Program Planning and Assessment (PPA)
for Academic Programs
Comprehensive Review, Annual Review & Action Plan
Spring 2014
The purpose of Program Planning and Assessment at Hartnell College is to obtain an honest and
authentic view of a program and to assess its strengths, opportunities, needs, and connection to the
mission and goals of the college. The process is based on the premise that each academic program
reviews assessment data and uses these data to plan for improvement. The results of these annual
cycles provide data for a periodic (every five years) comprehensive review that shows evidence of
improvement and outlines long-range goals.
The Program Planning and Assessment process will improve and increase the flow of information
about student learning, student success and student behavior at Hartnell College. The result of the
process will also improve institutional effectiveness.
Program/
Discipline
Theatre Arts / Western Stage
Date Completed (must be
in final form by 3/31/14)*
5/15/2014
Date Submitted
to Dean
Not applicable
*Please note that you should work with your colleagues and dean to ensure that this report is
completed, revised as needed, in its final form and submitted no later than the end of March.
List of Contributors, including Title/Position
Stephanie Low, Dean of Academic Affairs
Jon Selover, Artistic Director, Western Stage
Susanne Burns, Young Company Coordinator, Western Stage
Jeff McGrath, Production & Facilities Manager, Western Stage
This PPA report is organized in 3 sections and 11 subsections as follows:
I.
II.
III.
Comprehensive Review – a. Overall Program Effectiveness, b. Instructional Staffing,
c. CTE Programs – Labor Market & Achievement, and d. Program Goals.
Annual Review – a. Course Data & Trends, b. Teaching Modality, c. Curriculum,
d. Outcomes, and e. Previously Scheduled Activities.
Annual Action Plan – a. New Activities and b. Resource Requests.
INSTRUCTIONS
 For programs/disciplines scheduled for comprehensive review in spring
2014, please complete Sections I, II, and III.
 For programs/disciplines scheduled for annual review, please complete
Sections II and III.
I.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Please complete this section for programs/disciplines scheduled for
comprehensive review in spring 2014. Go to Section II for programs/disciplines
scheduled for annual review in spring 2014.
A. OVERALL PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS
1. Describe your program in terms of its overall effectiveness over the past several
years.
Please consider the questions below in describing your program/discipline/area.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
How are students/employees served by the program?
What are the unique aspects of the program?
How does the program relate to the needs of the community?
How does the program interface/collaborate with other programs on campus?)
What is working well in the program/discipline?
If there is a sequence of courses in your program, what process or framework is used to
ensure alignment?
How is consistency maintained between/among multiple sections of a single course?
Has the program explored alternative scheduling approaches?
Do prerequisites, co-requisites and strongly recommended skills continue to meet program
needs? Are there special considerations regarding capabilities of incoming students?
What professional activities have faculty recently (last three years) participated in?
[Begin response here]
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B. INSTRUCTIONAL STAFFING
1. In the table below enter the number of sections offered and the number of full
time and adjunct faculty in your program/discipline by term over the past several
years.
Term
No. of
Active
Sections
Full-time
Faculty
Adjunct
Faculty
2. What staffing factors/challenges have influenced the effectiveness of the program?
[Begin response here]
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C. CTE PROGRAMS – LABOR MARKET & ACHIEVEMENT
Please complete this section if the program is Career Technical Education
(CTE). Go to subsection D if the program is not CTE.
1. Describe the demonstrated effectiveness on the program over the past several
years with levels and trends of achievement data, including degree/certificate
completions (awards) and employment statistics.
[Begin response here]
2. Describe the number of, activities of, and recommendations resulting from
advisory committee meetings that have occurred over the past two years. What
information and/or data were presented that required or currently require
changes to be made to your program?
(Please attach copies of meeting minutes over the past two years and a list of committee
members and their respective industries/areas.)
