Academic Catalogs

THEA A165: Stagecraft Lab

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 100600 - Technical Theater
Units 1 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lab Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Introduction to stage craft activities including scenery construction, set painting, light rigging, stage props and theatre operations. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Communicate and work effectively with students and faculty to complete one or more technical elements of a stage play.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Apply principles of stagecraft to mounting a theatre production.
  • 2. Synthesize a theatre production and a theatre space into a cohesive setting.
  • 3. Solve unfamiliar problems that often occur in technical theatre with creative and safe solutions.
  • 4. Identify unique construction and lighting techniques of stagecraft and utilize them in creating an aesthetic but inexpensive and safe theatrical setting.

Lecture Content

1.    Learn proper safe usage of power tools used for stagecraft 2.    Learn names of tools and stage hardware 3.    Basic scenic units 4.    Reading and using technical drawings 5.    Scenery and prop building techniques 6.    Basic scene painting techniques 7.    Basic lighting techniques 8.    Working as technical crew on a production.

Lab Content

LABORATORY CONTENT:  The following content will be covered in a combination of 16 scheduled and 2 arranged lab hours. Demonstration and supervised practice of the following:  hands-on preparation and production of stage productions.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

1.    Apply principles of stagecraft to mounting a theatre production. 2.  Synthesize a theatre production and a theatre space into a cohesive setting. 3.  Solve unfamiliar problems that often occur in technical theatre with creative and safe solutions. 4.  Identify unique construction and lighting techniques of stagecraft and utilize them in creating an aesthetic but inexpensive and safe theatrical setting.

Reading Assignments

This is a skills course. Students will demonstrate proper use of stage equipment and proper techniques.

Writing Assignments

This is a skills course. Students will demonstrate proper use of stage equipment and proper techniques.

Out-of-class Assignments

This is a skills course. Students will demonstrate proper use of stage equipment and proper techniques.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1. Instructor evaluation of student completion of projects. 2. Examination of students retention of names and proper use of tools and stage equipment and knowledge of proper stagecraft techniques. 3. Instructor evaluation of stage crew assignment.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

This is a skills course. Students will demonstrate proper use of stage equipment and proper techniques.

Eligible Disciplines

Theater arts: See drama/theater arts Master's degree required.

Other Resources

1. Selected handout materials will be provided and distributed by the instructor.