STAGE MANAGEMENT (Fall 2008)

THEATRE 330 - 001                                                              

Room AC/W 16                                                          

Tuesday/Thursday: 11:30am -1:00pm

 

Instructors:                                                                                                                

Roy Hoglund

e-mail: hoglund@uwosh.edu

Office: AC/W 103 - 424-7043

Office Hours: M/W/F 10:15am- noon, or by appointment

 

Kathleen Donnelly

e-mail: donnelly@uwosh.edu

Office: AC/W 220 - 424-7127

Office Hours: M/W 10:20-11:20am, Tues: 8:00 -9:00am or by appointment

 

TEXTBOOK: Stage Management (Eighth Edition):

                        Author: Lawrence Stern

 

GOALS: The goals of this class are to develop in the student:  1. To have a broad knowledge of the processes of theatrical production; 2. To be able to analyze and communicate a dramatic text to an audience;  3. To develop a commitment to the pursuit of artistic excellence and integrity.

 

Theatre is a collaborative creative process requiring a broad knowledge of the human condition to be successful.  The importance of theatre in society is well documented, and understanding the role it plays in society contributes to the development of a well rounded citizen.  Theatre, as with all areas of the Liberal Arts, is most effectively employed when it is built on a broad base of knowledge.

 

OBJECTIVE: The goals listed above will be achieved through the following objective: the student will develop the techniques, skills and management style necessary for successfully managing a theatrical production. The objective will be achieved through lecture, discussion, projects and practical experience. It is expected that, upon completion of this course, the student will be able to successfully stage manage a production at UW Oshkosh.

 

LECTURES:  The lecture outline included in this syllabus indicates the dates when topics covered in the course text, Stage Management, will be discussed. Students are expected to read these chapters before class in order to effectively participate in class discussion. Textbook material will be a departing point of the lecture.

 

DISCUSSION: Class discussion serves a dual purpose: 1) to share your thoughts on topics with other members of the class; and  2) to develop interpersonal skills, which are important to be a successful stage manager. Your participation in class discussion is vital to your success in this class.

 

PROJECTS: Two projects are required in this class:

1)         Prompt Book: The prompt book will be developed from the production you are assigned.  This book should be neat and complete, communicating as clearly as possible your cues, blocking, cast list, and all other vital information as communicated in class lectures. The grading of prompt books will be based on whether or not a) the proper information is included; b) the information is arranged in a logical and accessible format; and c) the book is neat, well organized and easy to understand.                                                                                                                  DUE:  See schedule for specific production

 

 

Stage Mgmt Syllabus, p.2

 

2)         Touring Show: The touring show project will consist of a hypothetical touring project for which you are given specific information regarding the production, its size, budget, and schedule. Then, based on the requirements of the production, you must work up a strike plan, a changeover schedule, budget and an itinerary to enable this cast and crew to tour to another theatre. The purpose of this project is to develop skills in coordination, scheduling and production management. The project will be graded on whether or not a) it contains a complete list of information for budget considerations; b) the layout of the information is clear, understandable and neat; and c) the plan is realistic and could be followed for a touring show.                                      DUE:  11/11/08

 

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE: Every student is required tobe involved in practical application of skills they have learned in this class. To fulfill this requirement students are expected to work in a backstage capacity as a Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager or Deck crew chief for one of the following shows: True West, Pygmalion or OŐDell and Myrna.  The purpose of this is to provide the stage management student with practical experience in the rehearsal and performance process. Grading will be based on the studentŐs reliability, attitude, and involvement with the rehearsal process and attendance. Production dates for these three options are listed below:

 

True West: September 15 - 19, and September 24 – 28

Pygmalion:  November 12 – 16

OŐDell and Myrna:  December 4 - 6

 

QUIZZES/ CLASS EXERCISES: Quizzes or Class Assignments will be given covering material from the class. These exercises and quizzes will be averaged for a grade. 

 

EXAMS: A midterm exam and a final exam will be given covering information from the text, lectures, and discussions.   Tests will be in a short essay format.

 

GRADES:  Grading will be based on the standard format of  95-100 (A); 90-94(AB); 85-89 (B); 80-84 (BC); 75-79 (C); 70-74 (CD); 60-70 (D); below 60 (F). The percentages for each course requirement are as follows:

                       

                        Quizzes/Class Assignments                   10%

                        Prompt Book                                       20%

                        Touring Show                                      20%

                        Midterm Exam                                     15%

                        Final Exam                                          15%

                        Practical Experience                             20%

                                                                                   100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage Mgmt syllabus  p.3

 

SEMESTER SCHEDULE:                                                            

 

September      

 

4     Intro to course

9     Ch. 2 Characteristics of a good Stage Manager  (pp. 11-21)

       Ch. 5 Getting Acquainted with your Theatre  (pp. 59-80)

11   Ch. 4 Scheduling & Company Rules  (pp. 44-58)

16   Ch. 6 Expediting Auditions and Readings  (pp. 81-104)

18   Ch. 8 Rehearsal Procedures/ Ch. 9 Working with the Cast  (pp. 113-122, 133-140, 149-162)

23   Ch. 3 & 8 The Prompt Script & Blocking  (pp. 22-43, 123-132)

25   Ch. 5 Stage ManagerŐs Kit  (pp. 66 - 69)

       How to read a ground plan & taping the stage floor  (p. 117)

30   Ch. 10 Department Mgmt: Props/Costumes  (pp. 163-176)/ Prompt Script for True West Due

 

October

 

2      Ch. 11 Props & Scene Shifts  (pp. 177-192)

        Ch. 12 Technical Rehearsal / Dry and Full  (pp. 193-201)

7      Ch. 13 Running the Show & Tech Back Scheduling  (pp. 202-215)

9      Ch. 14 Working with the House Manager  (pp. 216-228) /

14    Ch. 8  Safety  (pp. 140-149)

16    Safety Practicum

21    MIDTERM EXAM

23    Ch. 16 & 17 Introduction of the Touring Project  (pp. 235-263)

28    Scene Shift Practicum

30    Sound Practicum

 

November

 

4      Special Effects Practicum

6      Costumes / Wardrobe Practicum

11    Conflict Management/ Touring Project Due

13    Crisis Management

18    Stage Combat and Stage Managing Musical Theatre/ Prompt Script for Pygmalion Due

20    Chap. 17 Actors Equity

25    Stage Hands Union  (pp. 263-270)

27    THANKS GIVING BREAK

 

December

 

2       Chap.18 & 19 Correspondence and Getting a Job  (pp. 272-285)

4       Review of Final Exam/ Resume workday 

9       FINAL EXAM / Prompt Script for OŐDell and Myrna Due

11     FINAL CLASS MEETING/ Return of Touring Projects