DESIGN STUDIO I – Spring 2009
Theatre 371-001
M/W/F 8:00-9:00am
Room: ACW 16

Instructors
Roy Hoglund
e-mail: hoglund@uwosh.edu
Office: AC/W 103 - 424-7043
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 10:00am-11:30am or by appointment

Kathleen Donnelly
e-mail: donnelly@uwosh.edu
Office: AC/W 220 - 424-7127
Office Hours: W 10:20-11:20am, Tues/Thurs: 10:00-11:00am or by appointment

Text: There is no required text for this class.
Recommended reference book: J. Michael Gillette: Theatrical Design and Production, 5/e

Plays: The following plays will be required reading
Joe and Stew’s Theatre of Brotherly Love and Financial Success by Jacquelyn Reingold
All in the Timing by David Ives
    Plays: Sure Thing, Words, Words, Words and Philadephia
Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon
Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley

Goals:
Based on goals established by the Theatre program, the goals of this course, for the student, are: 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 make effective use of the research tools available to the theatre artist, critic and historian; 4.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 of this course:  to introduce the theatrical design student to the principles of scenic, costume and lighting design for the stage.  These principles will be demonstrated and tested through projects and presentations. In order to pass this class the student must demonstrate a proficiency in both scenic and costume design in concept and practice.

Instruction:
Lecture material will be presented from 8:00-9:00am. It is important to realize that this time will be spent establishing the base of knowledge required to execute the project.   Additional studio time is required in which the student will work on the project or class exercise assigned.

Materials:
18” x 24” rough newsprint pad /sketch book
Drawing Pencils: Ebony, or HB
White gum eraser
Color media: pan or tube watercolor (Pelikan or Grumbacher (24 colors) is recommended)
Brushes: #6 watercolor brush, and 3/4” camel hair watercolor brush.
Watercolor paper, pad 11” x 14” (Avoid pre blocked pad)
Brown portfolio envelope - large enough to hold 18” x 24”

*Note:  materials must be brought to each class.

Projects:
Three projects are required in the Design Studio 1 class. The purpose of these projects is to introduce the student to the process of design and techniques of communicating design.  Each project is designed to challenge the student in different areas of theatrical design.  Each project will be critiqued on the day it is due by the entire class.  Class participation is mandatory.  

Project Descriptions:

Project 1:  Design of the Student One Act Plays   (Due: 3/12/09)
Scripts:  Joe and Stew’s Theatre of Brotherly Love and Financial Success, Sure Thing, Words, Words, Words, and Philadelphia

The objective of this project is to design costumes, sets or lights for the Student One Acts. This is a practical project that will require the student to work with directors and other designers in a collaborative format. Each designer will be required to develop a script analysis, concept statement, research collage, design paperwork needed for their specific area, and work with the respective shops to realize the design.  

Set design will require: scenic breakdown, rough sketches, thumbnails, groundplan, elevation, white model with painter elevations, scenic shift plot and production shots of the realized scenery.

Costume design will require: rough drawings, costume line drawings, color renderings, costume plot and wardrobe list and production shots of the costumes.

Lighting design will require storyboards, light plot, instrument sheet that includes channel hook up, and color media for each instrument, and cue sheet and production shots of important lighting moments in the plays.  

Project will be graded on completeness of paperwork in a timely manner, creative approach and practical application.

Project 2:  Costume Design for Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon  (Due: 4/17/09)
The objective of this project is to design the costumes for the selected play.  The student must provide all appropriate paperwork as it relates to this area: Script/character analysis, concept statement, research collages and rough sketches for each character. The student will choose a scene with at least six characters to create final line drawings, color boards and painted renderings with fabric swatches for two of the characters. Project will be graded on neatness, clarity of presentation and creative approach.

Project 3:  Set Design for Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley  (Due: 5/13/09)
The objective of this project is to design sets for selected play. The student  will provide all the appropriate paperwork as it relates to design for this unit set:  Script  Analysis and scenic breakdown for the play, research collage, rough sketches/ GP, ¼” groundplan, 1/2” elevation,
¼” white model with painter elevations or painted perspective rendering.

Project will be graded on neatness, clarity of presentation and creative approach.

Design Critiques of Performances:  (Due within a week of play’s closing performance)
The student is required to attend the two mainstage department productions this semester: Doubt and Grapes of Wrath and write a one-two page paper responding to the design elements.

Attendance Policy:
Consistent attendance in studio is critical to understanding the process and techniques of design. If a student is going to be absent for a lecture, they need to contact the professors in advance of the class. The student is also responsible for getting the material that was covered, and be prepared for the next class. Two unexcused class absences will not affect grade, however unexcused absences in excess of two will decrease your overall class grade by two points for each absence thereafter.

Grades:
(40%)      Project 1 – Student One Acts
(25%)      Project 2 – Lost in Yonkers    
(25%)      Project 3 – Crimes of the Heart
 (10%)     Design Critiques of Performances
100%


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Design Studio :  Schedule Spring 2009

February
2    Intro to course/ Brief analysis of scripts due/ Production Meeting 1 w/directors
4    Developing a concept statement/ Research methods
6    Research due/ Designer teams meet

9    Rough groundplan/ rough costume sketches/ light plot of theatre
11    Formalize groundplan/ costume line drawings/ lighting storyboards
13    Production Meeting 2 w/directors: discuss design ideas

16    Intro to Color Theory/Texture
18    Finalize GP, drawings/ Light plot/ and select color palette
20    Groundplan, costume drawings and light plot due/ color samples

23    Intro to Model Making
25    Model workday/ Rendering Techniques/ Lighting boards
27    Model workday/ Rendering Workday/ Lighting boards and color

March
2    Scenic Shifts / Costume Plots
4    Designer Paperwork/ Tech and Dress
6    Design workday

9    Show workday
11    Show workday                PROJECT 1: ONE ACT PLAYS DUE
13    Intro to Project 2: Lost in Yonkers/ Costume Design for mid-large shows

16    Project 2: Script /Character Analysis and Period Research
18    USITT / Research - Library Workday
20    USITT/  Research Collages Workday

23    SPRING BREAK
25    SPRING BREAK
27    SPRING BREAK

30    Costume Plot / Scene Selection/ Rough sketches

April
1    Costume line drawings for each character in a selected scene
3    Select color palette/ Color boards for the selected scene

6    Color Boards Workday
8    Fabric Selection
10    Rendering Techniques and Templates

13    Renderings Workday
15    Renderings Workday
17    PROJECT 2 DUE - Present Costume Designs for Lost in Yonkers

20    Into to Project 3: Crimes of the Heart / Scenic Design and Styles
22    Project 3: Script Analysis/  scenic breakdown and Period Research
24    Floor plan and rough groundplan/sketches

27    Research Collage
29    ¼” Groundplan

May
1    Finalize Groundplan/ Start on ½” Elevation

4    ½” Elevation / Select color and texture
6    Perspective Drawing or Model
8    Renderings/ Model Workday

11    Renderings/Model Workday
13    PROJECT 3 DUE - Present Scenic Designs for Crimes of the Heart
15    FINAL CLASS MEETING