[Begin response here]
3. Does labor market data and/or the need for additional education indicate that
changes should be made to your program? Does the program (continue to)
meet a labor market demand and/or fulfill an important step toward
higher/additional education?
[Begin response here]
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D. PROGRAM GOALS
1. List and describe program/disciplinary goals for the next comprehensive
review cycle—Fall 2014 through Fall 2018. Be sure to highlight innovative,
unique, or other especially noteworthy aspects.
A new mission and vision is currently before the board for approval in February. In considering
your program’s future goals, please review the proposed new mission and vision statements.
VISION STATEMENT
Hartnell College will be nationally recognized for the success of our students by
developing leaders who will contribute to the social, cultural, and economic vitality of
our region and the global community.
MISSION STATEMENT
Focusing on the needs of the Salinas Valley, Hartnell College provides educational
opportunities for students to reach academic goals in an environment committed to
student learning, achievement and success.
[List and describe program goals here]
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
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II. ANNUAL REVIEW
This section must be completed for ALL academic programs, including those
scheduled for a comprehensive review in spring 2014.
A. COURSE DATA & TRENDS
1. Please evaluate the 3-year trend of enrollment and success of courses in your
program/discipline. Identify the courses you are choosing to examine this
current year in the list below. You do NOT need to evaluate trends for each
course every year.
Course
Number
Course Name
Does the course have any DE
(online or hybrid) sections?
Please use the data that have been provided. Analyze trends that you observe with respect to
the data for the identified courses and answer the following questions.
ENROLLMENT
2. Review the enrollment data. Describe and analyze any patterns or anomalies
that you notice. What do you make of these patterns or anomalies? What
actions should be taken to ensure continuous improvement?
Enrollment in required major courses—THA-1, THA-3, THA-10 and THA-11—has been fairly
consistent over the 3-year period. These courses are offered every semester, with the exception
of THA-3 that was revised in Spring 2011 and offered in Fall 2011 and subsequent semesters.
Enrollment in the other THA classes is not significant because these are students working on
ensemble productions.
SUCCESS
3. Review the success data. Describe and analyze any patterns or anomalies that
you notice. What do you make of these patterns or anomalies? What actions
should be taken to ensure continuous improvement?
Success rates in THA-11 were significantly lower in Fall 2009 and Spring 2012 than success
rates in the other required major courses—THA-1, THA-3, THA-10. It is anticipated that the
review of student learning outcomes for this course might provide insight and offer potential
solutions. This analysis would be facilitated by the hire of a full-time faculty member to
coordinate the analysis of outcomes for theatre arts courses. Success rates in the other THA
classes are not significant because these are students working on ensemble productions.
Hartnell College has identified the need for a new full-time faculty member who will be
assigned 60% to Theatre Arts and 40% to Communication Studies. Recruitment is in progress.
6|Page
DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES
4. Describe the demonstrated effectiveness of the program over the past several
years with levels and trends of achievement data, such as degree and certificate
completions/awards.
In 2011-12, three students completed the A.A. in Theatre Arts, and one student completed in
2012-2013. The Associate in Arts in Theatre Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree was approved in
March 2014, and is pending Chancellor’s Office approval.
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B. TEACHING MODALITY
1. Enter the number of Distance Education Courses, both fully online and hybrid
sections, along with the number of full-time and adjunct faculty.
Term
Fall 2013
Spring 2014
No. of DE/
Online
Sections
0
0
No of
Hybrid
Sections
0
0
Fulltime
Faculty
0
0
Adjunct
Faculty
3.6
2.8
2. Compare student success in the DE teaching environment with success in the faceto-face teaching environment in the same course. Are there differences? To what
do you ascribe the differences in your program? Discuss any other relevant factors
regarding diverse teaching modalities and environments, such as specific
locations.
Not applicable. Theatre Arts courses are offered in traditional modalities.
3. Describe the process to change and improve student success in DE
courses/sections in your program, and any other relevant factors regarding
diverse teaching modalities and environments, such as specific locations.
