Oak Park and River Forest High School
Theatre/Broadcasting Department
Theatre Technology and Design 1-2
Mr. Joe Hallissey
Office:
Room 257
Office hours:
9–2p, M–F
Telephone:
708.434.3257 o
708.205.2017 c
E-mail:
jhallissey@oprfhs.org
Course description
This two-semester course provides a hands-on exploration of the design and production of scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props,
and makeup for the theatre. Students will be introduced to scene construction, techniques of lighting, stage materials, stage safety,
theatre production processes, and the principles of design on which all stagecraft is based.
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Students will read plays critically and learn how to develop a concept to support the themes of a play. They will draw plans,
build set models, design lighting, and discuss their concepts in formal presentations to the class.
Students will be trained in the safety and use of construction equipment, use of materials and hardware, and set construction
techniques.
Lighting principles and equipment will be discussed, along with practical development of light plans and installation.
Sound design, effects, digital editing, playback, and reinforcement will be discussed and practiced.
Costumes, makeup, and house management are also discussed.
Production support of Studio200 shows is central to the course, and success in TT&D will, in large part, be determined
by each student’s contribution to the Studio200 season.
Course requirements
1. All work is to be original; when you have used any other sources to aid in the preparation of your work, those sources must
be clearly identified. Cutting and pasting text from web pages into your paper without identifying the web source is the same as
copying text from a book and passing it in as your own. If you have any question about whether you have incorrectly used
work not your own, please ask before turning that work in; the consequences in this school—and in this course—for plagiarism
are severe. Work turned in late is marked down by 1/3 grade per day late.
2. TEN HOURS OF CREW WORK OUTSIDE OF CLASS is required each semester; this requirement is easily fulfilled by
working after school on Studio200 productions. You will be assigned to work on specific shows; should you have a major
scheduling conflict for your assigned show, see Mr. Hallissey about switching with another student. Additionally, seeing every
theatrical production is required (your attendance is no charge).
3. On build days, clothing appropriate for shop work is required. For safety reasons, this means long pants and closed-toe
shoes; clothing, on occasion, may get dirty and/or painted on, so dress accordingly (or bring clothes to change into). Wearing
inappropriate clothes will mean either a) they get dirty or painted on, or b) in the case of a safety-related issue, the student will
receive either a 0 for the day or alternate work, with the day’s shop work made up later.
4. Neatness counts. Work must be legible in order to be fairly graded; this might mean it’s typed/word-processed (this is a
legibility issue), or written carefully. Be proud of the work you hand in.
5. In this course you will work on projects and activities you—in all likelihood—have never before attempted. The instructors will
guide your learning; the expectation is that you be patient with your fellow students’ work. Ridicule, hostile teasing,
disruptive behavior, and disrespect have no place in this class, and will not be tolerated.
6. Proper use of tools and materials and behaving appropriately for the theatre spaces contributes to every one’s personal
safety. No horseplay or other intentionally unsafe behavior will be tolerated. Immediate dismissal from the course is the
outcome for intentionally unsafe behavior.
7. School rules on no food in classrooms and the wearing of IDs will be followed in class.
8. Cell phones are not to be used during any class periods without the express permission of the instructor (e.g., using a phone’s
camera to document construction).
Grading
Each semester will be graded on these major areas.
1 Classroom participation (70%), which includes attendance (and attendance at OPRFHS drama productions), involvement in
class sessions, contributions to classroom discussions, 10 hours of after-school stage work per semester on OPRFHS
productions, and positive classroom behavior (see #6, above);
2 Quizzes and tests (10%), which will include oral, written, and demonstration assessments;
3 A design project at the end of each semester (20%), where basic components of a show’s design are planned, drawn, and built
as a model;
Absences/tardies The school’s policies regarding absences and tardies will be followed at all times in this class.
Final exam
No written final exams are required for this course; however, a final project, noted above, is due the last week of
school each semester.
Texts, films, supplies
Handouts supplied in class will be the primary text for the class. Students are expected to keep these on hand for all class sessions.
Films used in this course will be selected from the following:
Lighting, Live Oak Production Group
Sing Faster, Direct Cinema Limited
Julie Taymor: Setting a Scene, Learning Designs and
Thirteen/WNET
Stage and Scene Design, Insight Media
Fundamentals of Scenic Painting, Theatre Arts Video Library
Sweeney Todd (1979 Broadway production), Warner Video
Candide, Ellen M. Krass Productions and Thirteen/WNET
Supplies
You will always need, on hand, one or two sharpened pencils and a good quality eraser. Additional drafting tools will be discussed,
but are not required. Additionally, you will use colored pencils, markers, and/or watercolors, along with miscellaneous craft supplies
(balsa wood, smooth cardboard, glues, etc.). These are all available at local stores.
Parent access to grades
Class projects often run longer than two weeks, so on-line information may not always be current. Parents (and students) are always
welcome to ask about current progress, strengths, and areas for growth; see Mr. Hallissey after class, anytime in his office, or call or email with a question (number and e-mail address are at the top of pg. 1 of this document).
Reference texts for additional information
(check amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com for best prices, also for used copies):
Backstage Handbook, Paul Carter, Broadway Press (paper, highly recommended, approx. $15)
Theatrical Design and Production, J. Michael Gillette, Mayfield Press (hardcover, highly recommended, $50)
Scene Design and Stage Lighting, Parker/Smith/Wolf, Holt, Rinehart and Winston (hardcover, approx. $62)
Designing and Drawing for the Theatre, Pektal, McGraw Hill (hardcover, highly recommended, approx. $74)