Course Description
Technical Theatre is an introductory course for students who are new to the formal, hands-on, backstage process. This class requires students to work individually and collaboratively on research and historical knowledge, as well as through renderings, scaled drafts/plots, and student-designed projects. This course promotes the learning of technical aspects through working with other members of production teams and acting groups to develop stage-worthy creations for audience consumption. Classes such as these will assist the student in sharpening their skills in preparation for real-world problem-solving and possible writing and design work.
Required Materials : Please bring the following to class each day (unless otherwise stated by the instructor)

Sketchbook, design book, or writer’s notebook

Spiral notebook with pockets or three-ring binder for notes and handouts

Pens (blue or black ink only!) or pencils (for drawing/rendering/script notation)

Composition or one-subject notebook for journaling

Flash drive

Colored pencils, markers (thin)

Painting or makeup clothes (depending upon section)
Grading Sections
Summative Assessments dramatic study
– Major design pieces, projects, assignments and tests that demonstrate a student’s growth and proficiency in areas of
60%
Formative Assessments – Small projects, sketches, chapter/vocabulary quizzes, journal work, and other theatre techniques and activities that help increase knowledge base and skill level
Informal Assessments skill and indicators of progress
Final Exam
– Assignments that practice learning, shows patterns of
(unweighted)
– Culmination of course study and skill set
60%
20%
Weeks 1-4: August 1 – August 31:

Introductions and Syllabus

HHS Theatre Department

Student Introductions

Improvisational Acting Games
 Drama Journal Work (collected at month’s end)

Reflections about design/discussion

Students set personal learning and skill set goals for semester.


Developing basic vocabulary of designer jargon according to specialty.

Safety procedures/guidelines concerning equipment.

Examine history behind tech specialties; looking at major eras/periods.

Understanding trends/patterns/styles in major periods of design or writing.

Examining current trends/styles and influences.

What is tech theatre/design? Theatre Vocabulary
 Building designer’s/playwright’s notebook.
(One-Act Play Auditions; Dates TBA.)
Weeks 5-7: September 3 – 28:

Cumulative Exam #1
 Drama Journal Work (collected at month’s end)

Writing Assignment #1

Improv games

Building designer’s/playwright’s notebook.

Observational drawings/writings: outside work (weather permitting)

Observational drawings: effects of light and space on technical theatre

Observational writings: looking at limitations of space.

Basics of Technical work: figure drawing, light/sound plots, ground plans and elevations

Basics of playwriting: plot, character, action

Beginning work with equipment
* Labor Day Holiday. No School September 3 rd .
**Progress Reports September 7 th .
***September 12 th Early Release Day – Students dismissed two hours early.
****Fall Break. No school Sept. 24-28.
Weeks 8-11: October 1-26:
 Drama Journal Work (collected at month’s end)

Improv games
 Building designer’s/playwright’s notebook.

Getting into theatre for practical work – hang/focus, sound levels, board preps; building flats/platforms, painting techniques, prop/furniture placement; sewing techniques, fabric draping, pattern work; blocking movement, actor development.

Choosing personal/small group play for design work; developing small play or longer scene.
*Parent/Teacher Conference week, Oct. 15-19 – Students dismissed one hour early.
** Progress Reports issued October 19 th .
Weeks 12-15: October 29 – November 30:

Writing Assignment #2

Storytelling project

Drama Journal Work (collected at month’s end)
 Building designer’s/playwright’s notebook.

Working with Drama II and Drama III & IV scripts for design development and production.

Working on personal design or writing project.
*Nov. 6 th - Paulding County Voting: No School.
** Progress Reports issued November 16 th .
***November 19-23: Fall Holidays (Thanksgiving) – Schools Closed
( Auditions for Spring Musical; dates TBA.)
Weeks 16-18: December 3 – 19:

Cumulative Test #3
 Drama Journal Work (collected at month’s end)

Improv games

Writing Assignment #3
 Building designer’s/playwright’s notebook.

Working with and completing personal design/writing project

Finishing designs or directing work for outside Drama classes for school productions.

Make-up assignments

Review for Midterm exam


Semester Exams
*December 12 th – Early release Day, students released two hours early
** Drama Club holiday bear sale Dec. 10 th .
*** Holiday Break begins Dec. 20 th .
(Holiday Show performances; dates TBA.)
Expectations:
Of course, excellent behavior and respect are expected at all times. This course cannot be successful without your willingness to participate in the many activities associated with learning to become a designer. Technical Production and Theatre Arts are subjects that I take very seriously, and I am excited about introducing you to this world. While this is an elective course, you still need the extra credits to graduate. In my mind, this class is fairly easy to pass, provided you participate and pay attention. I hope to see you here everyday, ready to work.
Discipline issues will be handled according to the student handbook. Consequences will include: student/teacher conferences, phone calls to parents, detentions, and administrative referrals. Please decide now that you will behave in a proper manner and will strive to do your best. I will not tolerate disrespect in any form, and will deal with it swiftly and harshly. There will be many times this semester in which you and your peers will present work in front of the class. This can be very nerve-wracking. For this reason, our class MUST be emotionally safe – there will be NO offensive or negative judgments made to someone who is presenting designs or other work. Constructive criticism is used as a tool to help designers/techs grow and learn, and should be practiced at the proper time. All students need to be helpful audiences, which includes being quiet and attentive – even if the design idea is not to your liking.
If you find you enjoy drama and wish to continue in the program, there are a few necessary requirements that must be met before advancing. You cannot move forward until Drama I has been satisfactorily completed. For students with scheduling issues but having theatrical experience in other venues, arrangements can be made with instructor’s permission. A total of ten crew hours must also be completed within a scholastic year for HHS drama productions.
These could include: performing in a show outside of class time; participating on tech crew; selling tickets or concessions for productions. Please see the bulletin board or Mrs. Grazer for more information concerning the crew points system. (Most crew hours are based on the International Thespian Society system of which HHS Drama is a participating member.) Attitude and ability to work well with others is also considered by instructor for student progression in department.
Throughout the semester, performances and class activities will be photographed and recorded for student evaluation.
National Standards for Theatre Arts http://www.aate.com/?nationalstandards912
GPSs for Drama and Fine/Performing Arts https://www.georgiastandards.org/Standards/Pages/BrowseStandards/FineArts.aspx