Academic Catalogs

THEA A175: Stage Scenery

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 100600 - Technical Theater
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 45; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

An in-depth study of all the diverse theatre crafts such as scenery construction, scene painting, and properties, and a survey study of theatre design. The historical development and major trends of stagecraft will be studied. Students will prepare a practical project consisting of a scene design or scale model. Required for students planning to transfer to CSU Long Beach and Fullerton. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: THTR 171.C-ID: THTR 171.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Design scenery for a simple play and create technical drawings and a scale scenic model.
  2. Construct and paint a set for an actual production from drawings provided by a set designer.
  3. Compare, contrast and critique various elements of set design.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Demonstrate basic scenery and prop construction techniques.
  • 2. Choose and utilize tools and materials appropriately.*
  • 3. Practice basic scene painting techniques.
  • 4. Rig and operate a set for a simple play.*+
  • 5. Design, draft, and render or model scenery for a simple play.*+
  • 6. Utilize basic research skills.*+
  • 7. Describe and discuss design concepts.*
  • 8. Define historical methods of scene design.*

Lecture Content

Shop tool use and safety Hand tools Power tools Pneumatic tools Eye and ear protection Basic safety procedures Scenery building Reading technical drawings Basic wood construction techniques Fasteners and adhesives Scenic fabrics and their uses Scenery painting Painting tools and supplies Brush techniques Color mixing and color theory Tromp loeil and faux techniques Scenery rigging Theatre architecture Scenic units and stock scenery Shifting and flying technology Rigging safety Stage crew activity for production Build and paint scenery and props for OCC productions Crew OCC productions Scenic design projects Script analysis Historical design elements Elements of design Use of scale rule  Drafting techniques  Building a scale model Property design and construction Prop tools and materials

Lab Content

See Course Content.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

1.   Demonstrate basic scenery and prop construction techniques. 2.   Choose and utilize tools and materials appropriately.* 3.   Practice basic scene painting techniques. 4.   Rig and operate a set for a simple play.*+ 5.   Design, draft, and render or model scenery for a simple play.*+ 6.   Utilize basic research skills.*+ 7.   Describe and discuss design concepts.* + 8.   Define historical methods of scene design.*   * Denotes SCANS Skills + Denotes Foundation Skills

Reading Assignments

Written assignments: quizzes, midterm, and final exam. Proficiency demonstrations: completion of safety check and of assigned tasks.

Writing Assignments

Written assignments: quizzes, midterm, and final exam. Proficiency demonstrations: completion of safety check and of assigned tasks.

Out-of-class Assignments

Written assignments: quizzes, midterm, and final exam. Proficiency demonstrations: completion of safety check and of assigned tasks.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Quizzes, written midterm and final exams, skill demonstrations, safety check completion, crew completion, lab hour completion.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Written assignments: quizzes, midterm, and final exam. Proficiency demonstrations: completion of safety check and of assigned tasks.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Gillette, J. Michael. Theatrical Design and Production, 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012 Rationale: latest 2. Required Carter, P., Chiang, G. Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information, 3rd ed. New York: Broadway Press, 1994 Rationale: .