1. Technical Theatre Course
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Curriculum

2. Course Description:
This course is designed to help students interested in technical aspects of theatre to integrate and build upon concepts and skills acquired in Introduction to Theatre Arts.
This course affords students the opportunity to gain experience in all elements of technical theatre through practical application.

3. Units of study Theatre spaces Stagecraft
Scenery construction and painting
Scenic design
Properties construction and management
Theatre management
Sound design
Masks
Stage Management
Lighting design
Costume design and construction
Responsibilities and careers
Makeup design and application
Special Effects

4. Analysis and Response
“Students will study, analyze and respond to a variety of theatre experiences” that will refine skills in:
communication
collaboration
analysis
interpretation
problem-solving

5. Process and Development
Technical Theatre will focus on the process and development of
performances from the technician’s perspective
expansion of students’s technical and artistic abilities and appreciation of theatrical arts.

6. Units (protocols and principles )
Unit 1: Safety
Unit 2: Theatre Response
Unit 3: Principles of Design
Unit 4: Application of Design Principles

7. Units (process and production)
Unit 5: Sound
Unit 10: Scenery
Unit 6: Lighting
Unit 11: Technical Production Project/Execution (per semester)
Unit 7: Costumes
Unit 8: Make-up
Unit 9: Props

8. Units (management and careers)
Unit 12: Stage Management
Unit 13: Theatre Management and Administration
Unit 14: Technical Director
Unit 15: Careers in Technical Theatre

9. Unit 1: Safety (General)
Unit elements used in all classes that meet in or have access to theatre space(s)

10. UbD Elements: Safety Established Goals:
To create a culture of safety in the theatre environment
Essential Questions:
What makes a space safe?
For what is each person responsible to be considered safe?
What are the guidelines for working safely in theatre?

11. UbD Elements: Safety Students will know...
How to respond to an emergency in the theater
What constitutes a safe work space
What safety gear is needed for each person
How to handle tools and systems safely
How to maintain a safe work space

12. UbD Elements: Safety
Enduring Understandings: Students will understand that...
The very nature of theatre involves some special hazards, including safety hazards, fire hazards and chemical hazards. Backstage crew, performers, and sometimes even the audience can be at risk.
It is the responsibility of everyone in the cast and production staff to avoid accidents and to conduct themselves safely in all phases of producing a play.

13. UbD Elements: Safety Students will be skilled in doing:
Responding to an emergency in the theater
Safely using, storing and maintaining tools, supplies and equipment
Climbing a ladder safely
Lifting safely
Keeping the space clean and orderly

14. SOL Elements: Safety
2013 SOL Strands: Design and Production Theatre History & Cultural Context Analysis, Evaluation, & Critique Aesthetics Safety

15. Beyond the State Standards:
VBO The student must know how to follow safety guidelines and demonstrate appropriate safety techniques.
VBO The student will make connections between theatre safety practices and real world situations.

16. 21st Century Skills Emphasis
Critical & Creative Thinkers Innovators, and Problem Solvers
Effective Communicators and Collaborators
Globally Aware, Independent, Responsible Learners and Citizens
Critical Thinking Creative/Innovative Thinking Problem Solving
Information Literacy
Listening
Collaboration
Communication
Social Responsibility
Sustainability
Interdependence
Health Literacy

17. National Core Arts Anchor Standards

18. Unit Organization Safety 1st!
Align units with production needs WHERE IT REALLY FITS
Tech Production unit can work with actual productions or can be done via models
Design modules can align with literature in other classes

19. Cornerstone Assessments:
Used to
Assess student progress
Align classes across the district
Clarify purpose of instruction

20. Quarter 2: Cornerstone Assessment
Technical Theatre Cornerstone Assessment Quarter 2: Problem Solving
Each paragraph below describes an authentic theatre production challenge that requires you to create a solution.
Choose 1 of the 3 challenges to solve.
Create a strategy to address the problem.
Explain the sequence. Why did you choose that approach?
Compare your strategy to other possible choices. (These will probably be those that you brainstorm and choose not to use.)
Refer to the rubric for the criteria on which your solution will be evaluated.

21. Cornerstone: Challenge 1
Deck: You are the head of the deck crew for a production of South Pacific. A wedge-shaped (2’X4’X3’) pile of sand and glitter must be removed from the stage floor (DC) between Act I and Act II of every performance.
At your disposal are:
5 additional crew members, 3 dust pan/shovels, 4 standard brooms (not push brooms.)
Additional tasks to be performed after clean-up are to: strike 2 hinged walls, strike 2 chairs, strike 1 desk, set 2 - 4X8 platforms in the previous sand pile location.
You have 1 minute for the shift.

22. Cornerstone: Challenge 2
Costumes: You are the head of the costume crew of a production of Sweeney Todd.
An actor is double cast as a lower-class bum who gets his throat slashed and his shirt bloodied before playing a well-to-do father.
You have 24 measures (40 seconds) to do the quick change.
The bum must minimally have a shirt, trousers and shoes as his wardrobe.
The standard upscale wear for a gentleman of the period includes a frock coat, trousers, a matching vest, white shirt and white cravat as well as a top hat and spats.
Starting with the first character create the costume plot for the bum and the father and the track for the changes.
State the fabric choices (content and color) for both.
Illustrate your choices through diagrams, drawings and/ or charts.

23. Cornerstone: Challenge 3
Properties:
You are the properties designer for a production of Oklahoma, and you have to create “the little wonder.” The “little wonder” is a kaleidoscope-like device which houses a hidden knife blade. There is a little button on the top that releases the blade from the bottom at a 90 degree angle while the person is looking through the eyehole. Another character can then slam the device into the victim’s chest.
Create:
a detailed sketch
a materials list
a building plan
working construction drawing in ½” = 1” scale.

24. Teaching Technical Theatre Guide
Joint publication between USITT and EdTA in 1986.
Would there be interest in a republication?

25. UbD Format & Standards
Publication could be in UbD format Units would cite correlations with National Core Arts Anchor Standards for Theatre Electronic, editable publication for creating learning plans