THEATRE TECH I

Course Description

Technical Theatre I is an introductory class that provides students a survey of the technical and design areas of Theatre. Scenery, props, costumes, lighting, sound, makeup and stage management will be explored. Attendance at evening and weekend theatre performances is required.

Learning Objectives

  1. To learn and apply basic theatre terminology, dramaturgy, and other theatre fundamentals

  2. To explore different careers in technical theatre, including directors, designers, and other theatre practitioners

  3. To explore and effectively demonstrate creative design skills that produce functional scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and makeup in a theatrical production

  4. To demonstrate an understanding of the safety requirements and efficient use of tools and materials used in a theatrical production

  5. To apply technical knowledge and skills to collaboratively and safely create functional scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and makeup in a theatrical production

  6. To create production schedules, stage management plans, promotional ideas, and business and house procedures for a theatrical production

Expectations

  • Be on time. Tardiness will not be tolerated.

  • Work hard. Come to all class periods with all necessary materials.

  • Love each other. Life is too short to be ugly to one another -- lift each other up.

Materials

  • Blue or black pen

  • Pencil

  • Highlighter

  • 1 subject spiral notebook (three hole punched preferred)

  • 1” binder for notes and class handouts

Grading

Major grades are projects, assessments, and/or other in-class presentations that account for 60% of the nine weeks grade. Daily grades are participation grades or homework assignments that account for 40% of the nine weeks grade. Per district policy, there will be a minimum of two (2) daily grades recorded per week and one (1) major grade recorded every other week, with a minimum of four (4) major grades being recorded during a nine week period.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend two (2) Ovation Theatre performances per semester as a fulfillment of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for high school theatre. Attendance will be part of the course grades.

Recommended Reading

200 Plays Every Theatre Student Should Know

Carter, Paul Douglas, and George Chiang. Backstage Handbook: an Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information. Broadway Press, 2012.

Gillette, J. M. Theatrical Design and Production: an Introduction to Scene Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup. Seventh edition. McGraw-Hill, 2012.

Holloway, John. Illustrated Theatre Production Guide. Focal Press, 2014.

Pecktal, Lynn. Designing and Drawing for the Theatre. McGraw-Hill Book, 1995.

Raoul, Bill, and Mike Monsos. Stock Scenery Construction Handbook. Broadway Press, 2015.

Riha, Michael J. Starting Your Career as a Theatrical Designer: Insights and Advice from Leading Broadway Designers. Allworth Press, 2012.