Technical Theatre Course

Virginia Beach City Public SchoolsCurriculum

Course Description:

• This course is designed to help students interested in technical aspects of theatre to integrate and build upon concepts and skills acquired in Introduction to Theatre Arts.

• This course affords students the opportunity to gain experience in all elements of technical theatre through practical application.

Units of study

Theatre spaces Stagecraft Scenery construction and painting

Scenic design Properties construction and management

Theatre management

Sound design Masks Stage Management

Lighting design Costume design and construction Responsibilities and careers

Makeup design and application Special Effects

Analysis and Response

“Students will study, analyze and respond to a variety of theatre experiences” that will refine skills in:• communication • collaboration• analysis• interpretation• problem-solving

Process and Development

Technical Theatre will focus on the process and development of

• performances from the technician’s perspective

• expansion of students’s technical and artistic abilities and appreciation of theatrical arts.

Units (protocols and principles )

• Unit 1: Safety

• Unit 2: Theatre Response

• Unit 3: Principles of Design

• Unit 4: Application of Design Principles

Units (process and production)

• Unit 5: Sound

• Unit 6: Lighting

• Unit 7: Costumes

• Unit 8: Make-up

• Unit 9: Props

• Unit 10: Scenery

• Unit 11: Technical Production Project/Execution (per semester)

Units (management and careers)

• Unit 12: Stage Management

• Unit 13: Theatre Management and Administration • Unit 14: Technical Director

• Unit 15: Careers in Technical Theatre

Unit 1: Safety (General)

• Unit elements used in all classes that meet in or have access to theatre space(s)

UbD Elements: Safety

• Established Goals:• To create a culture of safety in the theatre environment

• Essential Questions: • What makes a space safe?• For what is each person responsible to be considered safe?• What are the guidelines for working safely in theatre?

UbD Elements: Safety

• Students will know...• How to respond to an emergency in the theater

• What constitutes a safe work space

• What safety gear is needed for each person

• How to handle tools and systems safely

• How to maintain a safe work space

UbD Elements: Safety

• Enduring Understandings: Students will understand that...

• The very nature of theatre involves some special hazards, including safety hazards, fire hazards and chemical hazards. Backstage crew, performers, and sometimes even the audience can be at risk.

• It is the responsibility of everyone in the cast and production staff to avoid accidents and to conduct themselves safely in all phases of producing a play.

UbD Elements: Safety

• Students will be skilled in doing:

• Responding to an emergency in the theater • Safely using, storing and maintaining tools, supplies and equipment • Climbing a ladder safely • Lifting safely • Keeping the space clean and orderly

SOL Elements: Safety 2013 SOL Strands:

Design and Production

Theatre History & Cultural Context

Analysis, Evaluation, & Critique

Aesthetics

Safety

Beyond the State Standards:

• VBO 5 The student must know how to follow safety guidelines and demonstrate appropriate safety techniques.

• VBO 6 The student will make connections between theatre safety practices and real world situations.

21st Century Skills Emphasis21st Century Skills Emphasis

Critical & Creative ThinkersInnovators, and Problem

Solvers

Effective Communicators and Collaborators

Globally Aware, Independent, Responsible Learners and

Citizens

Critical ThinkingCreative/Innovative Thinking

Problem Solving

Information LiteracyListening

CollaborationCommunication

Social ResponsibilitySustainability

InterdependenceHealth Literacy

National Core Arts Anchor Standards

Unit Organization

• Safety 1st!

• Align units with production needs WHERE IT REALLY FITS

• Tech Production unit can work with actual productions or can be done via models

• Design modules can align with literature in other classes

Cornerstone Assessments:

Used to

• Assess student progress

• Align classes across the district

• Clarify purpose of instruction

Quarter 2: Cornerstone AssessmentTechnical Theatre Cornerstone Assessment Quarter 2: Problem Solving• Each paragraph below describes an authentic theatre production

challenge that requires you to create a solution. • Choose 1 of the 3 challenges to solve. • Create a strategy to address the problem. • Explain the sequence. Why did you choose that approach? • Compare your strategy to other possible choices. (These will probably be

those that you brainstorm and choose not to use.) • Refer to the rubric for the criteria on which your solution will be

evaluated.

Cornerstone: Challenge 1

Deck: You are the head of the deck crew for a production of South Pacific. A wedge-shaped (2’X4’X3’) pile of sand and glitter must be removed from the stage floor (DC) between Act I and Act II of every performance. At your disposal are:• 5 additional crew members, 3 dust pan/shovels, 4 standard brooms (not

push brooms.) • Additional tasks to be performed after clean-up are to: strike 2 hinged

walls, strike 2 chairs, strike 1 desk, set 2 - 4X8 platforms in the previous sand pile location. • You have 1 minute for the shift.

Cornerstone: Challenge 2

Costumes: You are the head of the costume crew of a production of Sweeney Todd. An actor is double cast as a lower-class bum who gets his throat slashed and his shirt bloodied before playing a well-to-do father. You have 24 measures (40 seconds) to do the quick change. • The bum must minimally have a shirt, trousers and shoes as his wardrobe. • The standard upscale wear for a gentleman of the period includes a frock coat,

trousers, a matching vest, white shirt and white cravat as well as a top hat and spats. • Starting with the first character create the costume plot for the bum and the father

and the track for the changes. • State the fabric choices (content and color) for both. • Illustrate your choices through diagrams, drawings and/ or charts.

Cornerstone: Challenge 3

Properties:You are the properties designer for a production of Oklahoma, and you have to create “the little wonder.” The “little wonder” is a kaleidoscope-like device which houses a hidden knife blade. There is a little button on the top that releases the blade from the bottom at a 90 degree angle while the person is looking through the eyehole. Another character can then slam the device into the victim’s chest. Create:• a detailed sketch• a materials list• a building plan • working construction drawing in ½” = 1” scale.

Teaching Technical Theatre Guide

• Joint publication between USITT and EdTA in 1986.

• Would there be interest in a republication?

UbD Format & Standards

Publication could be in UbD format

Units would cite correlations with National Core Arts Anchor Standards for Theatre

Electronic, editable publication for creating learning plans