THEATRE 240-01
Technical Theatre - Syllabus
Fall 2011
Instructor: Eric A. Koger
Office: Center for Communication Studies and Theatre, room 306
Office phone: 395 - 2762
Office hours: T/R 2:30pm– 3:3pm, M/W 10:30am - noon
E-mail address: kogerea@longwood.edu
Room: Center for Communication Studies and Theatre, room 106 (Mainstage)
Class Time: M/W, 1pm – 2:15pm
Course Description
This course will give the student a basic understanding and appreciation for the technical side of theatre. It
will provide knowledge of the safe and proper way to handle scene shop equipment.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student should demonstrate the following skills:
1. Safe and proper handling of scene shop tools and equipment.
2. Recognition and demonstration of safety procedures and equipment.
3. An understanding of basic skills and techniques essential to the construction, rigging and shifting of
scenery.
4. A basic knowledge of lighting practices and equipment
5. A firm understanding of the theatre staffing structure
Text (optional)
Holloway, John Illustrated Theatre Production Guide. Woburn: Focal Press, 2002.
Supplies
Architect’s scale rule, not an engineer’s rule
FX presentation/paper – many supplies will be required, including visual aids, color copies and other
materials.
Dress Code
You will get dirty so dress accordingly. See the shop rules concerning appropriate shop safety dress code.
Course Requirements
Class Lectures: Attend all classes, participate in discussion and complete all assignments, projects, quizzes
and exams.
Lab Hours: Fulfill 30 hours of production work. See the Lab Hours section for details.
Preparation: Arrive on time and be fully prepared for class. All work needs to be typed, printed and stapled
before arriving in class.
Departmental Productions: Attend each of the departmental productions.
Eric A. Koger – THEA 240-01 page 1 of 4
Grading
Participation – 10%
Have you been attending class?
Do you answer questions voluntarily?
Do you complete class projects with enthusiasm?
Do you complain about the environment, projects and other students?
Projects/Exams – 60%
Did you turn all of the projects in and were they on time?
Did you take every exam and had you studied?
Lab Hours – 30 %
Be sure to read all of the Lab Hours section below.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all class sessions.
If you come to class unprepared you will be dismissed with an absence.
Going to be absent? Here is the correct protocol. Do all of the following.
1. Explain the expected absence to the instructor at least 24 hours prior to being absent. This
provides the instructor an opportunity to provide you with the homework early.
2. Email the explanation of absence to the instructor at least 24 hours prior to being absent.
Emails sent the day of absence do not count. Instructors are busy and will potentially forget a
verbal conversation. The email, in addition to the verbal explanation, protects your from
potential misunderstandings.
If you do not achieve the two steps mentioned above you will automatically be counted as unexcused.
Excused absences can only be approved through the instructor.
Going to be late? Here are a few concerns to keep in mind.
1. If you are more than one minute late, you are considered late.
2. Three late arrivals equal one absence.
3. If you are late more than 5 minutes you are considered absent.
What are the consequences?
In accordance with the college catalog, a student’s grade may be lowered as follows:
1. three unexcused absences = one letter grade
2. six unexcused absences = two letter grades
3. seven absences = your grade will be an “F”
4. three late arrivals = one absence
This is regardless of whether the absences were excused or not.
Missed a class? Here are some items to ponder.
1. You are responsible for figuring out what you missed. Gather notes from classmates and ask
around to see if something was assigned. You may need to see the instructor for details and
handouts. Also, your due dates are still the same as everyone else.
2. Projects due the day that you are missing can be made up at 20% off per day late. After 5 days
you receive a “0”. See Late Assignments below.
3. Quizzes, in-class worksheets and presentations cannot be made up.
Eric A. Koger – THEA 240-01 page 2 of 4
Lab Hours
Any course you take has an expected out of class workload. This course will have less time consuming
assignments than most courses. In exchange, you are expected to put in “Lab Hours” during this course.
You need to attend 30 hours over the course of the semester. Every hour is worth 1% of your final grade.
