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THEA 433 DESIGN FOR THEATRE

Professor: David Jacques
Office Telephone: 985-4044
Office Hours: Mon/Wed, 10:00 - 12:00
Class Times: Mon/Wed, 12:30 - 1:45
Room: Star Chamber

FALL 2008

This course covers the fundamentals of the process of designing for the theatre--developing the design from the initial script study through the collaborative process in rehearsal and into the theatre. The development of the artistic team in practical theatrical applications is studied through class projects and critique of the productions at CalRep and University Theatre. Learning how to “see” and developing points of view and approaches are also studied. The course will also briefly cover the business of design, working on Broadway and the Regional Theatres, and other professional venues. A series of “Designers’ Forums” will be presented to the class. These forums will include open discussion regarding the process of the university productions, and how the designers adapted to the challenges.

Requirements:

The student will read and attend all the plays produced by the department so they may be discussed in class.

The student is also required for material presented on Professor Jacques' Web site. This site is located at: www.csulb.edu/~djacques .

Projects turned in after the due date will not be accepted unless for compelling reasons. There will be no incomplete's for this class.
Exam and project dates are subject to change.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance: Please read the CSULB attendance policy carefully. It can be found at: http.://www.csulb.edu/~senate/Policies/01-01.html

ATTENDANCE IS VERY STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Experience has shown that good grades are strongly correlated with attendance, practice and participation. Each class period may not seem like it covers very much, but students who do not come to class are often surprised at how quickly they get behind. Your attendance in class will be reflected in your Class Participation Grade. Please refer to the University Catalog for the definition of excused and unexcused absences.

Withdrawal Policy:

It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from classes. Instructors have no obligation to withdraw students who do not attend courses, and may choose not to do so.

The deadline to withdraw from a class without a “W” is stated in the official Schedule of Classes.

Withdrawal from a course after that date requires the signature of the instructor and the department chair, and is permissible only for serious and compelling reasons. [Severe or extensive medical problems would be a reason to drop after that date, but fear of receiving a final grade lower than desired, or change in one’s work schedule are not considered a serious and compelling reasons.] A “W” will appear on the students’ transcript.

DURING THE FINAL THREE WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION WITHDRAWALS ARE NOT PERMITTED EXCEPT IN CASES SUCH AS ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS ILLNESS WHERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSING THE WITHDRAWAL ARE CLEARLY BEYOND THE STUDENT’S CONTROL. THE CAUSE MUST BE DOCUMENTED. ORDINARILY, WITHDRAWALS IN THIS CATEGORY INVOLVE TOTAL WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY. YOU WILL NEED THE APPROVAL OF THE COLLEGE DEAN AS WELL AS THAT OF THE CLASS INSTRUCTOR AND THE DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON FOR EACH CLASS YOU DROP.

Electronic Devices:

All electronic devices that have the potential to disrupt the class, its members, or the instructor must be turned off or silenced (unless approved by instructor). It is the students' responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of any need for accommodation of a disability that has been verified by the University.

Evaluations:

Project/production book (Due the last day of class): 33%

Test: 33%

Class Participation (Attendance): 33% of the final grade.

Materials:
Drawing and painting materials

Texts:
The Dramatic Imagination, Robert Edmund Jones
The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell
King Lear, Shakespeare

Class Structure:

1. Why are we theatrical artists?
a. The Designer’s Function in the Theatre
b. Learning how to see
Reading Assignment - Read The Dramatic Imagination, Jones

2. The Dramatic Imagination

3. Elements of Design
a. Line
b. Shape
c. Mass
d. Color
e. Texture
f. Rhythm

4. Design Principles
a. Variation and Contrast
b. Balance and Proportion
c. Rhythm and Movement
d. Unity and Harmony
e. Visual Composition
f. Reading Assignment: King Lear

5. The Objectives of Theatrical Design
a. Time and Period
b. Place and Locale
c. Theme
d. Mood
e. Style – Production, Literary
f. Reveal the Characters
g. Solve Theatrical Problems

6. Script Analysis for Designers
a. The Play and the Playwright
b. Discovering the Design Objectives - Developing a Point of View
c. Developing the Production Concept - Developing an Approach
d. Learning to Present Your Ideas and Talk About Your Work.
e. First Impressions of the Script
f. Discuss Othello
g. The music of the script
h. Evocative responses
Assignment: Construct a montage of your emotional response.to King Lear.

7. The Music of the Play
a. Understanding the Dramatic Action.
b. Understanding the score of the play.
c. Transitions and Dynamics
d. In-class music exercise
Assignment: Bring in Music that underscores a moment and a transition in King Lear.

8. Researching the Design
a. Period Style
b. Considering the Design
c. Historical and Dramatic Research
d. Visual Research
e. Technical Research
Assignment: Bring in research for King Lear.

9. MIDTERM

10. Collaboration
a. The Director - Video: Initial Meeting With The Director
b. The Design Team
c. Musicals-Working With the Choreographer
d. Developing the Production Concept

11. Communicating the Design
a. The Stage Space - Understanding Dramatic and Physical Space
b. The world of the play
c. Understanding the actors’ movement in the dramatic and physical space
d. Designing for different theatre spaces
e. The Ground Plan
Assignment: Develop a ground plan for your production of King Lear.

12. Communicating the Design Part II
a. Storyboards
b. White Models
c. Finished Models
d. Renderings
Assignment: Bring in Storyboards of at least three consecutive moments in King Lear.

13. Costumes
a. The Stage Space
b. Drawing the Figure
c. The Rough Sketch
d. The Final Rendering
e. Fabric Swatches
Assignment – Bring in Costume Research for King Lear.

14. Design Development – Production Meetings through Load In
a. Developing and Staying within Budget
b. Preparing the Designs for the Shops
c. Adjusting to changes in the production
d. Avoiding Disasters
Video: The Dangers of Bad Communication

15. The Presentation
a. The Director
b. The Design Team
c. The Portfolio and CD Portfolio
d. The Resume
e. Evaluation and Talking about your Work

16. Entering the Profession
a. Preparing for your First Job
b. Assistant Designers
c. Dealing with the Unions
d. Contracts