STAGECRAFTS
Theatre 369
Room AC-W 16
Mon/Wed/Fri 11:30-12:30 |
Mick Alderson
Office AC-W 124
Phone: 424-7051
Office hours: Mon 1:00-2:00 |
Class Schedule |
Projects |
Shop Safety Rules |
Class Notes
Web page: (www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/alderson/stagcrft/97-369.html)
Also available on D2L
PURPOSE: To introduce the theatre student to the principles,
materials, and techniques used in creating and running scenery, props,
special effects, and lighting. Included will be the use of plans,
tools, and construction methods in technical theatre and production.
The course will consist of lectures, quizzes, projects, a production
commitment, and strike participation, as described below.
This class is meant to provide you with an understanding of the
basic skills needed to work in the field of technical theatre. By the
end of the class you should be able to build, install, and run a small
production.
Theatre is a collaborative art, requiring an understanding of the
work of the other artists in the theatre process and of the wider
culture as a whole, which is your source of inspiration. Life is also a
"collaborative art". As part of a liberal arts education, the study of
theatre contributes to an understanding of our culture, how it works
and how it affects us, and why and how we can affect our larger
society. A liberal arts education thus makes us more effective
participants in society.
QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given at the completion of each
unit or sub-unit. These quizzes will be given at the beginning of the
appropriate class period, so be on time.
PROJECTS: Several projects are assigned at regular intervals
throughout the semester and relate to lecture material. These projects
are meant to challenge the hands-on skills and creative problem solving
capabilities of the student, and will comprise the majority of the
final grade.
- PRODUCTION COMMITMENT: Hands-on experience is vital to
learning Stagecrafts, and therefore a production commitment is
required. This may be fulfilled in one of two ways:
- a. Construction Crew: If your schedule permits, you may sign up for
several hours per week for construction work in the scene shop. A total
of 25 hrs. is required.
- b. Running Crew: If your schedule permits, you may be assigned to
the running crew of a show. This will require you to be involved from
technical rehearsals to the close of the show. This commitment will
require 1 1/2 to 2 weeks of evening and weekend rehearsals. You MUST attend every required tech/dress rehearsal and performance! No excuses!
You are directly impacting on the entire Cast, Crew and Audience when
you fail in your committment. Consult the Production Calendar.
In all instances, logging in and out is required for all production commitments. You are responsible
for logging hours in the Log Book in the Technical Director's Office,
W124. If you do not log in and out, the hours won't count.
Please understand that the active participation of the student in
the learning process is essential in this class. Theatre is a HANDS-ON
art! Plan to get to class and lab on time and ready to go. Do not
hesitate to ask questions. When working in the shop, safety rules
will be enforced. Wear clothing you won't mind getting dirty or
painted; no loose clothing or jewelry. Wear sturdy work shoes; no open
toed shoes or sandals. Appropriate hearing and eye protection WILL be
required in the shop. Please refer to attached shop safety rules.
- Be advised that the lab portion of this class requires the student to:
- a. Use hand, portable power and stationary tools commonly used in wood
construction.
- b. Lift weight up to and including 50 lbs.
- c. Work with and around paints, solvents and substances that may
require the use of additional protective devices such as gloves,
respirators, etc.
- d. Work in an environment where sound levels can exceed 125 db, requiring the use of hearing protection.
The student will be instructed in the safe use and operation of all the
above tools, tasks, and systems, and will not be allowed use of these
tools without training and approval. Written, verbal, and physical
demonstrations of an understanding of these safety procedures will be
required.
LECTURE/DISCUSSIONS: Lecture/discussions will take place during
the regular class periods. Students are expected to cover appropriate
sections of all class readings and any additional materials before
the class meets. Most of the readings are available on D2L in the form
of an electronic Textbook, or in the assigned printed text. Books for
supplemental reading will be available in the front office, or as
handouts. The readings are not considered a substitute for attending lectures!
Because many discussions will involve shows which we produce, students
are required to see all productions in the Fredric March and
Experimental Theatres this semester.
STRIKES: a "strike" is the tear down of scenery, lighting and/or
costumes of a production on its closing performance. Strike begins
immediately after final curtain and is approximately two hours in
length. All students are expected to attend two strikes and to be on
time. Note the appropriate dates NOW and schedule accordingly!
Students must check in at the beginning of each strike and out at the
end. If you leave early you will be considered to have missed the
entire strike. Crew assignments will be posted on the bulletin board
before strike.
PRODUCTION DATES:
The Zoo Story: Feb. 13-17, at 7:30 pm, Feb. 18 at 2:00 pm.
