Academic Catalog

THTR 21C: ADVANCED SCENERY & PROPERTIES CONSTRUCTION

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
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

  • Independently plan and execute a prop or scenic project, using a variety of tools, techniques, or materials.
  • Lead a small crew in executing a scenic or properties project.

Description

This course is a continuation of THTR 21B, continuing study of the theory and practice of creating and using scenery and properties, including shop management, working with metal in scenery and props construction, working with fabric in scenery and props construction, safe rigging practices, and moving scenery. Students will apply their skills to planning and supervising build activities for Theatre Arts productions and other projects.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Be a contributing member of a collaborative team in the planning, construction, and implementation of scenic and properties for a theatrical production.
  2. Organize a scenic construction project, including creating and reading plans, selecting materials, selecting appropriate tools, and working safely in a leadership role within a production team.
  3. Analyze scenic production problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions within the constraints of a production schedule and budget.
  4. Organize and co-ordinate crews for multi-faceted scenery projects.
  5. Safely rig soft goods and small scenic units.
  6. Safely construct small scenic and properties projects using metals and fabrics.

Course Content

  1. Shop and production management, including storage, organization, maintenance, budgeting, scheduling, and equitable and inclusive personnel management.
  2. Stage rigging, including hardware, tools, soft goods, working load limits, safety, and communication.
  3. Using metal in scenic and props construction, including materials and uses, hardware, cutting and grinding tools, and soldering and welding.
  4. Using fabric in scenic and props construction, including materials and uses, cutting, sewing, sizing, and painting.
  5. Moving scenery, including wagons, traps, and turntables.
  6. Leadership on a production team, including fostering respect, communication, collaboration, and inclusivity.

Lab Content

  1. Students will practice the safe and appropriate use of a variety of advanced hand and power tools for the construction and painting of scenery and properties.
  2. Students will work individually and in small groups in a supervised setting to develop and implement plans, construction, and painting of scenic units for the stage.
  3. Students will practice rigging and flying small scenic units or drops for the stage.
  4. Students will practice the use of metals in scenic and props fabrication.
  5. Students will practice the use of fabric in scenic and props fabrication.
  6. Students will direct and supervise small groups to gain leadership experience in a scene shop environment, focusing on equity and inclusivity.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. All facilities of a fully-equipped theatre, including stage and audience seating areas, scene shop, costume shop, hand and power tools, and other stage equipment and supplies.
2. Online portions of class require weekly student access to an internet enabled computer.
3. 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 and work habits
Practicum projects
Written production evaluations
Observation of leadership skills
Quizzes
Final exam or 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, 9th ed.. 2024.

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

  1. 60-80 pages per week of reading from the text.
  2. Script analysis for production requirements, including scenery and property needs.
  3. Attendance at--or digital viewing of--live theatre performances and written observations of the technical elements.
  4. Research, sketching, and project planing for production projects.
  5. Class journal of tasks and projects.
  6. Discussion prompts.

Discipline(s)

Stagecraft or Theater Arts