THAD 107 – Introduction to Technical Theatre
Fall 2010
TTh 9:30 – 10:50
Minne 357, DBM Theatre and by arrangement
Instructor: Peggy Sannerud
Office: Performing Arts Center 235
Phone: 457-5247
Email: psannerud@winona.edu
Office hours: M-F 1:00-3:00 and by arrangement
Required Text: Michael Gillette, Theatrical Design and Production, 6th ed.
Paul Carter, Backstage Handbook
Kevin Possin, Self-Defense Guide to Writing Position Papers
Concurrent Registration –
Other requirements:
THAD 090 (Showcase) Theatre Majors and Minors
THAD 291 (Rehearsal and Performance) THAD Majors and Minors
THAD 100 (Theatre Activities) All other majors
Attendance at all THAD productions
Class record journal
Course Purpose and Objectives:
This course will prepare students to work creatively as valuable members of a theatre company by
familiarizing them with common design and technical methods and procedures. At the completion of this
course, students will be expected to be familiar with the following:
 The Theatre Building – Describe the form and parts of the physical theatre plant
 Theatre Organization – Identify the many different ways in which theatre workers are organized
and common division of labor in theatre work
 Basic Safety Procedures – Use common backstage safety equipment, react properly in a
backstage emergency, use safe procedures when dealing with tools, rigging, and stage equipment
 Tools – name and use the proper tool for the job
 Materials – Distinguish between many common materials used in theatrical construction, and use
them creatively in accepted ways
 Scenic Production Techniques – Follow instructions for constructing a broadway flat; design
building techniques for scenic building blocks – walls, stairs, platforms, etc.
 Costume Production Techniques – Operate a sewing machine. Follow instructions to create
simple costume pieces. Perform simple repairs.
 Lighting equipment – Hang, focus, and control theatrical lights.
 Sound equipment – Set up and control simple theatrical recording and playback equipment.
Create sound designs with layered effects.
Class Method:
We will accomplish these objectives by reading the text, discussing methods and material in class,
and hands-on work in and out of class. Some projects will be individual and some will be group efforts.
Attendance in class is required. After 4 unexcused absences, your grade will be dropped one letter grade
from the calculated total.
Academic Honesty:
All work produced by a student must represent that student’s personal effort unless the instructor
specifically permits or requires it be done by a group. Papers, quizzes, and other work prepared for class
will contain only the student’s own words, or if the material originated with someone else, it is to be
properly credited with quotation marks and proper citation. Summaries or paraphrases of others’ work
must be credited in a like manner. Work that does not exhibit these characteristics is a form of academic
dishonesty known as plagiarism.
In addition, the making of false statements to earn the right to make up missed work, and cheating
on quizzes and exams are also violations of academic honesty. Any of the above will result in a grade of
‘F’ for the course, and possible additional sanctions, up to and including expulsion from the university.
Projects:
Grading will be similar to that listed below. I reserve the right to make
modifications based on the class character and student progress. As each assignment is
made, it will be posted in D2L and announced in class. To receive a passing grade,
students must complete all work.
Complete project descriptions will be handed out when each assignment is given,
and will be posted on D2L.
1. First Aid & Fire Quiz
2. Theatre Plant & Organization Quiz
3. Tool Quiz
4. Knot Tying Quiz
5. Lighting Quiz
6. Electricity Project – design a simple electrical circuit
7. Creating a box set design
8. Scenic Production – Building a set
9. Technical Critique of a departmental show
10. Flat Building Project
11. Sewing Project
12. Class journal
50 pts
50 pts
100 pts
50 pts
100 pts
50 pts
100 pts
50 pts
100 pts
100 pts
50 pts
P/NC
Preliminary Schedule – subject to change
Aug 25 – Intro and tour
Aug 27 – Production Organization and management
Gillette Chap. 1
Sept 1 – Theatre architecture
Sept 3 – Cleaning and Sweeping – brushes & floors!
Chap. 3
Sept 8 – The Fly Loft
Sept 10 – Fire Safety Day
Chap 4
Sept 15 – Theatre Plant Quiz; First Aid and safety procedures
Sept 17 – First Aid
Sept 22 – First Aid & Fire Quiz; Tools
Sept 24 – Tools
Chap 10
Sept 29 – Building materials
Oct 1 – Tool Quiz; Materials and construction techniques
Chap 10
Oct 6 – Knots and Rigging
Oct 8 – Knots
Oct 13 –Knot Quiz; Construction techniques, Stairs and platforms
Oct 15 – Construction Techniques – Soft goods and flats
Oct. 20 – No Class today
Oct. 22 - Lighting Equipment – hang and focus practice
Oct 27 – Lighting Control – running the equipment
Oct 29 – Electrical safety – wiring
Chap 11
How to Succeed…
Chap 16; Tech Critique #1 Due
Flat Project Due
Nov 3 – Electricity Project - in class
Nov 5 – Lighting Quiz; Costuming
Nov 10 – Costume construction
Nov 12 – Sewing techniques
Nov 17 – Running Wardrobe – costume organization
Nov 19 – Sound systems
Love Song; Chap 21
Nov 24 – More on sound
Nov 26 –- No Class (Thanksgiving)
Hats Project Due
Dec 1 – Running our sound equipment
Dec 3 –
Tech Critique #2 Due
Dec 9 – Final – 1:00 Sound Project and Journals Due
Last chance to hand in anything