SYLLABUS
THE 1630 -- Basic Stagecraft – Fall 2017
Class Meetings:
Section 1 – 9:30-10:45 TR Reeves 123
Section 2 – 11:00-12:15 TR Reeves 123
Instructor ..................................................................................................................... William Saunders
Office .................................................................................................................................................. TBD
Office email ….............................................................................................. WISaunders@methodist.edu
Office Hours ……………………………………………......8:30-9:30 T/H Other hours by Appointment
ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING ASSIGNMENTS OR GRADING MUST BE
CONFIRMED BY EMAIL – this protects both the instructor and student against verbal
miscommunication
“But I thought you said…”
Required Text
None required, however, the text that has been used in the past is J. Michael Gillette’s Theatrical Design and
Production (7thed. Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield, 2012). Copies are on Reserve in Davis Library, and it is also
available as a Kindle e-book rental at Amazon for approximately $25.00
There may be a Blackboard component to the course, details of which will be announced as they become
available.
Catalogue Description
A practical [as much as possible] course devoted to the crafts of theatre production, with emphasis on scenery,
lighting, costuming, make-up, properties, and sound. Students must attend at least two theatrical productions.
This course fulfills the Fine Arts Requirement in the Core Curriculum.
General Description
1.
THE 1630 is an introductory course designed for those students who wish to gain a discerning audience
member's appreciation for the concepts, methods, and skills involved in production, especially those who
are planning to be involved with production in educational and/or community theatres.
2.
THE 1630 has no pre-requisites, but experience has shown that students who have already had English 101
tend to do better on the written assignments.
3.
THE 1630 is a prerequisite for other technical theatre laboratory courses (THE 361, 362, 363, 368, 369, and
370) but not Applied Theatre courses (THE 160/260/360/460).
Syllabus – THE 1630 – Fall 2017 – Page 2
Departmental Goals
Of the five departmental goals for the Theatre Department published in the Academic Catalogue, the following
are applicable to THE 1630:
1. All members of the Methodist University community will have the opportunity to participate in the
production component(s) of the Theatre program, as a performer, technician, or member of the audience.
2. Students who complete the Theatre component(s) of the General Education/Core Curriculum will have a basic
understanding of the principles of Drama and the processes of Theatre production.
General Education / Core Competencies
The faculty has identified and approved three goals for the General Education/Core Curriculum: students will
demonstrate (1) the skills needed for advanced studies in written and oral communication, mathematical
reasoning, and the use of computers; (2) basic knowledge of the Fine Arts, Fitness and Wellness, Humanities,
Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science; and (3) the ability to think critically about complex subjects.
These goals are further defined by achieving competency in the following areas:
Wellness, Humanities, Mathematics, Social Science, Fine Arts, Computer Skills, Critical
Thinking, Writing, Oral Communication, and Natural Sciences
THE 1630 will specifically address the competencies of Humanities (“The human condition is influenced by
multiple cultures, belief systems, and traditions; Courses in the humanities provide students with a rich variety of
ways to interpret and understand the world”), Fine Arts (“Human creativity, as expressed through artistic works,
has been a fundamental component of all world cultures throughout history; Fine arts courses provide students
with the opportunity to attain a basic knowledge and appreciation of human artistic expression”), and Critical
Thinking (“The development of active thinking skills and the ability to evaluate and analyze complex subjects is
imperative for an educated person; Courses that emphasize an informed approach to critical thinking provide
students with the opportunity to articulate and support opinions about a wide range of subjects”).
Methodist University provides the following statement regarding students with disabilities for inclusion in syllabi:
If you are a student with a disability, please contact Charmagne Williams, Coordinator of Accessibility and Disability
Services at 630-7402 as soon as possible in order to make the necessary arrangements. Any student requiring
accommodations due to one or more disabilities must bring appropriate documentation to Methodist University Office of
Accessibility and Disability Services no later than the first week of classes during the semester in which the accommodations
are required. Accommodations cannot be initiated retroactively.
Attendance
There is no such thing as an "excused" absence in Methodist University classes. Doctor’s notes, away games for
members of athletic teams, a death in the family, or having to leave early to catch a plane home before Spring
Break will not excuse you from class.
