Theatre Design and Technology II/III/IV Course Expectations

Mrs. Chadwick’s Contact Information    Phone: ext  Class information:  Class information: wick/ wick/  Theatre website:

Course Description   This course is designed to continue the practice of technical skills used in theatrical production.   Students will review and/or be instructed in safety procedures and regulations, stage lighting, sound, scenery construction, stage hardware, costuming, properties, theatre architecture, theatre management and backstage responsibilities.   Students will develop a portfolio of their work in technical theatre. All Technical Theatre students are required to work on Liberty High School theatre department productions in some technical capacity.   There will be required work calls after school and on Saturdays during productions.   There is a $30 course fee

Course Goals   To understand the importance of safety in the theatre and to apply basic principles of safety training in a theatrical environment.   To learn and apply basic elements of theatre design through classical and contemporary script analysis.   To learn the history and organization of the technical staff in a theatrical production.   To develop skills in technical aspects of theatrical production

  To use basic hand tools required in technical theatre.   To apply artistic discipline in collaboration with others.   To learn techniques of scene painting.   To examine how scenic techniques have changed throughout history.   To interpret and implement design drawings in the set up of a production.   To identify and assemble various scenery units.   To operate various kinds of backstage equipment safely.

  To assist in the acquisition and maintenance of theatrical properties and costumes.   To explore and apply research of historical theatrical properties and costumes.   To examine the use of stage make-up in a theatrical production.   To use developed skills in theatrical production.   To examine careers in technical theatre.   To develop a professional resume and portfolio.   To design specific technical elements and *integrate them into a total theatrical production concept.

  To examine and implement the management responsibilities of crew leadership.   To examine and implement stage and house management responsibilities in a theatrical production.   To examine contemporary developments in theatrical design and special effects.   To synthesize knowledge of life and other arts into technical theatre.   To read and analyze important classical and contemporary theatrical literature.

  By the completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:   Demonstrate knowledge of safety regulations in the theatre.   Demonstrate skills in the technical aspects of a theatrical production.   Demonstrate practical applications and varied uses of stage lighting and sound equipment.   Correctly identify all tools, lighting instrumentation, stage scenery, and special effects equipment used in our theatre.   Demonstrate knowledge of the construction of different types of stage scenery.   Construct a set for actual productions.   Design classical and contemporary character costume and make-up and develop morgues for each.   Design classical and contemporary stage settings, lighting effects, sound effects and properties for productions.   After completing Technical Theatre III and IV, the student will be able to successfully complete a CTE exit exam and Portfolio review

Required Materials   -Students are required to have a composition notebook for this class.   -Students are expected to keep all course materials and notes for the duration of the semester.   -Students may write in blue or black ink or pencil in this course.   -Students are expected to come to class prepared, with all materials, daily.

Safety   Tech Theatre students will be required to pass a safety examination (including testing on the safe operation of tools and equipment) prior to working with any theatrical equipment.

Grading   Student grades are based on Daily Skills Practice (30%), which includes but is no limited to tech work plans, and working during class hours   Journal/Notes (15%) which includes think tanks and vocabulary   Pre-Performance/Tech hours/Quizzes (20%)   Performance Evaluation (35%) which includes but is not limited to projects, tests, peer and self evaluation of theatre department required performances.

Course Expectations   All Advanced Tech students are required to be on the crew of at least production each semester and complete a minimum of 5 hours PER QUARTER outside of class time.   When on the running crew for a show, those hours will count toward the required 10 hours.   Students will receive extra credit for hours worked over and above the required amount.   Each student is required to attend one performance of each LHS major production and write a play critique.

Tech Theatre Labs   If a student is unable to complete these hours an alternate assignment may be given.   Students are responsible for clocking in an out during outside of class work hours.   Hours can be met by working Saturday tech calls, working on crews for plays, maintaining shop cleanliness and inventory after school, etc.

Play Analysis Required Attendance   Tech students are required to attend one performance of each of the LHS plays. Each student is required to write a play critique of each production   If a student is unable to attend or participate in a production due to prior commitments, an alternate assignment will be given to the student after the instructor receives a note from the student's parent explaining the conflict   Required performances are listed below: “The Addams Family”-- November Student directed one-acts – Jan 8-10 “The Lost Boys”-- February “Vanities” and “Stand and Deliver” – May 2015 dates TBA

Crew Work Opportunities  See the calendar for crew opportunities  Opportunities will also be announced on my.ccsd.net and libertythespians.org

Collaboration   One of the essential components of this program is learning to work as a collaborative team. This requires cooperation, understanding, tolerance, patience and acceptance of others and their work.   This course will offer fun and exciting opportunities for students who take their education and the art of theatre seriously.

Other Information   Due to the nature of Technical Theatre, students must obey all written and spoken safety rules and regulations. Students engaging in any unsafe behavior will be subject to immediate Dean’s referral.   All technical theatre students are encouraged to sign up for and participate in the running crew of Liberty’s productions. These crews will count towards the required lab hours. Running crews do require technicians to be at rehearsals after school. The best learning opportunities in the theatre take place outside of the regular school day working on productions.   Any technical theatre student wishing to participate in productions on the running crew must also sign the production participation handbook signature sheet.