TA-136; DESIGN FOR THE THEATRE
Instructor: Robert Hamel
Monday and Wednesday: 3:15-5:05pm
Office Hours: MTWF 11-12, 1-2
Office Phone: x6797
rhamel@westmont.edu
Spring, 2011
ADAMS 221
4 Credits
Cell 319-572-7092
Fax: 805-565-7240
Overview
An examination of the creative process of traditional theatrical design. Covers theory,
analysis, interpretation, and decision-making involving basic design elements and
principles. Includes some design history, along with projects in design, and script
analysis from a design perspective. The nature of this class is much closer to an Art class
than it is a Theatre Technology Class.
GE Course Identification
This course meets the Performing and Interpreting the Arts component of the Westmont
GE requirement in that it enables students to demonstrate appropriate techniques and
critical awareness in an artistic production.
Course Objectives
1. To gain a practical grounding in the creative process of traditional design for the
theatre.
2. To gain an appreciation of the relationship between the professional technician,
director, actor and designer.
3. To develop an appreciation for the interrelationship between design and
performance.
4. To demonstrate competency in architectural drafting as a theatre communication
tool.
5. To gain an understanding of the principles of design as they are used within the
world of the theatre.
6. To observe live theatre and be able to articulate and critique the design choices
made in the production.
7. To demonstrate the ability to analyze a theatrical script from a design perspective.
Classroom Policies
Respect your fellow theatre artists. Be on time and ready to go!
Please wear appropriate clothing to class. We will get dirty.
Please observe proper care of our shared education space.\
Please respect the fragility of our drafting tools.
Text Requirements
Theatrical Design and Production by J. Michael Gillette any edition from 4-6
ISBN 0-07-256262-5. Those of you who had Stagecraft class will already have this
book. Others may find it cheap online. Sharing is perfectly fine. (2 to a book)
You may also wish to purchase an online copy of Backstage Handbook by Paul Carter,
ISBN 0-911747-14-1. This is a great resource for practical construction details you will
need for your designs, i.e. exactly what are the dimensions of a window, a door, etc.
Art Supplies Requirements
Each student should have each of the following. Sharing is allowed but not encouraged.
You will need them by the second class session and all are available in the bookstore.
Drafting Kit, Transparent Watercolor Set, Mixing Palette, Brass Pencil Sharpner,
Bristol Board (Smooth or Vellum), Tracing Paper.
In addition you will need #2 Pencils and a sketch pad.
The Theatre Department will supply you with T-Squares, Matte Board, Glue, Pins,
Script, etc.
Live Theatre
Tickets to see plays will be required (up to 3 productions of your choice)
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS
Script Design Analysis Assignments
Students will write 5 Script Design Analyses, one of 1 page in length and four of 2-3
pages in length. The nature of each assignment will be provided in writing prior to the
assignment and may be written in outline format. Script Design Analysis 1 will be a one
page reflection on your emotional response to your reading of Shakespeare’s Romeo and
Juliet. This assignment is due at the start of class on January 12, 2011.
Emotional Response Assignment
Students will create some physical object which reflects their emotional response to
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The art object may be of absolutely any medium so
long as its’ primary purpose is to facilitate the students presentation on their emotional
response to the script. Each student will make a presentation in class and turn in a written
Emotional Response Analysis on Wednesday, January 12, 2011.
Basic Groundplan, Front and Side Elevations
Students will prepare a basic Architectural Drafting of Groundplan, Front and Side
Elevations for Porter Theatre. See Class Schedule for due date for this assignment.
Basic Black Model of Porter Theatre
Students will build a ¼” scale model of Porter Theatre using black foam core board
supplied by the Theatre Department.
Scene Design, Analysis and Design Presentation for Romeo and Juliet
Students will write a 2-3 page Scene Design Analysis Paper, outline format acceptable.
They will also produce a finished Scene Design Presentation for their production of
Romeo and Juliet in Porter Theatre. Students will have an unlimited budget and will
make all necessary directorial choices for their design concept. The presentation shall
include all visual research, a Matte Board model of Porter Theatre containing their White
Model, a Ground Plan, Front and Side Elevations, and a Full Color Rendering of the Set.
This presentation will take place in class on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.
Lighting Design Presentation for Romeo and Juliet
Students will write a 2-3 page Light Design Analysis Paper. They will also produce a
complete Lighting Design Presentation for their production of Romeo and Juliet in Porter
Theatre. Students will have an unlimited budget and will make all necessary directorial
choices for their design concept. The presentation shall include all visual research, a
Light Plot and a Magic Sheet. This presentation will take place in class on Monday,
March 9, 2011.
Sound Design Presentation for Romeo and Juliet
Students will write a 2-3 page Sound Design Analysis Paper, outline format acceptable.
They will also produce a complete Sound Design Presentation for their production of
Romeo and Juliet in Porter Theatre. Students will have an unlimited budget and will
make all necessary directorial choices for their design concept. The presentation shall
include all visual research, a Sound Cue Sheet and a Sound Mix for their design concept.
This presentation will take place in class on Wednesday, March 23, 2011.
Costume Design Presentation for Romeo and Juliet
Students will write a 2-3 page Costume Design Analysis Paper, outline format
acceptable. They will also produce a complete Costume Design Presentation for their
production of Romeo and Juliet in Porter Theatre. Students will have an unlimited
budget and will make all necessary directorial choices for their design concept. The
presentation shall include all visual research, and Three full color renderings of major
characters and 1 full color rendering of a group of 5 secondary characters plus fabric
swatches. This presentation will take place during the final exam period on Tuesday,
May 3, 2011 at 8 AM.
