THTR 1041 - Theatre Production and Design

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Internship hours per week 0
Course Description: This course explores how plays “come to life” on stage through scenery, costumes, lighting and sound. Course activities provide an exploration of basic theory and practice of productions, including tools and building methods, design principles, traditions of theatre design, and creating designs which enhance the meaning of plays in performance. Course activities also provide hands-on, “real world” opportunities to solve technical and backstage problems in mounting theater productions.
MnTC Goals
Goal 6

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

1. The Building/Running Process
   1. Scenery & Props
   2. Costumes
   3. Lighting & Sound
   4. Stage Management
2. Design from a Critical/Historical Perspective
   1. Greek
   2. Roman
   3. Renaissance
   4. Illusionistic
   5. Realistic
   6. Anti-Realistic
   7. Postmodern
3. The Designers’ Role
   1. Communication/Cooperation/Creativity
      1. Working with the Director
      2. Working on the Design Team
      3. Working with the Stage Manager
   2. Reinforcing the Action as well as the Script
   3. Scenery & Props
      1. Period style & form
      2. Building, buying, or renting?
   4. Costumes
      1. Period style & form
      2. Building, buying, or renting?
   5. Lighting & Sound
      1. Color in light and emotion
      2. Creating an atmosphere
4. Basic Design Principles
   1. Elements of Design:  Line, shape, color, texture, style, action
   2. Principles of Composition
      1. Harmony, Contrast, Variation, Pattern, Gradation
5. Scene Design Realization Process
   1. Director’s Floor Plan
   2. Painter’s Elevation
   3. White Model
   4. Shop Floor Plan
   5. Rear Elevation

1. identify the purpose of individual technical apparatus.
2. define terms used in the production of technical theatre.
3. describe the purpose of individual technical apparatus.
4. describe the technical elements of a live professional production using terms and principles gained in class.
5. critique the artistic use of technical media in production.

 
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies Goal 6
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
06. 01. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
06. 03. Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
06. 04. Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
06. 05. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
None

Practicum hours per week: 0

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