Communication and Theatre Arts 131
THEATRE LAB Spring 2008
Professor Zoie Eva Lutz, CTA Dept
E-mail: zoie.eva.lutz@uwc.edu (fastest way to reach me)
415 Administration Building Office: 647-6186 X 256
Office hours by 9-10 am M/W and by appointment (zoie.eva.lutz@uwc.edu). Other office hours will be posted weekly.
Course Website: http://richland.uwc.edu/Depts/CTA/Lab/
Note: This is listed as a 10-week course. Please note the drop deadline is earlier than a full semester course. No late drops will be signed.
COM 131 THEATRE LABORATORY:
Participation in theatrical production activities including directing, management, technical production, lighting, stage design, costuming, make-up, acting, and theatre management. It is possible to register for more than one section with consent of the instructor.
Section 01 Acting
Section 02 Technical
Section 03 Management
Course Goals:
The goals of “Theatre Lab” are two-fold. The first goal will be to assist in the successful completion of the UW-R Theatre spring production, The God of Isaac. Theatre Lab will also aim to help train each of you in your areas of interest, giving you the background, practical experience, and encouragement to continue your participation in future theatrical activities.
Course Objective: To gain practical experience in aspects of theatre production.
Course Proficiencies:
CLEAR AND LOGICAL THINKING
The ability to . .
.
Analyze, synthesize, evaluate,
and interpret information and ideas.
Integrate knowledge and
experience to arrive at creative solutions.
Articulate accurately strengths
and weaknesses of one's own work.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
The ability to
. . .
Work collaboratively as
part of a team.
Understand and
communicate with people different from themselves.
AESTHETIC RESPONSE
The ability to . . .
Employ
and expand the imagination.
Engage in creative expression.
Respond to the natural world and creative expression with knowledge and
sensitivity.
Assessment of Proficiencies: A UW-Colleges-wide assessment program has been put into place to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the curriculum, programs and services of the institution. The following areas of proficiency will be assessed because they are of primary importance in the education of our students: Analytical Skills, Quantitative Skills, Communication Skills, and the Aesthetic Engagement. The assessment will be part of a regular homework or in-class assignment but the assessment is not a “grade” and does not become part of your transcript. Assessment evaluations are compiled and used solely to evaluate teaching effectiveness. For more information about the UW Colleges Assessment program see; uwc.edu/resources/assess/index.htm.
Course transfer information: Because this course has more than one section, it transfers differently depending on whether you were involved in acting, technical work, or management. To check transfer information to a specific UW institution, visit http://www.uwsa.edu/tis/
Required Texts:
None. However, if you are interested in any particular area (i e. Stage Management, Makeup, etc. ) I can provide you with the names of textbooks I would strongly recommend you purchase.
Course Requirements:
All Sections: It is assumed that each student will need guidance and direction. However, it is your responsibility to complete an assigned task and to seek the necessary assistance, if you need it. All COM 131 students are required to attend:
1. auditions (on Wed 1/30 or Thurs 1/31)
2. one class meeting (Monday 2/4 at 6:30 p.m.-7:15 pm)
3. requested photo calls (check your email for dates)
4. “Tech weekend" (3/1 & 3/2)
5. put in 5 lab hours (per credit) in addition to their job prior to tech week
6. and attend “Strike” (3/9).
7. Actors and Run Crew must be at final dress rehearsals and performances (entire final week before opening)
In addition to your specific job requirements, you are expected to check your campus email on a regular basis for updates and schedule changes. There is not a D2L site for this course, but the syllabus and additional materials are available on the campus website.
Section 01: Acting. Performance as a member of the cast of the UW-R Production. Specific obligations and responsibilities of cast members will be determined during the rehearsal process and will include:
*Attendance at auditions, the class meeting, and requested photo calls
*Prompt attendance at rehearsals, performances, and strike as scheduled.
*Being off-script when requested
*Providing rehearsal clothing, props, publicity information, measurements, etc. when requested
*Attendance at the radio interview, if requested
*A concentrated effort to prepare for and perform as the needs of the production demand.