Live Theatre Design Critique Assignments
Students will write three Live Theatre Design Critique Assignments which will each
answer three questions of all four areas of design. The questions are; What was the
designer attempting to do? How did it affect me? And did it work, was it worth it?
Paper length will depend on how long students need to thoughtfully answer the questions.
Method of Assessment
Grading will follow the standard Westmont model:
91-100% A; 81-90% B; 71-80% C; 61-70% D; below 60% F
Grades are never rounded upward. Plus and Minus grades are the upper and lower 2% in
each grade category and look like this; 90-88% B+, 87-84% B, 83-81 BThere is no extra credit available in this course.
Potential Points for Assignments
Students may earn a total of 4000 points in this course. Points may be earned in the
following manner:
Attendance and Class Participation:
500pts
Live Theatre Design Critiques 200ea.
600pts
Project 1- Emotional Response:
100pts
Analysis 1
100pts
Project 2- Scene Design Presentation
500pts
Analysis 2
300pts
Project 3- Light Design Presentation
300pts
Analysis 3
300pts
Project 4- Sound Design Presentation
200pts
Analysis 4
300pts
Project 5- Costume Design Presentation
500pts
Analysis 5
300pts
TOTAL
4000pts
Attendance and Participation
Attend all class meetings and assigned complete assigned work. College policy allows 2
excused absences. Unexcused absences will lower your grade by 1/3 (i.e. A- to B+, C to
C-). This will also apply to every two excused absences beyond the policy of two
excused. Tardiness may reflect negatively on your participation points.
You will be required to complete projects as assigned and participate in scheduled
excursions and performances. “Excellent participation (A work)” is defined as -when a
student listens and applies what is taught, does all assignments, makes enthusiastic and
intelligent contributions to the class, is articulate and thorough in their Presentations and,
shows great willingness to expend their understanding of this subject, regardless of their
starting point.
Students with Special Needs
Students who have been diagnosed with a disability (learning, physical or psychological)
are strongly encouraged to contact the Disability Services office as early as possible to
discuss appropriate accommodations for this course. Formal accommodations will only
be granted for students whose disabilities have been verified by the Disability Services
office. These accommodations may be necessary to ensure your full participation and the
successful completion of this course.
Please contact Michelle Hardley, director of Academic Advising and Disability Services
(x6159, mhardley@westmont.edu) as soon as possible.
CLASS SCHEDULE TR-136; Design for the Theatre
Week 1 (January 10, 12)
First reading of Script and Emotional Response; Emotional Response due Jan 12.
Start Scene Design Research
Week 2 (January 19)
Mechanical Drafting; Gillette, Chap. 7, pp. 113-135
Drafting Porter Theatre Ground Plan, Front Elevation and Side Elevation
Week 3 (January 24, 26)
Scene Script Analysis due Jan. 24; Scene Designs Research Presentations
Style, Composition and Design; Gillette, Chap. 5, pp. 75-87
Rough Sketches of Student Scene Design for Romeo and Juliet
Drafting Student Scene Design; Ground Plan, Front and Side Elevation
Week 4 (January 31, February 2)
Drafting Student Scene Design; Ground Plan, Front and Side Elevation
Perspective Drawing; Gillette, Chap. 8, pp. 136-160
Three-Point Perspective Set Drawing
Week 5 (February 7, 9)
Three-Point Perspective Set Drawing
Color; Gillette, Chap. 6, pp. 88-112
Full Color Set Rendering; Introduction to Watercolor Techniques
Week 6 (February 14, 16)
Scene Painting; Gillette, Chap. 12, 281-310
Full Color Set Rendering
Finish Scene Design for Romeo and Juliet
Week 7 (February 23)
SCENE DESIGN PRESENTATIONS
Lighting Design; Gillette, Chap. 14, pp. 338-373
Introduction to Lighting Design, Light Plot, Magic Sheet, Light Research
Week 8 (February 28, March 2)
Light Script Analysis for Romeo and Juliet due Feb. 28; Drafting Light Plot Pres.
Drafting Light Plot, Preparing Magic Sheet
Week 9 (March 7. 9)
Drafting Light Plot, Preparing Magic Sheet
Light Design Work Day
Week 10 (March 14-18)
SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!
Week 11 (March 21, 23)
LIGHT DESIGN PRESENTATIONS, Thursday, March 21.
Sound Design; Gillette, Chap. 21, pp. 511-545
Introduction to Sound Design, Sound Research, Sound Effects, and Sound Cue Sheets
Sound Design Work Day
Week 12 (March 28, 30)
Sound Design Work Day
SOUND DESIGN PRESENTATIONS, Thursday, March 30
Costume Design; Gillette, Chap 18, pp. 438-460
Introduction to Costume Design, Drawing the Human Form, Full Color Costume
Renderings, Fabric Swatching
Week 13 (April 4, 6)
Costume Script Analysis due Apr. 4; Costume Research Presentations
Live Drawing of the Human Form; Character Drawing
Week 14 (April 11, 13)
Costume Rendering Work Days
Week 15 (April 18, 20)
Costume Rendering Work Days
Week 16 (April 27)
Finish Costume Design
Final Exam Week (Tue.; May 3; 8-10 am.)
COSTUME DESIGN PRESENTATIONS