So, if you do 20 hours, you have earned 20%. This means in order to earn the full 30% you must do 30
hours of lab. Any hours over the 30 will be considered bonus hours and you will get extra credit, up to an
extra 10. You will need to keep track of your hours by punching a time card.
Late Assignments
If assignments are turned in late for any reason they will be assessed at 20% off per day late. After 5 days
late the assignment will not be accepted and you will receive zero points. Ex – An assignment is due on
Friday. But is not turned in until Tuesday. Lets count the days… Friday (-20%), Saturday (-20%), Sunday
(-20%), Monday (-20%), this equals –80% on Tuesday. If the instructor cannot be found please take your
work to the main office. Make sure the administrative assistant provides a time stamp on your work. Inclass work and quizzes cannot be made up.
Alcohol and Drug Policy
Do not come to class under the influence of, or in possession of alcohol or any illegal substance. Anyone
caught doing so will be denied access to class. This would count as an unexcused absence. It may also
result in further disciplinary action.
Incompletes
Incompletes will only be given under extreme circumstances. No student who currently has a grade of ‘F’
will be given an incomplete.
Honor Code
Any material used in class must be noted as to the source or author. The Longwood College Honor Code
will govern conduct and work in this course.
Disability Statement
It is the responsibility of any student with a physical or learning disability to communicate with the
instructor at, or immediately following, the first class meeting to discuss means of meeting said disability.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from this course in accordance with the college policy as outlined in the college
catalog.
Selected Bibliography
Burris-Meyer, Harold and Edward C. Cole. Scenery for the Theatre. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1971.
Gillete, A.S. Stage Scenery; It’s Construction and Rigging. 2nd Ed. New York: Harper and Row, 1972.
Gillette, J. Michael. Theatrical Design & Production. 4th Ed. London: Mayfield Publishing, 2000.
Ionazzi, Daniel A. The Stagecraft Handbook. Cincinnati: Betterway Books, 1996.
Parker, W. Oren and R. Craig Wolf. Scene Design and Stage Lighting. 7th Ed. New York: Harcourt Brace College
Publishers, 1996.
Pecktal, Lynn. Designing and Drawing for the Theatre. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc, 1995.
Pecktal, Lynn. Designing and Painting for the Theatre. New York: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1975.
Raoul, Bill. Stock Scenery Construction Handbook. Louisville: Broadway Press, 1990.
Eric A. Koger – THEA 240-01 page 3 of 4
Tentative Class Schedule
week 1
week 2
week 3
week 4
week 5
week 6
22-Aug
24-Aug
29-Aug
31-Aug
5-Sep
7-Sep
12-Sep
14-Sep
19-Sep
21-Sep
26-Sep
28-Sep
basics of theatrical construction, who's who
power tool usage, safety
power tool usage
flats, lumber
Labor Day - NO CLASS
flats, lumber
platforms, lumber
platforms, lumber
stairs
doors and windows
hand tools
hand tools
***Juno and the Paycock • September 29th - October 2nd
week 7
3-Oct
5-Oct
amorphous scenery
midterm (20)
***Juno and the Paycock • October 6th - 9th
week 8
week 9
week 10
week 11
week 12
10-Oct
12-Oct
17-Oct
19-Oct
24-Oct
26-Oct
31-Oct
2-Nov
7-Nov
9-Nov
fall break - NO CLASS
theatre spaces, scenic movements
drafting
rigging
soft goods
hardware
production materials
basic lighting system, portable systems
lighting instruments
lighting instruments
***Godspell • November 10th -13th
week 13
14-Nov
16-Nov
FX projects (30)
FX projects
***Godspell • November 17th - 20th
week 14
week 15
21-Nov
23-Nov
28-Nov
30-Nov
painting/props
Thanksgiving - NO CLASS
review
review
***Shel Silverstein November 30th - December 2nd & 4th
FINAL
S
9-Dec
Friday, 3:00 - 5:30 - Final Exam (50)
Eric A. Koger – THEA 240-01 page 4 of 4