*Assistance in preparing your character’s needs--costumes, props, etc.
(Note: You can register for acting for 1 or 2 credits. If you register for 2 credits, the additional requirement is 5 more hours of non-acting participation on the show and possibly some stand-in work at rehearsals. For a 3rd credit of 131, you would need to do an additional job responsibility. Registering for an Acting credit DOES NOT guarantee you will be cast in the production. You must audition and be cast to earn an acting credit. If you are not cast, you can & are encouraged to transfer to Section 02 or 03 & work on the production in a technical or management area. You are also encouraged to audition for future shows! )
Section 02: Technical. Each student’s duties will vary depending on the assignment, experience, and the needs of the particular production. You will be given guidance and training, but it is your responsibility to complete a given task and to ask for the necessary assistance when you require it. To earn a credit for "Lab Crew" you must complete a minimum of 35 hours (30 hours + 5 hours) work in your area by the week ending March 1st (tech weekend hours do not count towards these hours). The minimum is a guideline--it is expected you will complete the duties of your job assignment. The additional 5 hours should be put in doing a task different than you did for your other 30 hours. It is your responsibility to keep a time record of your work by signing in and out and checking the email updates that will be sent to your campus email address. You will be assigned to a crew based on need and preferences. The hours may include:
*Lab Crew: Working during pre-arranged times or taking on the responsibility to accomplish specific tasks outside of lab. A schedule of several possible times to work will be posted by email and/or on the theatre door. It is your responsibility to sign up for those times by email (to the tech director) at least a day in advance. It is expected that a student will evenly spread out their hours during the class weeks and do a variety of activities. Sign-up at least one day in advance. If at least 2 people are not signed up during the possible time, there is no guarantee the lab will be open or there will be work prepared for you to do. If you need to cancel, please contact the appropriate supervisor at least 4 hours in advance or it will have an adverse effect on your time sheet. Your required minimum hours should be completed by March 1st. Lab Crew is required to attend Tech and Strike in addition to their hours.
*Run Crew: Working during ALL technical rehearsals and performances and related scheduled times. Run crew work basically begins tech weekend and then includes the entire tech week, and evenings, performances, and strike. In addition, you need to complete 5 hours lab work prior to March 1st (not including tech weekend hours).
You will be responsible for signing in and out and checking updates that you receive on your campus email. You can earn your credit by performing one or more of the following duties:
Lab Crew: Set construction--building, painting, decorating; Properties--construction, acquisition, purchasing, & modification; Lighting--hang and focus, board operation; Costumes--purchasing, construction, modification, laundry, production set-up and repairs; Make-up--purchase, set-up, application, clean-up; Sound--design, board operation, set-up.
Run crew--stage crew, light board operation, costume supervisor, make-up crew, sound board operator, etc.
Please see the COM 131 Job Descriptions online at the theatre website and turn in your audition sheet (for cast or crew) by the dates of the scheduled auditions. Positions assigned will be posted on line and in the display by the theatre. Applications for positions will NOT be accepted after auditions unless job positions have not all been filled.
Section 03:
Management. Each student’s duties will vary depending on the
assignment, experience, and the needs of the particular production. You
will be given guidance and training, but it is your responsibility to complete a
given task and to ask for the necessary assistance when you require it.
All 131 students are also required to attend tech weekend and strike.
Management credit is earned by performing any one or combination of the
following tasks:
Assistant Director--must attend auditions, all rehearsals and performances; duties include set-up, recording blocking, prompting, note taking, research, and assisting the director as needed. The Assistant director is the first person at rehearsals and the last person to leave rehearsals until tech week. The AD is in charge of the production (under the director) until tech week. It is possible to take on this role for 1 or 2 credits. A 3rd credit can be added for this production by also agreeing to do the sound operation during performances.
