THEA 201 - Stagecraft

An introduction to theatre technology, this course will familiarize students with the many components of theatrical production. It will provide students with a deeper understanding of the organizational structure and concepts involved in producing live performances, as well as provide instruction in safe practices. Students will be introduced to many of the tools and mechanisms that are used today and how they have been made popular and/or standard. Topics will include the historical progression of theatre technology and machinery; the science of sound, light, and material structure as related to performance technology; and current techniques used to implement production designs in scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, and properties. As a part of their work for this course students take part in the tech, dress rehearsals, and performances for a Reed theatre production as a member of the run crew, or put in lab time in one of the shops engaging with the materials of theatrical production. This lab time is scheduled with the course and lab instructors and works out to approximately four hours a week if students choose to work in the shops for the lab. Lab time can be broken up into two-hour blocks to accommodate student schedules and will happen during the day. If students choose the run crew option, the lab lasts for the duration of the tech rehearsal and show run of the mainstage production. This work happens primarily in the evening and on the weekend.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Instructional Method: Lecture-laboratory
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.