Not applicable.
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C. CURRICULUM
Complete the following tables pertaining to courses scheduled for review.
Courses scheduled for
review during AY 201314 as previously
specified
All THA courses
Courses scheduled for
review during AY 201415
THA-91B
THA-91C
THA-102
THA-122
THA-130B
THA-130C
THA-136
THA-172
THA-182
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Faculty member(s)
responsible for
coordinating
Jason Hough,
Communication
Studies
Faculty member(s)
responsible for
coordinating
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
(a) Was the course
reviewed and (b) taken
through the curriculum
process?
All courses were
reviewed; several
were inactivated and
others were revised.
Date of approval (or
anticipated approval)
by Curriculum
Committee
Spring 2014 at
several curriculum
committee
meetings
Target semester and
year—Fa 2014 or Sp 2015
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
Fall 2014
D. OUTCOMES
Use your Program Outcome Maps to assist you in this subsection. As you plan your course
assessments, keep the higher level program outcome in mind. While course level assessment
serves the purpose of examining the teaching and learning for that particular course, it also
provides the data that will be viewed collectively for assessment of the associated program
level outcomes.
PROGRAM LEVEL OUTCOMES
1. Please complete the following tables.
List Program level outcome(s)
scheduled for assessment as
previously specified
None
What changes have occurred
in the program/discipline as
a result of dialogue?
List Program level outcome(s)
scheduled for assessment in
AY 14-15
Have your course level
SLOs needed for this
program level outcome
been assessed or
scheduled for assessment?
To be determined by new fulltime faculty member
Was the Program
Outcome Assessment
Summary completed?
2. Describe how program level outcomes were specifically addressed by the
program/discipline during the past year.
For example, were data gathered at the course level? Was there review and analysis of the
data? How did the discipline faculty engage in discussion? Were any interventions conducted?
Are there any plans to make changes to certificate/degree programs or improvements in
teaching and student learning?
The Associate in Arts in Theatre Arts for Transfer (AA-T) was approved in Spring 2014 and
will be offered for the first time in Fall 2014.
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CORE COMPETENCIES
3. Describe how Core Competencies were specifically addressed by the
program/discipline during the past year. For example, were data gathered at
the course level? Was there review and analysis of the data? How did the
discipline faculty engage in discussion? Were any interventions conducted? Are
there any plans to make changes to courses or improvements in teaching and
student learning?
Not applicable.
COURSE LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
4. Please complete the following tables.
List courses scheduled for
SLO assessment as previously
specified
THA 1, 11,121,122,170, 176
THA 3, 1, 136, 180, 190, 91C
In what term was
the course
assessed?
Fall 2013
Fall 2013
List courses scheduled for
SLO assessment in
AY 2014-15
Faculty member(s)
responsible for
coordinating
Was the Course
Assessment Summary
Report completed?
Yes
Yes
Target semester
and year—Fa 2014
or Sp 2015
5. Describe course level assessments results and how they will influence your
plans moving forward.
THA 1, 11,121,122,170, 176: Though the SLO Assessment Report did meet the expectations of
the plans, it is desired that more direct assessment tools be implemented in the future.
THA 3, 1, 136, 180, 190, 91C: Results of the assessments came out with an average result
and we will continue to move forward in hope of achieving above average results.
6. Describe assessment activities that need to be strengthened or improved. What
are the challenges to achieving these improvements?
THA 1, 11,121,122,170, 176: To achieve a more direct assessment of SLO’s the most effective
means may be to imbed the assessment tools in the course outline/syllabus. Challenges
would be communicating the process to all THA faculty and implementing consistently;
though the process is certainly quite achievable.
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THA 3, 1, 136, 180, 190, 91C: We need to reassess how students experience a theatrical
event. Students find it hard to attend events and we must find alternatives to accommodate
students or not require this activity as an assessment.
