Course Syllabus
Course: THEA 2403
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New MediaDepartment: Theater Arts
Title: Stage Management
Semester Approved: Spring 2018
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2022
End Semester: Fall 2023
Catalog Description: This course is to instruct and prepare students in the methods and practice of proper stage management. It will prepare the student to execute the responsibilities of a stage manager in college, university, community, and professional theatre. The course will provide opportunities for theoretical and practical experiences. Students will be given opportunities to learn and develop skills in the following areas of stage management.1- Safety on Stage and in the Scenic Studios2- Stage Terminology3- Auditions4- Production Meetings5- Managing Rehearsals6- Backstage Management7- Calling the Show8- Scenery Rigging and Shifting Methods9- Lighting and Sound Supervision10- Front of House and Public Relations
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Justification: The course carries the same course number as a similar course at Weber State University. All theatre programs at USHE institutions have a similar course.
General Education Outcomes:
3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can speak and write effectively and respectfully as a member of the global community, and work effectively as a member of a team. Students will demonstrate their ability to work effectively as a member of a team through in class exercises and assignments and group presentations. These presentations will be graded and instructor and peer responses will be provided.
5: A student who completes the GE curriculum can respond with informed sensitivity to an artistic work or experience. Students will demonstrate ability to form an articulate response to an artistic work or experience through attendance and written critiques of assigned theatrical productions.
6: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively about nature, culture, facts, values, ethics, and civic policy. Students will demonstrate the ability to respond to any work of art in an articulate manner through oral discussions and specific case studies in stage management. Students should be able to respond to a theatrical piece both as art and as entertainment.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Increase appreciation for the art of working as a stage manager. Students will be evaluated on written critiques directly focused on the work of the stage manager in assigned production critiques.
Identify and develop fundamental skills and techniques for being a successful stage manager. Student skills and techniques will be assessed through exams and completed assignments.
Communicate effectively with others in ways that are appropriate for interaction between actors and technicians with the stage manager. This involves both individual and group/team contexts. Students will demonstrate communication skills through in class projects and assignments.
Manage and coordinate information from multiple sources and members of a production team. Develop problem solving, decision making and leadership skills. Students will produce a production book and complete in class exercises and assignments.
Content:
1- Safety on Stage and in the Scenic Studios2- Stage Terminology3- Auditions4- Production Meetings5- Managing Rehearsals6- Backstage Management7- Calling the Show8- Scenery Rigging and Shifting Methods9- Lighting and Sound Supervision10- Front of House and Public Relations
Key Performance Indicators:
Exams 10 to 20%
Production Book 20 to 30%
Critiques 10 to 15%
Attendance/participation 30 to 40%
Exercises & assignments 10 to 15%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
OptionalStage Management, by Lawrence Stern, 9th ed or later
Pedagogy Statement:
The course will provide opportunities for theoretical and practical experiences. Students will be given opportunities to learn and develop skills in stage management. The course is intended to develop competent stage managers for the Snow College Theatre season that follows the semester the student complete the course. Students will review case studies of possible stage management problems along with mock production meetings. Students will develop useful production materials for effectively completing assignments as a production stage manager and/or resident stage manager. High impact practices will be employed by using hands on experiences in recording blocking and cue calling. Students will have individual opportunities to experience working first hand with the theatre sound and light systems.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 12
Optimum Class Size: 8