Note: (1) for every absence over two, the student's final grade will be dropped one point ;
(2) the Official Methodist University Attendance Policy for 100-level classes – (miss 20% of classes [5]
in the first 13 weeks and you will be dropped – is also in effect;
(3) Your second tardiness without a valid explanation will be recorded as an absence;
More than 20 minutes out of class = 1 absence
* If you are late, please enter unobtrusively. Check in at the end of class to be sure your tardy was recorded as a tardy and
not an absence.
Syllabus – THE 1630 – Fall 2017 – Page 3
If you have an unavoidable absence, it your responsibility to do the following:
• Check the course calendar and complete any work within the deadline (email if necessary)
• Check the blackboard site for any pertinent information
• If you are a member of a formal group working on a project, contact your instructor and at least one group member
before the absence. Contribute to the group project electronically as possible.
• If your absence occurs on the day of a test or other important in-class work, contact me as soon as possible
(preferably before the absence). Do not wait until the next class to talk about your absence.
*** No quizzes missed because of absences may be made up. ***
*** No one who enters class after a quiz has started will be allowed to take the quiz. ***
For further details, consult the “Attendance Policy for 100 Level Classes” in the Academic Catalogue.
Violations of the Honor Code
Theatre is a collaborative art form, and it is expected that we will share and borrow ideas, but it is also
unforgivable to take credit for work that is not our own and to deny anyone proper credit for work that is theirs.
Violations of the Methodist University Honor Code include cheating on tests, plagiarism (using someone else's
words in papers without giving them credit), theft, and lying. Any Honor Code offenses will be dealt with
severely. The first violation will earn the offender a zero for that assignment; for the second the offender will be
dropped from the course. Deliberate misuse or misappropriation of Theatre Department tools or materials will be
considered an Honor Code violation.
Class Decorum
In order to maintain a positive learning environment in our classroom, the following rules will be enforced:
1. Basic Rule #1: if you show that you are taking this class seriously, I’m more inclined to take you seriously.
2. The above also covers falling asleep in class. I was a student once, and I know it’s sometimes hard to sit still
for 75 minutes and stay awake. Get to bed at a decent hour and eat a power breakfast. I sympathize. I have to
be here too.
3. No cell phones. No text messaging. No personal listening devices of any kind (iPods, MP3 players,
smartphones, etc.) Turn them off and put them away before entering R123 -- don’t even set them to “vibrate”
-- but if you forget and it rings during class and if you do not want to be embarrassed in front of God and
everybody, do not even attempt to answer it. Or I will. I reserve the right to confiscate any electronic device
without warning.
4: Believe it or not, sitting at your desk staring at your lap suggests that you are, in fact texting or surfing the
Book of Face. I can see you, I’m right here in front of the class... I have been known to walk around the back
of the class to see what’s on your laptop screen.
Syllabus – THE 1630 – Fall 2017 – Page 4
Assignments
1. Each student will be expected to attend class, take notes, and participate in the class discussions. These
discussions will be the basis for the mid-term and final examinations. Nobody ever passed this class who
didn’t take notes. There’s a lot of information to remember and you can’t sit there like a sponge and expect to
soak it up by osmosis.
Simply being in class does not constitute class participation. Students are expected to contribute thoughts and
ideas, based on readings, class discussion, experiences (both theatrical and otherwise), and assigned activities.
Students who contribute to class regularly, demonstrating knowledge of the readings and class discussion and
drawing on relevant experience, can expect an “A.” “A” work means mastery of the material. For critiques,
new, fresh, unique insights written in a flawless, error-free style are worth an “A.”
Students who demonstrate knowledge of the readings and class discussions, but speak pretty much only when
spoken to may receive a “B.” “B” work means competence in the material. For critiques, well-thought-out
but otherwise unremarkable judgments written with a minimum of grammar and/or spelling errors are worth a
“B.”
Students who rarely participate in class discussions may receive a “C.” For critiques, common, ordinary,
everyday insights written in a mediocre style are worth a “C.” “C” work means showing knowledge of the
material without high competence or mastery of the material. “C” papers tend to lack specific examples from
the production and have more than a handful of grammar and/or spelling errors.