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E. PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES
This subsection focuses on activities that were previously scheduled. An activity can address many
different aspects of your program/discipline, and ultimately is undertaken to improve or enhance your
program/discipline, and keep it current.
Will activity
continue into
AY 15-16?*
Activity scheduled
What success has
been achieved to
date on this activity?
Will activity
What challenges
existed or continue continue into
AY 14-15?
to exist?
1. Hire full-time
faculty to teach
Theatre Arts and to
manage the outcomes
assessment for the
new degree program.
Recruitment is in
progress.
Position is only
60% Theatre Arts.
2. Plan for sound
system upgrade.
Needs assessment
completed. No
funding has been
secured for this
project.
Tools and
equipment have
been purchased for
the Scenery and
Costume shops.
Part-time faculty
completed course
level assessments in
2013-2014.
Funding is tied to
community
support for the
Western Stage.
Yes
Yes
Funding is tied to
community
support for the
Western Stage.
Yes
Yes
3. Support The
Western Stage
productions by
providing facilities
and equipment.
4. Discuss with parttime faculty retention
and success data, and
plan assessment
activities in 20142015.
The new full-time
Yes
Yes
faculty member
will require
support while he
or she progresses
through the tenure
review process.
* For each activity that will continue into AY 2015-16 and that requires resources, submit a separate
resource request in Section III.
1. Evaluate the success of each activity scheduled, including activities completed and
those in progress. What measurable outcomes were achieved? Did the activities
and subsequent dialogue lead to significant change in student learning or program
success?
Hartnell College is recruiting for a full-time faculty member in Theatre Arts and
Communication Studies.
The Western Stage has received grants in support of its operations from the following funders
in the past five years: David and Lucile Packard foundation, Sally Hughes Church Foundation,
S.T.A.R. Foundation, Community Foundation for Monterey County, National Endowment for
the Arts.
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III. ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
This section must be completed for ALL academic programs, whether scheduled
for annual or comprehensive review in spring 2014.
A. NEW ACTIVITIES
This subsection addresses new activities for, and continuing new activities into, AY 2015-16. An
activity can address many different aspects of your program/discipline, and ultimately is undertaken to
improve, enhance, and or keep your program/discipline area current. A new activity may or may not
require additional resources. Activities can include but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NEW CURRICULUM
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM OR SERVICE
GRANT DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSALS
FACULTY AND STAFF TRAINING
MARKETING/OUTREACH
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
STUDENT SERVICES
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SUPPORT OPERATIONS
FACILITIES
1. List information concerning new projects or activities planned. Please keep in mind that
resources needed, if funded, would not be approved until spring 2015 and provided until
FY 2015-16. Ongoing activities involving resources that will no longer be available from
grant funds starting FY 2015-16 must be planned for appropriately.
Activity
1. Discuss with
part-time faculty
retention and
success data, and
plan assessment
activities in 20142015.
2.
Develop a
plan to
increase
student
interest in
Theatre Arts
Strategic
Plan
Goal(s)
No. &
Letter
(e.g.,
5A)*
1A, 2A,
2B, 3A,
3B
Related
Courses,
SLOs, PLOs,
or goals
Desired
Outcome(s)
Resources
Needed
Person
Responsible
PLO 4
THA-1 one
SLO
THA-3 one
SLO
Assessment
data for one
program
outcome and
two course
outcomes
Compensati
on for parttime faculty
to meet
with fulltime faculty
at least
once each
semester.
Funding for
student
production,
national
conference
& regional
student
conference
To be
determined
Increased
enrollments
in academic
courses &
theatre
activities
Marnie
Glazier
* See Appendix A for a list of the 11 goals in the college’s Strategic Plan.
14 | P a g e
Estimated
Date of
Completion
(can be more
than one
year in
length)
Ongoing
3 years
Comments
*** Please complete this page for each new activity. ***
2. This item is used to describe how the new activity, or continuing new activity, will
support the program/discipline.