Stage Manager--must attend
auditions, most rehearsals, and all technical rehearsals and performances;
responsible for coordinating backstage activities and running the
performances. The Stage Manager is the first person at rehearsals
and the last person to leave rehearsals during tech rehearsals and
performances. The SM is in charge of the stage (non-audience) elements of
the production (under the directors) during tech week and performances. It
is possible to take on this role for 1 credit (less rehearsal time) or 2
credits. A 3rd credit can be added for this production by also agreeing to
do the light board operation during performances.
House
Manager/Publicity--must attend dress rehearsals and performances;
responsible for all activities exclusive of the performance/technical area that
involves the audience, including recruiting and training ushers & box
office, lobby and intermission set-up and management, moving the audience
smoothing, “holding” the show, and maintaining ticket and financial
records. In addition, the HM will help with advance advertising,
tickets, and programs. The HM is in charge of the audience elements of the
production (under the director) during the final rehearsals and
performances.
Ad Sales--responsible for selling, designing, and preparing ads for the program. All work on ads must be done almost 2 weeks prior to the production and ready for the program publication.
Please see the COM 131 Job Descriptions online at the theatre website and turn in your audition sheet (for cast or crew) by the scheduled auditions. Positions assigned will be posted on line and in the display by the theatre. Applications for positions will NOT be accepted after auditions unless job positions have not all been filled.
Grading:
Grading is not based simply on fulfilling minimum course requirements or hours, but all required hours and responsibilities must be completed to receive a passing grade of C or higher. Completing course requirements starts you at an "average" or "C" grade -- if you do not fulfill your requirements, the grade will be lower. If you do above average work or go above and beyond, the grade will be higher. If you do not attend tech weekend and strike, you will not receive a passing grade for the course. Grading will be based on effort, dependability, efficiency, attitude, cooperation, initiative, timeliness, and quality.
If you are scheduled for rehearsals, labs, meetings, or performances, please be prompt and prepared. The time you start is the time you are ready to begin…not the time you arrive. Attendance at tech weekend and strike is REQUIRED of ALL Com 131 students, so mark your calendars as soon as the dates are announced! (Word of advice: Check your syllabi in other classes and plan ahead for major assignments and tests that are due the week following tech weekend and tech week!) Missed obligations will adversely affect your grade and may result in a cast/crew member being replaced! If you are replaced due to missed obligations and it is past the drop deadline, a late drop request will not be signed. Remember also, that ALL Com 131 students must put in 5 hours lab work in addition to their job requirements. This is to help you understand other aspects of the production process besides your particular job duty and to create a sense of ensemble.
The production staff will in turn send occasional updates of our records of your work on the production, so it is clear to everyone what has been completed and where we have concerns. Please read the updates (on your campus email) from the production staff carefully and notify them of any errors immediately. If you believe an error exists in an update, please question it immediately. If you do not submit the question of an error within 7 days, then the information reported in the update will stand.
There will be supervised work sessions scheduled for various afternoons and evenings (and possibly weekends), as needed, that you may attend. (You must sign up at least one day in advance to guarantee the lab session will be available.) Tech weekend and strike are required. Expect that tech weekend will take the entire weekend (don't schedule other conflicts!). Strike usually takes from 4 pm to 9 pm. It is expected that you will check your campus email frequently and the Beep-Beep.
Students must register for COM 131 during the semester in which their theatre participation takes place; retroactive credit will not be given. There are numerous opportunities for students to fulfill the requirements of this course during one production; therefore, incompletes will not be given except for extreme emergencies. Students involved in the production who are full-time (between 12-18 credits) will automatically be enrolled for credit(s) as stated on their cast/crew audition forms. It is expected that all full-time UW-R students participating will be enrolled in Com 131. This is a course and part of the curriculum.
If you encounter any frustrations or challenges while working in this course, please come and speak with me as soon as possible. Do not wait until it is too late to handle the challenge effectively. Although working on a production can seem like a lot of work, it is also fun and a great opportunity to meet others. I hope you enjoy the experience and I look forward to working with you!
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