Roberts, Jay M.

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025 Fall 9-1-2023 THTR 102A.01: Introduction to Theatre Design Jay M. Roberts University of Montana, Missoula, jay.roberts@umontana.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi2021-2025 Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Roberts, Jay M., "THTR 102A.01: Introduction to Theatre Design" (2023). University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025. 3218. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi2021-2025/3218 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. THTR 102A 01 Introduction to Theatre Design (3 credits) Tue- Thur 10:30 to 11:50 Gallagher Business Building L04 Instructor: Jay Roberts jay.roberts@umconnect.umt.edu TA: Alessia Carpoca alessia.carpoca@mso.umt.edu Office hours: Tue-Thur 12:00-1:00  PARTV 196 or by appointment please email me about it regardless… Phone: 4062434481 (this is the copy room’s phone, I don’t have an office phone !) Email: jay.roberts@umontana.edu (…this is the fastest way to contact me… I promise � !)  Course Overview: This class will introduce the theatre and non-theatre student to the basic elements of theatre design. The techniques you will explore will broaden your artistic, communication and collaboration skills.  Course Learning Outcomes: By the end of the semester the student should be able to demonstrate: 1: The ability to analyze and conceptualize a text and its characters and to create and draw visual images for the stage from it. 2: The ability to communicate their vision of a play to other members of a creative team. 3: The ability to sketch, draft and render design ideas. 4: The ability to speak with other theatre people using technical theatre terminology. 5: Understand and explain how a creative team of designers can contribute to the success of a performance.  General Education Learning Outcomes: Group iv: Expressive Arts (A) courses are activity‐based and emphasize the value of learning by doing in an artistic context. Upon completion of an expressive art course, students will be able to: 1. express themselves in the making of an original work or creative performance; 2. understand the genres and/or forms that have shaped the medium; and 3. critique the quality of their own work and that of others.  Class format: Lecture in-class and out-of-class projects, presentations of individual and collaborative work. The class has a course supplement using UM Online Moodle Website. All class materials are on Moodle. It is your responsibility to use Moodle the same way you will use a course package or textbook. Our Moodle is divided in modules, Costume Design, Scene Design, and Lighting Design ect. The modules are in order with the timeline of the class, to find what you should be reading or working on each week, first look at the date in this syllabus and then you will be able to figure out which module you should look at.   Class Policies: ● I'm requesting that you assist me in maintaining the best space possible for interaction and learning. Disruptions to this positive and safe atmosphere will not be tolerated. Do not talk during class unless you are contributing to the topic. We will practice empathy, common sense, and common courtesy giving feedback in discussions and presentations. We will keep an open mind for diverse thinking and show respect to each other. ● PHONES: Turn them off. Not on vibrate, off. No exceptions, No texting... Let’s all model good theatre audience etiquette!!! ● Class attendance is your responsibility. Your grade will drop 20 points for each absence after 3 unexcused absences. Tardiness is annoying and not tolerated in professional situations and I request that you be on time. Also, if you must leave class early, please inform me prior to the start of class. ● The instructor will make any effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Please talk to me.    ● Any work not turned in will be assigned zero points rather than an F grade. Practice time management and turn in your homework on time! Work is due in class on the day specified in this syllabus or by 5:30pm on Moodle. THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT WORK FOR THIS CLASS. You can turn in 1 late project for full grade no questions asked (this is your get out of jail card!) After that I will accept late projects only for a University approved reason such as medical emergency, death in the family etc… Please let me know if there is an ongoing reason… ● All written projects must be typed. Un-typed work will not be accepted. Any assignment consisting on multiple pages must be stapled in the upper left corner or placed in a folder/3 ring binder. ● Each student will submit homework through Moodle. Exceptions can be made for drawings, renderings and models. If you have never used Moodle please let me know before the first project is due.  Students with disabilities may request reasonable modifications by contacting me. The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students (DSS). “Reasonable” means the University permits no fundamental alterations of academic standards or retroactive modifications. For more information, please consult https://www.umt.edu/dss/.    Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at  www.umt.edu/student-affairs/community-standards/default.php. All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online at http://www.umt.edu/umarts/theatredance/About/handbook.php.  