Consider:
• Faculty
• Other staffing
• Facilities
• Equipment (non-expendable, greater than $5,000), supplies (expendable, valued at less than
$5,000),
• Software
• Hardware
• Outside services
• Training
• Travel
• Library materials
• Science laboratory materials
a) Describe the new activity or follow-on activity that this resource will support.
Discuss with part-time faculty retention and success data, and plan assessment activities in 20142015.
b) Describe how this activity supports any of the following:
1) Core Competency
2) Program level Outcome
3) Course level Outcome
4) Program/Discipline Goal
5) Strategic Priority Goal
Program level and course level outcomes will be assessed and discussed with part-time faculty.
c) Does this activity span multiple academic years?
YES
NO
If yes, describe the action plan for completion of this activity.
Yes, it is expected that continuous broad-based discussion about student success in theatre arts
will result in many completions of the Associate in Arts in Theatre Arts for Transfer (AA-T).
d) What measureable outcomes are expected from this activity? List indicators of
success.
The number of students awarded the AA-T in Theatre Arts will increase after it is offered for the
first time in Fall 2014.
e) What are the barriers to achieving success in this activity?
The new full-time faculty member will require support of part-time faculty and the District as he
or she proceeds through the tenure review process.
15 | P a g e
*** Please complete this page for each new activity. ***
2. This item is used to describe how the new activity, or continuing new activity, will
support the program/discipline.
Consider:
• Faculty
• Other staffing
• Facilities
• Equipment (non-expendable, greater than $5,000), supplies (expendable, valued at less than
$5,000),
• Software
• Hardware
• Outside services
• Training
• Travel
• Library materials
• Science laboratory materials
a) Describe the new activity or follow-on activity that this resource will support.
Plan for Sound System upgrade. Renovation of Mainstage Theater sound system to support THA
classes and productions as well as other campus events
b) Describe how this activity supports any of the following:
6) Core Competency
7) Program level Outcome
8) Course level Outcome
9) Program/Discipline Goal
10)
Strategic Priority Goal
Strategic Priorites 4 Effective Utilization of Resources, Goal 4B, 4C and 4D
c) Does this activity span multiple academic years?
YES
NO
If yes, describe the action plan for completion of this activity.
Some elements of the renovation may be accomplished as part of the larger remodeling of the
facility. Hartnell Foundation/Theatre Arts Council may secure funds for some of this project. Should
complete entire project over the next two years.
d) What measureable outcomes are expected from this activity? List indicators of
success.
[Begin response here]
e) What are the barriers to achieving success in this activity?
Available funding
16 | P a g e
*** Please complete this page for each new activity. ***
2. This item is used to describe how the new activity, or continuing new activity, will
support the program/discipline.
Consider:
• Faculty
• Other staffing
• Facilities
• Equipment (non-expendable, greater than $5,000), supplies (expendable, valued at less than
$5,000),
• Software
• Hardware
• Outside services
• Training
• Travel
• Library materials
• Science laboratory materials
a) Describe the new activity or follow-on activity that this resource will support.
Support The Western Stage productions by providing facilities and equipment.
b) Describe how this activity supports any of the following:
11) Core Competency
12) Program level Outcome
13) Course level Outcome
14) Program/Discipline Goal
15) Strategic Priority Goal
Strategic Priorites 4 Effective Utilization of Resources, Goal 4B, 4C and 4D
c) Does this activity span multiple academic years?
YES
NO
If yes, describe the action plan for completion of this activity.
Purchase remaining equipment and tools for THA shops and performance spaces to support THA
classes and productions.
d) What measureable outcomes are expected from this activity? List indicators of
success.
[Begin response here]
e) What are the barriers to achieving success in this activity?
Available funding
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*** Please complete this page for each new activity. ***
2. This item is used to describe how the new activity, or continuing new activity, will
support the program/discipline.
