrical work from the perspective of its technical execution

Essay

Application

Describe the process of assembling the technical elements of a play and how those elements work together

Essay

 

Apply safe working habits in the scene studio

In-class projects

 

Class Requirements

 

Attendance is mandatory.  Excused absences (i.e., basketball "Away" games, field trips, debilitating illness) will require a note from your doctor, coach, instructor or the Dean of Students and presented to the instructor at the next class meeting.  After two (2) unexcused absences, the student's semester grade will drop one grade level for each additional absence.  NOTE:  If you are not in the classroom when attendance is taken, you will be considered absent.  If the student does miss a class, it is incumbent upon the student to get the information from other students.  There will be NO make‑up exams or quizzes unless the student can prove to the instructor that the student was physically unable to attend class on that day.  Any assignment not turned in will receive an "F" (zero points).  There will be no extra credit work available.

 

Assignments

 

Exams:  There will be two objective exams based on the material covered in class.  Examinations will be based on information covered in class.  The final exam will be comprehensive in part and will be given on Thursday, May 15, at 10:30 AM.

 

Term Paper:  The student will be required to write a six (6) page research paper on some aspect of technical theatre, subject to instructor approval.  The paper will be due on April 29, 2003.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY & THE REHABILITATION ACT

 

The student is referred to the Student Handbook regarding academic integrity.  Any violation of academic integrity will result in a grade of "F" for the semester.  There will be NO discussion.  Cardinal Stritch University and this instructor wish to positively affirm the intent of Federal Law; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504.  Any person enrolling in this course who may require alternative instruction and/or evaluation procedures due to a handicapping condition should feel free to discuss these needs with this instructor so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  The last day to withdraw for all classes is Friday, April 4, 2003.

 

GRADING SCALE

 

Percentage   Grade          Four Point   Assignment           Value           Due Date

 

  100 ‑ 97        A              4.0               Exam #1                100 points    March 13

   96 ‑ 94         A‑            3.67             Paper                    100 points    April 29

   93 ‑ 91         B+            3.33             Final Exam            100 points    May 15, 10:30 AM

   90 ‑ 88         B              3.0               ========           =======

   87 ‑ 85         B‑             2.67             Total                     300 points

   84 ‑ 82         C+           2.33            

   81 ‑ 79         C              2.0              

   78 ‑ 76         C‑            1.67            

   75 ‑ 73         D+           1.33            

   72 ‑ 70         D              1.0              

   69 ‑ 66         D‑               .67            

   65 ‑  0          F                .0