Lecture: 2 hours/week
and
Lab: 2 hours/week
In this course, students will participate in a mixture of lecture and hands-on practical learning. The exact make-up of the class time will depend on the activity each week, and might include field trips away from campus. Additionally, students will be expected to participate in 20 hours of practical experience working on the departmental theatre productions. The scheduling of these hours will be made by the student in collaboration with the instructor. These hours might fall outside of regular class time.
- The theatrical process and the production cycle
- Theatre terminology
- Theatre safety (safe use of the shops and theatre area, proper tool use and safety)
- Scenic carpentry (basic use of hand and power tools, introduction to scenery construction methods)
- Scenic painting (basic colour mixing and scenic painting techniques)
- Prop building (basic prop design, choosing materials, and construction tools and techniques)
- Costumes for theatre (basic hand and machine sewing, costume and fabric terminology)
- Theatrical lighting systems (introduction to hanging and focusing lighting instruments, and programming lighting cues)
- Audio systems (introduction to live sound mixing and prerecorded sound cues for theatre)
- Video systems (video playback and basic broadcasting systems)
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the various technical theatre and stagecraft roles and their significance to the overall production;
- Apply the best practices of safety in the performing arts industry;
- Perform the basic skills needed to create simple theatrical props, sets, and costumes;
- Demonstrate the basic methods of operating the lighting, sound, and video systems in a theatre setting.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, and the ability to meet deadlines. Instructors may use a student's record of attendance and/or rate their level of professionalism as part of the student's graded performance. This will be clearly defined in the course outline. An example grading scheme is as follows:
In-class lab assignments: 45% (3 x 15%)
Quizzes and tests: 25%
Participation in productions: 20%
Professionalism: 10%
Total: 100%
A minimum of 20 hours of participation in departmental productions is required in order to receive a passing grade.
Students are required to purchase and wear CSA Grade 1, Green Triangle Safety Footwear.
Other textbooks and required materials will be clearly indicated in the course outline.