Consider:
• Faculty
• Other staffing
• Facilities
• Equipment (non-expendable, greater than $5,000), supplies (expendable, valued at less than
$5,000),
• Software
• Hardware
• Outside services
• Training
• Travel
• Library materials
• Science laboratory materials
a) Describe the new activity or follow-on activity that this resource will support.
New full-time faculty member will attend national conference of theatre educators annually,
support student attendance at regional conference.
Student productions will be developed and presented each semester (fall and spring), which will
require production rights, contracted production/artist assistance, and equipment/supplies.
b) Describe how this activity supports any of the following:
16) Core Competency
17) Program level Outcome
18)Course level Outcome
19) Program/Discipline Goal
20)
Strategic Priority Goal
Strategic Priority Goals 1A, 2A, 2B, 3D, 4A
c) Does this activity span multiple academic years?
YES
NO
If yes, describe the action plan for completion of this activity.
These will be annual costs to support the Theatre Arts program.
d) What measureable outcomes are expected from this activity? List indicators of
success.
Student enrollments will increase, and more students will graduate with the AA-T in Theatre Arts.
e) What are the barriers to achieving success in this activity?
Funding
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B. RESOURCE REQUESTS
If new/additional resources are needed for your program/discipline, it is important that you identify
them and project their cost, and that these resources and costs be considered through the College’s
integrated planning (governance, budget development, funding decision making, and resource
allocation) processes. A resource is likely to be something needed to support an activity that you have
identified in IIIA. above, in which case you must link the resource with a specific activity number (first
column below). ). All resource requests completed in the various columns of a specific row
must be linked to the new or continuing activity numbered on the first column of that
same row. A resource could also be something necessary for your program/discipline to function
properly to improve student learning, such as updated equipment in a classroom; in such case be sure
to note that the resource is NOT tied to a specific activity.
Activity No.
1. Meet with
part-time
faculty
Personnel
Classified
Staff/
Faculty
(C/F/M)*
Supplies/
Equipment
(S/E)**
Technology
Hardware/
Software
(H/S)***
Contract
Services
Training
Travel
Library
Materials
Science
Labs
Yes,
compensation
for part-time
faculty to
attend at
least one
meeting per
semester.
Projected
Costs
$500
2.. Plan for
See
attached
Proposal
(Appendix
B)
3. Support
The
Western
Stage
productions
by
providing
facilities
and
equipment.
See
attached
list of
items
(Appendix
C)
$11,500
4. Plan to
develop
Theatre Arts
program
$2000
$10,000
sound
system
upgrade.
$4000
$4000
production
assistance
$2000
production
rights
* Personnel: Include a C, F, or M after the amount to indicate Classified Staff, Faculty, or Manager.
** S for Supplies, E for Equipment. If additional supplies, for example, are needed for ongoing activities, this
should be requested through the budget rollover process.
*** H for Hardware, S for Software.
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$175,000
APPENDIX A. Strategic Priorities & Goals
(from Hartnell College Strategic Plan 2013-2018)
Priority 1: Student
Access
Goal 1A: Hartnell College will provide higher education, workforce development, and lifelong
learning opportunities—with seamless pathways—to all of the college’s present and prospective
constituent individuals and groups.
Priority 2: Student
Success
Goal 2A: Hartnell College will provide a supportive, innovative, and collaborative learning
environment to help students pursue and achieve educational success.
Goal 2B: Hartnell College will provide a supportive, innovative, and collaborative learning
environment that addresses and meets the diverse learning needs of students.
Priority 3: Employee
Diversity and Development
Goal 3A: Hartnell College is committed to 1) increasing diversity among its employees; 2)
providing an environment that is safe for and inviting to diverse persons, groups, and
communities; and 3) becoming a model institution of higher education whose respect for
diversity is easily seen and is fully integrated throughout its policies, practices, facilities, signage,
curricula, and other reflections of life at the college.
Goal 3B: To attract and retain highly qualified employees, Hartnell College is committed to
providing and supporting relevant, substantial professional development opportunities.