There is inherent risk involved in many Theatre & Dance classes as they are very physical in nature. Please proceed through class, shop time, or rehearsal with caution. Always be mindful of your personal safety and the safety of others. Students participating in class/shop/rehearsal/performance do so at their own risk. Due to safety considerations, at no point during a student’s time spent in class or serving on a production (in any capacity) should non-enrolled persons be guests of that student without my consent. Presence of such unauthorized persons in a class, shop, or any backstage/off-stage area will negatively affect a student’s grade.  We, the College of the Arts and Media at the University of Montana, have chosen to actively pursue equity and access for all persons. In this charge we will be researching, planning, and implementing ways in which our culture can be more accessible, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. It is not enough to be anti-bias in principle without being equitable in action. We will implement these actions organized by a group of students, faculty, and staff across the entire College of the Arts and Media (CAM) in an ongoing way.    All required reading materials are available on Moodle:  Play 1 "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell. Play 2 “Present Laughter” by Noel Coward   Grading: Here is what I will look for when grading, in order of priority: 1) Did you complete the entire assignment? 2) Did your work show signs of improvement from start to finish?  3) Did you follow instructions as well as you could?  4) How "good" is your work compared to: your other work in class, others' work in this class You will earn points rather than letter grades for your projects. At the end of the semester points will be translated into letters following the university guidelines.  Numerical and letter grades may be viewed Online at any time by clicking on "My Grades" (to the left on the main course page). You will start the course with a "0" and build points as you go along.  PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT YOUR FINAL TEST AND CRITIQUE PAPER 2 ARE DUE ON WED DEC 12 by noon. All other assignments are due by 5:30 on the day specified below!   Grade Weight:                                                                                                                       Due date   Points Assignment 1  Costume Design. Homework assignment 1: Understanding period. Sep 14 100 Assignment 2  Costume Design. Homework assignment 2: Costume Design for Play 1 Sep 26 100 Test 1 online Costume Design Sept 28  50 Assignment 3  Set Design. Homework Assignment 3:  Scale Ground Plan. Oct 17 100 Assignment 4 Set Design. Homework assignment 4: Scene design for Play 2  Oct 31 100 Test 2 online Set Design Nov 2 100 Critique Paper1 1  Critique the Costume and Scenery for A Wrinkle in Time Nov 9  100 Assignment 5  Lighting Design. Homework Assignment 5:  Recreate that painting Nov 16 100 Assignment 6 Lighting Design. Homework Assignment 6:  Lighting Design for Play 2  Dec 7 100 Test 3 online Lighting Design  Dec 12 by noon  50 Critique Paper 2  Critique Costumes, Scenery and Lighting for Dance Up Close Dec 12 by noon 100 Total:    1000  Critique Paper 1 will require you to answer to 4/6 questions on the set and costume design for A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, adapted by Morgan Gould, 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees only, Sun, 10/15 and 10/22, Montana Theatre, PARTV Center (Oct 12-15 and 19-22)  Critique Paper 2 should review Dance Up Close, 2 p.m. matinee Sat, 12/2, Masquer Theatre, PARTV Center November 30, December 1-2, at 7:30 p.m, and focus on scenery, costume and lighting design (2 to 3 pages)  Tools & Materials List (all available at the bookstore in the UC) ● Soft pencils (2B) ● Erasers (kneaded grey) and sharpener ● Pastel pencils (Generals 12 pencil’s box)  ● A decent sketchpad bigger than 8.5 x 11 inches for class exercises. ● Stump Blender ● Sobo craft glue or elmers glue ● 18” Straight edge ruler (a metal one will be better)  ● Scissors ● X-acto knife with blade n.10 ● Masking tape ● 1or 2 sheets of black, 1/8” thick, foam core for scene design project (will discuss size in class)  Course Schedule: Please note that this may change due to a variety of circumstances, large-scale changes will result in the issue of a new schedule, and minor alterations will be handled in class. How to read this:  Column 1 from the left (date) Column 2 what we will be doing in class on that date Column 3 what you should be doing as homework at home Column 4 maximum number of points you will gain when you turn in assignments on time  Date Topic Assignment / Activity Points Aug 29 Introduction, syllabus, Lecture Day 1: Design and Production Jobs.  Drawing on the Right side of the Brain. Read Design and Production Jobs and The Production Process on Moodle under Topic 1 (…close to the top of the Moodle home page)  Aug 31 Lecture: Costume Design 1 9 Classification of characters. Class exercise: Cinderella    If you miss a class, please go to Costume Design: Lectures and other readings (lectures are available as a powerpoint or video or both)      Sept 5 Character Sketch Treasure Hunt      Sept 7 Lecture: Costume Design 2.  Research materials. Class exercise: period and shapes  Homework assignment 1: Understanding period. Due on Sept 14 in class or by 5:30pm     Sept 12 Lecture: Costume Design 3.  