Lectures will introduce the nature of individual production related jobs and place each job within the context of the production. Lectures will also include extensive use and explanation of vocabulary and terminology appropriate to theatre production.
In workshop sessions, students will work on real tasks related to production. Students will work individually and in small groups to prepare, coordinate and perform all the necessary functions of the specific production related tasks for which they are responsible.
Students will become familiar with the production and/or performance related requirements of staging a major theatrical production. They will learn specific vocabulary and terminology appropriate to theatre production. They will learn specific production related tasks and learn to apply appropriate resources and procedures to accomplish the tasks.
Examples of Production related tasks:
- Box Office
- Ticket sales
- Cash reconciliation
- Scheduling
- Management responsibilities
- Public interaction
- Procedures related to performance
- Acting
- Rehearsal procedures
- Ensemble work
- Character development
- Interaction with crew members
- Performance requirements
- Concession
- Scheduling
- Cash reconciliation
- Management responsibilities
- Public interaction
- Marketing assessment
- Front of House
- Display coordination
- Scheduling
- Management responsibilities
- Ushering responsibilities
- Communication with Stage Management
- Public interaction
Upon completion of the course, the successful student should be able to:
- develop an understanding of the multiple aspects of staging a play and an appreciation of the teamwork, cooperation and discipline involved in the rehearsal, production, and performance of a piece of theatre
- if assigned to a production assistant position, demonstrate proficiency in a specific production related area such as box office, front of house, concession, etc.
- if assigned to an acting position, demonstrate proficiency in the processes of rehearsal, character development, and performance
- demonstrate a responsible and professional attitude towards his or her assigned tasks.
Attendance (10%)
Due to the fact that this is a studio course, full attendance and regular punctuality is mandatory. The following deductions will apply: 3% off the final mark per missed class or scheduled work shift and .5% off the final mark per late class or scheduled work shift.
Written Journal (5%)
Students are expected to keep a journal for this course. Student reflections on class material and production related jobs should be recorded at appropriate times throughout the semester. The instructor is most interested in seeing if the student is able to express his/her understanding of how to apply the class work to production related tasks.
Attitude/Participation/Progress (10%)
Students are expected to approach their work in a mature and professional manner. Promptness, out-of-class preparation, and consideration of others will be reflected in this mark. Students are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the course, not only individually but also as supportive team and ensemble members. Students will be assessed on an ongoing basis according to level of commitment and self-motivation and the application of classroom theory to appropriate tasks. Students will be assessed with respect to the following: overall professional attitude and deportment; professional conduct with directors, instructors, staff, peers and audience members; successfully meeting all job related deadlines; working effectively and considerately with others; ensuring written work is neat and thorough; taking on additional responsibilities above and beyond job assignments; thoughtful contribution to the ensemble and to the production; degree of success in fulfilling the requirements of each production related task.
Written Work Assignments, Production Work, and Quizzes (65%)
Students will answer several Quizzes on vocabulary, terminology, specific production procedures and requirements. Production work will be assessed by the instructor with respect to specific criteria for each production related job such as preparation of schedules, management briefing, crew briefing, meeting deadlines, creative contribution, etc. More extensive written assignments will also be assigned with respect to individual production job assignments and to the course content as a whole. The weighting and number of Written Work Assignments and Quizzes shall be determined by the instructor but shall correspond to the following guideline:
- Up to 3 assignments x 5%
- Up to 4 assignments x 10%
- Up to 3 assignments x 15%
- Quizzes to a total of 10%
Note: in the cases where a student performs as an actor, a percentage of the Written Work Assignments, Production Work and Quizzes mark (percentage to be determined prior to the beginning of the semester and depending on the demands and nature of the role) will be determined by the director of the production using the criteria stipulated for THEA 2380 or THEA 2480.
Self Evaluation (10%)
Students will complete self-evaluations with respect to the following: professional attitude and deportment; professional conduct with directors, instructors, staff, peers and audience members; successfully meeting all job related deadlines; working effectively and considerately with others; ensuring written work is neat and thorough; taking on additional responsibilities above and beyond job assignments; thoughtful contribution to the ensemble and to the production; degree of success in fulfilling the requirements of each production related task.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.