Students who never contribute to class discussion, but are otherwise not a hindrance to the class, may receive
a ”D.” “D” work fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge, competence, or mastery. For critiques, a lack of
any real insights at all – for example, something that’s really nothing more than re-telling the story – and with
serious, grammar, spelling, and particularly structural/organizational problems are worth a “D.” Being too
brief is also grounds for a “D” paper.
Students whose conduct in class proves to be detrimental to productive class time will receive an “F.” “F”
work fails to demonstrate any knowledge, competence, or mastery. For critiques: a paper that has so many
errors in it that it is obvious there was no attempt at proofreading, a paper that is less than one page long, a
paper that shows no evidence that the writer even saw the production, are among the grounds for an “F.”
2. There will be some practical, hands-on components; building and painting sets, hanging lights, running the
sound or light boards, coordinating props and/or costumes, etc., some of which will be done in class.
THEATRE PARTICIPATION in lieu of Final Exam.
You may volunteer to participate in a theatre production as part of technical crew. With proof of
participation in the entire process (i.e. program listing and a brief letter from director/stage manager
stating your role in the crew) you will not be required to take the final exam for this course, and will
receive an automatic “A” for that portion of your grade.
There will be work calls during pre-production weeks. Anyone who attends one of the crew calls will earn extra
credit: one hour worked = one point toward your final grade. Ten hours worked = ten points, which is the
difference between a ‘C’ and a ‘B’ or a ‘B’ and an ‘A’. More details and schedules will be announced later
in the semester.
3. At least seven (7) quizzes will be given, based either on the class discussions or on the readings from the text.
Of the quizzes, the lowest grade(s) will be dropped, and only the six highest will be counted toward the final
grade.
Syllabus – THE 1630 – Fall 2017 – Page 5
4. Each student will submit two critiques (minimum 500 words each) of the technical elements for two
productions: one will be an MU production Date and Title for MU shows will be forthcoming. The other
will be an Outside Production at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre or Gilbert Theatre in Fayetteville, the
Temple Theatre in Sanford, or other area theatre. Other possibilities for attending Outside Productions will be
announced in class, posted on one of the Theatre Department bulletin boards in the hall, or on Blackboard as
the information becomes available. Guidelines for these critiques will be discussed in class. Extra credit will
be given for up to two more critiques. The critiques are due the Thursday after the production closes.
5. There will be two tests: a Mid-Term Test and a Final Examination. The Midterm and Final Exams will be
objective and comprehensive.
Grading Breakdown
M.U Production Critique
Outside Production Critique
Quizzes (6@ 5 % each)
Mid-Term Test (Objective)
Production Paper/Project
Final Exam (comprehensive)
Class Participation
TOTAL
% Final Grade
05%
05%
30%
15%
15%
25%
05%
100
Grade Scale
98 pts. & up: A+(*)
94 - 97 pts.: A
91 - 93 pts.: A-
88 - 90 pts.: B+
84 - 87 pts.: B
81 - 83 pts.: B-
78 - 80 pts.: C+
74 - 77 pts.: C
71 - 73 pts.: C-
68 - 70 pts.: D+
64 - 67 pts.: D
61 - 63 pts.: D-
(*) For individual assignments only – There is no campus-wide grade of A+.
< 61 pts.: F
Syllabus – THE 1630 – Fall 2017 – Page 6
TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN THIS CLASS.
I am currently re-working this curriculum, I will provide you with a more precise schedule of topics as the
course proceeds. The following list (and order) is subject to change…
(1) The Nature of Theatre
(a) Defining Art and Aesthetics
(b) Comparison of Theatre with Other Arts and Humanities
(c) Universality of Theatre
(d) The Nature of Audience in Theatre
(e) Types of Theatre
(2) Theatre Spaces and Set design
(a) Types of Theatres (spaces)
(b) Parts of the Stage
(3) Direction and Production
(a) Producers
(b) Director & assistants
(c) Production Process
(d) Technical and dress
(e) Elements the director shapes
(4) Technical Theatre:
(a) Scenic
(i) Objectives of Scene Design
(ii) Design Elements
(iii) Types of Sets
(iv) Elements of Scenery
(v) Principles & Elements of Design
(b) Costumes/Makeup
(c) Makeup
(d) Lighting and Sound