Elements and Principles of visual language. Class exercise: Emotions, mood and fabric    Sept 14 Lecture: Costume Design 4 (Costume project) Reading a play, making notes finding a concept Class exercise: Concepts                         Homework assignment 1: Understanding period  Read Play 1: TRIFLES (Moodle) by Sept 20. Homework assignment 2: Costume design. Due on Sept 26 in class or by 5:30pm  100 Sept 19 Discussion on Trifles.  Work on refining concept and research    Work on research for Trifles (remember to include everything the characters’ wear…shoes, hairstyle, jewelry, hat… even  socks if they show or are important to you…) Sept 21 Lecture Day 6: Costume Design 5 Costume Renderings and Line Drawings               Class exercise: Line drawing     Work on sketches and renderings for Trifles  Sept 26 Homework assignment 2: Costume design   Theatre Terminology. Class meets in the lobby of the Montana Theatre please do not wear high heels or flip flops Class exercise: Set Design onstage Read: The Costume Designer Moodle under Costume Design, then take TEST 1: Costume Design by 5:30pm on September 28 (opens on the 23 at 9am) 100 Sept 28 TEST 1 Costume Design take by 5:30pm Lecture: Scene Design 1 Class exercise: theatre terminology    Read: Stage Terminology and Box Set versus Wings and Drops Set (in Scene Design Lectures and Readings) and The Physical Space and its auditorium   50 online test Oct 3 Lecture: Scene Design 2 Realism versus abstraction. Primary and secondary research for set. Class exercise: Guess the theatre, show and mood. Class exercise on theatre types and shows  Read PLAY 2: Present Laughter on Moodle under Scene Design, by Oct 10 (there is a missing page in this pdf you can find it on Moodle…)          Oct 5 Found Spaces Treasure Hunt   Research images for “Present Laughter” (you do not need to turn them in or specify sources…)  Oct 10 Lecture: Scene Design 3(Sketching) Discuss “Present Laughter”  Class exercise: reading for clues   Write concept statement and scenery needs for “Present Laughter” no need to turn in until Nov 1 when the whole project is due!  Oct 12 Workday on ground plan  Homework Assignment 3:  Scale Ground Plan. Due on Oct 17 in class or by 5:30pm.    Oct 17 Homework Assignment 3:  Scale Ground Plan Lecture: Scene Design 4 (perspective) Class exercise: perspective sketch           Gather materials for model building and finish set sketch  100 Oct 19 Lecture: Scene Design 5 (model building) Principles of composition and visualization of space. Class exercise: Theatre Blocks  Start working on model for Homework assignment 4: Scene design. Due Oct 31 in class or by 5:30pm    Oct 24 Workday on model   work on model for Homework assignment 4: Scene design. Due Oct 31 in class or by 5:30pm    Oct 26 Workday on model.     Oct 31 Homework assignment 4: Scene design.   Lecture: Lighting Design 1  Basics of Lighting Design: visibility, direction, mood Class exercise: visibility, angles  Read The Set Designer on Moodle in Scene Design Lectures and Readings and take Test 2: Scene Design on Moodle by 5:30pm on Nov 2(opens on Oct 28 by 9am)   100 Nov 2 TEST 2 take by 5pm                                           Lecture: Lighting Design 2 (color) Class exercise: Color, mood and fabric Homework Assignment 5:  Recreate that painting Due Nov 16 online by 5:30pm. It’s Thanksgiving week, it maybe safe to turn it in early… 100 online test  Nov 7 ELECTION DAY NO CLASS  Work on Critique Paper 1 due on Nov 9 take a look at the Critique 1 suggestions file on Moodle   Nov 9 Critique Paper 1 due  Lecture: Lighting Design 3 (Concept) Concept and paperwork. Discuss lighting for Play 2  Read: The Lighting Designer on Moodle in Lighting Design Lectures and Readings. Develop a lighting concept and a list of necessities 100 Nov 14 Lecture: Lighting Design 4 (light plot) Lighting your specific set. Develop a Light Plot. Virtual Light Lab  Homework Assignment 5:  Recreate that painting Due Nov 16 in class or online by 5:30pm.   Nov 16 Homework Assignment 5:  Recreate that painting Lecture: Lighting Design 5 (sketches)  Light and Shadow Sketch exercise. Please bring black paper and a white pencil to class! Gather your research and write a lighting concept for Homework Assignment 6:  Lighting Design for Play 2 due Dec 7 by the end of the class period. 100 Nov 21 NO CLASS TODAY have a safe travel     Nov 23 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY    Nov 28 Portfolio and presentation tools and skills lecture  Collaboration: class exercise  Start working on your light plot. Homework Assignment 6:  Lighting Design for Play 2 due Dec 7 by 5:30pm     Nov 30 Lecture: Lighting Design 6 (dance lighting)   Start working on your light plot. Homework Assignment 6:  Lighting Design for Play 2 due Dec 7 by 5:30pm  Dec 5 Workday on Homework Assignment 6:  Lighting Design Project. Let’s make the light plot! Review lecture 5 and look at the examples: Lighting samples (readings)   Dec 7 Workday on Homework Assignment 6:  Lighting Design Project due by 5:30pm  Let’s do the lighting sketches! Test 3: Lighting Design(will open on Friday Dec 8 at 9am and close Tuesday Dec 12 by noon) 100 Dec 12 Critique Paper 2 due and  final online TEST 3 on Lighting Design Both due online by Dec 12th by noon(please account for any possible problem by turning this earlier than the deadline…)  100 50 online test   

THTR 102A.01: Introduction to Theatre Design

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THTR 102A.01: Introduction to Theatre Design

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