Strike is approx. 4:00 pm
Student-Directed One-Acts: Mar. 7-9 at 7:30 pm.
Strike at approx. 10:00 pm (Optional)
The Mad Woman of Chaillot: April 24-27 at 7:30 pm., April 28 at 2:00 pm.
Strike at approx. 4:00 pm
GRADES:
| Quizzes | 30% |
| Projects | 50% |
| Production Commitment | 20% |
| _____ |
| 100% |
Grading will be based on the standard format:
94 - 100 (A); 90 - 93 (A-); 87 - 89
(B+); 83 - 86 (B); 80 - 82 (B-); 77 - 79 (C+); 73 - 76 (C); 70 - 72 (C-);
67 - 69
(D+); 63 - 66 (D); 60 - 62 (D-); below 60 (F).
REQUIRED TEXT:
- The Primary Text for this course is available at no extra charge on D2L.
As a registered student of this course, you have permission to access
this text, and to print out ONE copy of each reading for your own use.
The materials remain the copyrighted property of the Author, i.e. Mick Alderson, and
are not intended for wider distribution.
Supplemental Reading:
- Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information
by Paul Carter, Broadway Press
- Theatrical Design and Production
by J. Michael Gillet
- Stock Scenery Construction Handbook, 2nd Ed.
- by Bill Raoul, Broadway Press
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
Safety Goggles or Glasses - ANSI Z87 approved
#2 Pencil
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:
6 or 8 in. Adjustable wrench
10 to 25 ft. tape measure
ATTENDANCE: Attendance and participation in both lecture and
lab is required and will ultimately affect your final grade, as you are
responsible for all lecture and reading material.
EYE PROTECTION: Although some eye protection is available in
the shop, each student must purchase and use his or her own safety
goggles or safety glasses.
INSURANCE: Each student must have health insurance.
Project 2: FLAT MOVING AND HANDLING
With a canvas flat at least 4'-0" wide and 12'-0" high:
Move flat from horizontal to vertical orientation by edging method.
Move flat from horizontal to vertical orientation by walk up method.
Safely run flat across the deck, checking for overhead obstructions.
Return flat to horizontal position.
Project 3: CONSTRUCTION DRAWING AND CUTTING LIST
On grid paper, draw a rear view of the sample flat, showing all
structural members and parts.
Make an accurate Cutting list for the sample flat you have drawn.
Project 4: WORKING DRAWING
Project: Rough working drawing of a two step box.
Make a working drawing of this two-step box: The drawing MUST be a three view orthographic projection,
with front, plan and side view, be in 1 inch = 1 foot scale, include a
title block with necessary information, have sufficient dimensions for
the shop to build it, and include any other drawing information you
feel is needed. You may use your own choice of drawing methods to
produce the working drawing (traditional drafting tools, CADD, 12 "
ruler and pencil, freehand sketch, crayon on brown paper). Specific
drawing method will not affect grade; any method
that achieves the needed ends will serve. Drawing will be graded on a
reasonable degree of accuracy, on completeness, and readability.
Project 5: MILLING A BOARD
Project : Cut and notch a board to dimensions given.
Cross cut and rip a piece of 1x to exactly 2 5/8" x 1'-2 7/8". Cut a 45o angle on one end. Drill a 3/8" hole 3" in from the 90o
end in the exact center of the lumber. Cut a 3/4" x 3/4" notch on the
edge of the board on the side of and 10" in from the point of the 45o angle. You will be graded on the precision of the cuts.
Project 6: SMALL FLAT
Build a small flat 2 ft. x 3 ft, using standard theatre flat
construction. Cover with muslin. Size with size water and base paint
with white flat latex paint.
Project 7: KNOT TEST
Tie each of the following knots and name an application for each:
--Two half-hitches
--Square knot
--Bowline
--Sheet bend
--Clove hitch
--Figure-eight
--Pin rail tie-off or Belay knot
--Snub knot (stopper hitch, rolling hitch, etc.)
Show the proper method to attach a crosby to a cable loop ("Never saddle a dead horse")
Project 8: RIG A FLAT TO FLY
Rig a flat to fly on a batten, using flying hardware and rope. Fly the
flat on the counterweight system, balancing the weight properly and
making all appropriate calls while moving line sets. Level the flat.
After flat has been inspected, remove flat.
Project 9: PAINTING TECHNIQUES
Using the covered flat you built for the flat project, scumble a color
of lighter value with a color of a darker value. Drybrush a wood-grain
border 8 inches wide along one side of the flat. Finish with a
two-color spatter.
Project will be graded on neatness and successful execution of techniques.