Technical Production, Stage Management, and Design

Production Office Hours:
Consultations take place in 4 Dwinelle Hall, Monday–Friday, 9am–12pm and 1–4pm. It is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with production staff or with your instructor.

Courses

Technical Production

Technical Production with TDPS

Students interested in participating in technical production and design with TDPS have multiple course options. Ideally, all students will begin with Theater 60: Introduction to Technical Theater & Production (3 units). Although it is possible to enroll in design courses without being a major or minor in TDPS, participation in a technical production capacity will be limited without having taken the introductory course, Theater 60.

In addition to completing Theater 60, TDPS majors are required to participate in Technical Shop and Run Crews. Theater majors must complete both and Dance majors choose one or the other. Theater 167 is for completing Run Crew and Theater 168 is for completing a Technical Shop. Theater 167 or 168 are taken following or concurrently with Theater 60. Continuing technical work may be pursued under Theater 169: Advanced Technical Theater.

Theater 60 (3 units)

Introduction to Technical Theater and Production is a foundational lecture course for the department. Beginning in Fall 2019, the course meets Tuesday/Thursday. The course frequently fills to capacity and it is unlikely for students not on the wait list to be admitted. Transfer students may consult with instructors about possibly equivalency from other institutions.

Theater 167 (1 unit)

Pre-requisite/Co-requisite: Theater 60 or instructor approval

Performance Practice or "Run Crew" (running shows as wardrobe, fly operator, stage hand, sound or video operator, etc.) is fulfilled through an established schedule of technical rehearsals and performances. To be eligible for a run crew assignment, without exception, you must be available for ALL scheduled calls for your production as outlined in the schedule posted under the "How to enroll" tab. Space is limited.

Theater 168 (1 unit)

Pre-requisite/Co-requisite: Theater 60 or instructor approval

Shop Practice or Technical Labs (working in production areas with scenery, costumes, lighting, etc.) are fulfilled within established lab sessions: Monday/Wednesday 2-5, Tuesday/Thursday 2-5, or Wednesday/Friday 2-5. Space is limited.

Theater 169 (1–3 units) see instructor for syllabus

Pre-requisites: Theater 60 and Theater 167 or 168 along with instructor approval

Advanced Technical Practice is continuation of work started in Theater 167 or 168. With shop supervisor approval, students elect to work between 3 and 9 hours per week; schedule established with the pertinent shop lead. Interested students should speak directly with shop supervisors prior to form submission. Working on Run Crew is also an option for this course. Inquire with the Production Manager. Space is limited.

Stage Management

Stage Management with TDPS

Theater 172.1 (3 units)

Pre-requisites: THR 60 or an approved equivalent for transfer students

Section one of Stage Management examines the role and responsibilities of the Stage Manager within a live theatrical production organization. This includes exploring and creating methods for documenting, recording and “calling” a production. The purpose of 172.1 is to provide an understanding of the complex and collaborative process involved in mounting a theatrical production, the relationship of the stage manager to this process, and the basic skills and techniques of a stage manager. The Fall course culminates in a final project for which all enrolled students participate in the TDPS production of the Fall Choreography Showcase. Each student will be assigned a backstage role on the production, for the technical rehearsals and performances. All enrolled students must be available for the entire "Fall Choreo" tech and performance schedule.

Theater 172.2 (3–6 units)

Pre-requisites: Theater 60, Theater 172.1 and instructor approval

Section two of Stage Management is an independent study course providing practical, hands-on experience associated with Stage Management. Students interested in registering for Theater 172.2 must receive pre-approval from the Stage Management Advisor. Admission criteria for this course includes a minimum grade of A for the 172.1 Stage Management lecture course, and demonstrating the ability to apply skills and lessons taught in Theater 172.1. These skills include:

Ability to maintain a mature, responsible, supportive and communicative attitude towards fellow students, staff and faculty.

Demonstration of autonomous, positive leadership ability.
Demonstrated ability to remain neutral in situations involving rehearsals, tech and performance challenges.
Ability to troubleshoot problems as they arise during rehearsals, tech and performances.
If assigned the role of Stage Manager, ability to delegate responsibilities/duties to Assistant Stage Managers, including showing them examples of paperwork and providing guidance on their assigned duties.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft files, PDFs, Google files and Google Drive

Part of the pre-approval process for 172.2 requires the student to be assigned to a stage management team for a TDPS production. This assignment is made by the Stage Management Advisor if the aforementioned criteria is met. Enrolled students are required to actively participate in the rehearsal, tech and performance process of the assigned production.