Priority 4:
Effective Utilization of Resources
Goal 4A: To support its mission, Hartnell College is committed to the effective utilization of
its human resources.
Goal 4B: Hartnell College is committed to having its physical plant, furnishings, and grounds
maintained and replaced in a planned and scheduled way to support learning, safety, security,
and access.
Goal 4C: Hartnell College will maintain a current, user-friendly technological infrastructure
that serves the needs of students and employees.
Goal 4D: Hartnell College is committed to maximizing the use and value of capital assets,
managing financial resources, minimizing costs, and engaging in fiscally sound planning for
future maintenance, space, and technology needs.
Priority 5:
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Innovation and Relevance for Programs and Services
Goal 5A: Hartnell College will provide programs and services that are relevant to the realworld needs of its diverse student population, while also developing and employing a culture of
innovation that will lead to improved institutional effectiveness and student learning.
Priority 6: Partnership
with Industry, Business Agencies and Education
Goal 6A: Hartnell College is committed to strengthening and furthering its current
partnerships, in order to secure lasting, mutually beneficial relationships between the college
and the community that the college serves.
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Appendix B. Preliminary Proposal for Sound System Upgrades
For The Western Stage/Hartnell College
Prepared by Jeff Mockus
Proposed Target Budget: $200,000.00
Priorities:
I. Commission a design for this upgrade that prepares the system for further upgrades.
II.
Hire an install contractor for all permanent wiring for these upgrades.
III.
Replace the Mixing Board and mix position desk.
IV.
Replace the Main Speaker System, add fill positions and stage specials.
V.
Add Permanent Multi-Channel wiring to Stage, Orchestral Pit and Amp Rack.
VI.
Upgrade the Intercom System to a 4-channel Base station. Add wireless for
backstage.
VII.
Repair/Upgrade the Monitor System.
VIII. Add 8 more channels of UHF Wireless microphones
IX.
Install a dedicated Intel-Based Mac for sound cue creation and playback.
X.
Hire an audio engineer to maintain all audio resources the theatre.
I. Commission a Design: estimate $10,000
I cannot stress enough how much stress, load-in time, tech time, and money this will save
you in years to come. Prevent this and future upgrades from being piecemeal additions. A
$200,000 budget won’t cover all the priorities to completion, but you will have a plan of how
to add them later under seasonal budgets.
a. Specify equipment to be purchased under this budget.
b. Recommend equipment to realize a planned upgrade path.
c. Deliver line diagrams for signal flow, for purchased and planned additions
d. Deliver CAD drawings of equipment placement and cable paths as necessary
e. Deliver as-installed and planned upgrade drawings.
II. Hire an install contractor: (gross) estimate $50,000
This item is difficult to quote specific budget numbers, as any contractor would have to look
at the design and do a site survey to bid parts & labor properly, but as one of your biggest
priorities for this theatre is permanently installed wiring, including new conduit runs, terminal
boxes, etc., this is a necessity.
III. Replace the Mixing Board and mix position desk: estimate $25,000
This is you’re #1 equipment need. I have a specific model mixer in mind: a 48 input Yamaha
M7CL V3, with several of it’s upgrade options, such as a metering bridge and digital input
cards, as well as software upgrades. This board, or one in it’s class, will remove the need for
almost all of the outboard gear currently in the desk’s rack. The desk itself will have to be
custom built as the current one was built and wired around the old mixing board. To review
the features of this board, see
http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/products/mixers/m7cl/index.html.
IV. Replace Main Speaker System, add fill positions, stage specials
Estimate: $80,000+
This is a far-reaching upgrade that will easily go beyond the scope of this budget. However,
it can be done in stages, and this is why I have stressed the need for a comprehensive
system be designed.
