Academic Catalog

THTR 21C: ADVANCED SCENERY & PROPERTIES CONSTRUCTION

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2021
Units: 4
Hours: 2 lecture, 6 laboratory per week (96 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: THTR 21B.
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in DRAM 21C.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A successful student will assess the material and tool requirements to independently plan and create simple scenery and properties for theatrical productions.
  • A successful student can work collaboratively with staff and other students to create scenery and properties for a department production

Description

Continuation of THTR 21B. Theory of and practice creating and using scenery and properties for department dramatic presentations. Safe use of tools, materials, and construction techniques used in the construction of scenery and properties for the stage. Introduction to the use of metal in the production of scenery and properties for the stage. Safe rigging concepts, tools and practices for the stage. Leadership experience in a collaborative theatre environment. Practical application of 3-D design software and digital fabrication machines.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:
A. Be a contributing member of a collaborative team in the planning, construction and implementation of scenic and properties for a large theatrical production.
B. Organize an ongoing scenic construction project, including creating and reading plans, selecting materials, selecting appropriate tools, and working safely in a leadership role within a larger production team.
C. Analyze scenic production problems; evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions within the constraints of a production schedule.
D. Work collaboratively with designers, technicians, and other theatre personnel to facilitate the production process from concept to implementation.
E. Organize and co-ordinate crews for multi-faceted scenery projects.
F. Safely rig and hang drops, soft goods and small hard-covered scenic units.
G. Safely construct small scenic and properties projects using metals.

Course Content

A. Management of production facilities and processes (Lec)
1. Shop organization (Lec and Lab)
2. Shop organization and tool maintenance (Lab)
3. Production planning and tracking (Lec and Lab)
B. Stage rigging (Lec and Lab)
1. Hardware
2. Tools
3. Loads and rigging techniques
C. Metal scenic production (Lec and Lab)
1. Materials and uses (Lec)
2. Hand tools (Lab)
3. Welding and safety (Lec and Lab)
D. Production critical path planning and execution (Lec and Lab)
1. Differentiation of production tasks and assignment to departments (Lec)
2. Coordination and collaboration among multiple departments (Lab)
3. Meeting management and process (Lec and Lab)

Lab Content

A. Students will be introduced to and practice the safe and appropriate use of a variety of advanced power tools for the construction of scenery and properties.
B. Students will work individually and in small groups in a supervised setting to develop and implement plans and construction of complex scenic units for the stage.
C. Students will work individually with minimal supervision to plan and coordinate construction of multiple projects within the constraints of a production schedule.
D. Students will practice rigging and flying small scenic units for the stage.
E. Students will practice the use of metals and welding techniques in scenic fabrication.
F. Students will use 3-D modeling software and digital fabrication machines to explore prototyping and fabrication of usable props and scenic elements for production.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. All facilities of a fully-equipped theatre including stage, house for audience, lighting and sound equipment, dressing rooms, scene shop, costume shop, tools and other stage equipment and supplies.
B. When taught via Foothill Global Access: on-going access to computer with email software capabilities; email address; JavaScript enabled internet browsing software.
C. Access to 3-D modeling software and CAD driven machines for prop and scenic dressing applications.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Class notebooks
Class participation
Quizzes
Written production evaluations
Production project evaluations
Final exam and project

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lectures
Group discussion with a specific prompt
Individual and small group projects in a supervised setting
Journals reflecting on project progress
Self-evaluations upon project completion

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Gillette, J. Michael. Theatrical Design and Production, 8th ed.. 2017.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

A. 60-80 pages per week of reading from the text.
B. Script analysis for production requirements including scenery and property needs.
C. Attendance at or digital viewing of live theatre performances and written evaluations of the technical elements observed.
D. Research and sketching for production projects.
E. Class journal of tasks and projects.

Discipline(s)

Stagecraft or Theater Arts