The student must be on time and whenever possible, early, to all required calls including all rehearsals, techs and performance calls. The student must also attend all weekly production meetings unless they conflict with a class.

Design

Design with TDPS

Theater 173 (3 units): Scenic Design — Fall Semester

Suggested Pre-requisites: Theater 60

Theater 174 (3 units): Costume Design

Suggested Pre-requisite: Theater 60

Theater 175A (4 units): Lighting Design — Fall Semester

Suggested Pre-requisite: Theater 60

Theater 175B (4 units): Lighting Design — Spring Semester

Suggested Pre-requisites: Theater 60, Theater 175A

Theater 177 (4 units): Sound Design

Suggested Pre-requisite: Theater 60

THR 176 (variable units): Supervised Lighting Design

Pre-requisite: Theater 60 & 175A or B, and consent of instructor

THR 179 (variable units) Supervised Costume or Scenic Design

Pre-requisite: Theater 60 & 173 or 174, and consent of instructor

How to Enroll

Run Crew and Shop Labs

Theater 167, 168, & 169: These three courses are not listed in the class schedule and require individual course numbers for enrollment. Preferences must be submitted in the semester prior to intended enrollment to get onto the course list. Seats may available at the beginning of the semester for those not on the list, though it is not guaranteed. It is imperative that you read and understand the syllabus and schedule for your intended course. Please contact the Production Manager with questions.

Preference Submission for Theater 167, 168, 169 can be found on the Callboard

Stage Management

Theater 172.1 (lecture course) is open for enrollment to all, though Theater 60 is a pre-requisite to take the course. Theater 172.2 (practical, independent study) requires instructor approval for an assignment. Interested students should meet with the Stage Management Advisor following completion of section one.

Design Courses for Costume, Scenery, Lighting, and Sound

Theater 173, 174, 175A/B, 177 are open for enrollment. Theater 60 is a suggested pre-requisite and is required to take advanced courses (Theater 176, 179) following an initial design course.

Changes to Technical Curriculum as of Fall 2019

As enrollment begins for Fall 2019, please become familiar with changes to the structure of five TDPS technical courses that comprise requirements and electives. Total unit requirement for the major has not changed, however some content formerly embedded within courses has been separated, requiring alternate course enrollment to complete.

Course Name	Through Spring 2019 Semester	Beginning Fall 2019 Semester
Theater 60 Introduction to Technical Theater and Production	Required for majors 4 Units, including a required lab equivalent of 167 or 168.	Required for majors 3 Units (lecture only) Pre-requisite for / co-requisite of Theater 167 or 168; pre-requisite for Theater 172.1
Theater 167 Performance Practice: Run Crew	Required for majors 1 Unit May be fulfilled in Theater 60	Required for majors * 1 Unit Take with or after Theater 60
Theater 168 Performance Practice: Technical Shop	Required for majors 2 Units May be fulfilled in Theater 60	Required for majors * 1 Unit Take with or after Theater 60
	* As of Fall 2019, DPS majors choose one to complete the requirement. TPD majors must complete both.
Theater 172.1 Stage Management	Elective 3–6 Units Fulfulls Upper-Division Requirement Pre-requisite for Theater 172.2 Requires work on a show as ASM	Elective 3–6 Units Fulfulls Upper-Division Requirement Pre-requisite for Theater 172.2 Lecture only; no show work
Theater 172.2 Advanced Stage Management	Elective May be repeated 3–6 Units Show work only, no class meeting Theater 172.1 and consent of instructor required for assignment to stage manage	Elective May be repeated 3–6 Units Fulfills Theater 167 Show work only, no class meeting Theater 60, 172.1, and consent of instructor required for assignment to Assistant Stage Manage or Stage Manage

What does this mean to me?

If you have completed Theater 60, plan to take Theater 167 or 168 predicated on the lab you completed during Theater 60.
If you will be taking Theater 60 in the 19/20 academic year, plan to take Theater 167 and 168*. You may take one course concurrently with Theater 60, or may take the courses in any order following completion of Theater 60.
ANYONE planning to enroll in Theater 167 or 168 in the fall semester must complete an enrollment form and meet with the Production Manager.
Dance Majors who have completed Theater 60 have met the requirement if adopting the degree plan as of Fall 2018. Dance Majors taking Theater 60 as of Fall 2019 must also complete either Theater 167 or 168. Please contact Michael Mansfield with specific degree plan questions.