You’re first purchase should be a modular line array center cluster of 6-10 individual
speakers for vocal reinforcement, and my highest recommendation is Meyer systems’
“M’elodie” or “Mina” self-powered speakers. From my experience designing shows in this
performance space, I estimate 8 speakers, in two 4-speaker arrays would provide adequate
coverage. Preliminary retail pricing puts such a cluster at about $50k+. Meyer are top of the
line, but they often work with educational institutions, providing vastly discounted prices.
Next I would address front-fill positions, with 4-8 small speakers on one feed, such as Meyer
MM4, along the apron, to provide vocal reinforcement to the center of the front rows, where
the band is the loudest, and the main system cannot cover without feedback issues.
Then, add balcony and under balcony fills. 6-8 speakers for each, each set on it’s own feed,
and delayed to time-align with the main system.
Finally, add stereo Line Arrays, with subwoofers to the main system, replacing the EV and
JBL speakers currently there. These can all be used in the Studio Theatre or as stage
specials as needed.
V. Add Permanent Multi-Channel wiring to Stage, Orchestral Pit and Amp Rack.
Estimate $20,000.
This is higher a priority than completing the main speaker system, as long as wiring for future
planned upgrades is put in place. At the very least I would run 24-channels of microphone
inputs to stage left, 24 channels to stage right, and 24 channels to the orchestra pit, as well
as increase the wiring from mix position to the amplifier rack to 24 lines. Replace the 24channel snake currently in the grid. All this will certainly require a patch-bay, likely in the
booth. Add 4-8 more speaker runs from amp rack to stage perhaps 4-8 to strategic locations
in the grid. It may seem I have redundant line items, as this could fall under the install
contractor’s bid, but this is to ensure you have money set aside for the parts. The design will
clarify the specific needs.
VI. Upgrade the Intercom System to a 4-channel Base station. Add wireless for
backstage. Estimate: $5,000 to $15,000
Clear communications in a tech environment are a matter of everyone’s safety, let alone
make it far easier for multiple conversations to go on at once. Common uses of 4 channel
Clear-Com are for separating Backstage, Lights, Sound, and Front-of-House, where the
Stage Manger can listen and/or talk to any channel from the base station. A future upgrade
would be to add a wireless com system to the backstage channel, so crew need not be
tethered by cables. This makes for a safer backstage environment as well.
VII. Repair/Upgrade the Monitor System.
Estimate: $2,000+
Purchase a dedicated shotgun microphone, and a preamp/eq/compressor unit to feed the
Monitor system. Replace the currently non-functional Monitor amp, repair the wiring to the
band room that was damaged during the last building upgrade.
VIII. Add 8 more channels of UHF Wireless microphones
Estimate $8,000 - $10,000
This could easily be done as a future upgrade under a season budget. This would complete
the 24-channel System we have been striving for.
IX. Install a dedicated Intel-Based Mac, with software for sound cue creation and
playback.
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
I Highly, HIGHLY recommend you move to QLab v2 http://figure53.com/qlab for sound cues.
I know getting authorized for computer purchases is difficult, so I wanted to include this to
start the ball rolling, even if this purchase is a later seasonal expense.
X. Hire an audio engineer to maintain all audio resources the theatre.
Estimate: Ongoing $$$
OK, this does not fall under the expenses of this upgrade. However, in the 8 years I’ve been
designing sound for shows at The Western Stage, you have not replaced the Engineer who
installed the current system. What I have witnessed is a slow degradation of your inventory,
simply due to lack of simple cleaning, organization, and basic maintenance. At the very
least, once this new upgrade is in place, please hire someone seasonally to be the “Sound
Master”
Appendix C. Theatre Arts/Western Stage Shops equipment and tools
Scene Shop tools
Finishing machine
$1600
Scroll Saw
$500
______________________________________________
Total
$2100
Lighting and Rigging one man lift for Mainstage
$7500
Costume Shop Equipment
Sergers/Overlock machines 2@500
$1000
Dress Forms
3@300
$900
Total
Grand Total
$1900
$11,500