Instructor: Rachel Shachar
Instructor Email: rachelshachar@hotmail.com
Prerequisites: An interest in art making with image and sound.

Course Description: This course gives students a basic understanding of Theatre Design. Students will focus on the elements needed for a theatrical production outside of acting. They will have the opportunity to design costumes, sets, lighting or sound for a particular play through an in-depth exploration of the design process. Each design discipline will be explored separately with the use of interactive activities, group projects and instruction. Students will work with multi-media and hands-on approaches for designing projects. They will see first-hand examples of theatre design by attending field trips to theatrical productions, as well as participating in backstage tours. Students will also complete design models for each area and a final project in the area of their choice. Finally, the class will learn about design for theatre in an interactive and creative way.

Course Objectives: Give students a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative process of theatre production; familiarize students with the historical background of theatre design; experience the design elements through hands-on projects; explore and practice the differences and importance of each design discipline; learn techniques and tools for art making processes for each design area; expose students to actual theatrical productions to see the design elements in practice.

Expectations:

As this is a production-oriented class, students are required to attend each class on time due to the scheduling of activities and projects. Students are also required to participate in interactive activities due to the collaborative nature of the course. Students must be respectful of the ideas and thoughts of fellow students to encourage a constructive learning environment.

Course Outline:

Week 1: Introduction to each design discipline including costume, scenic, sound, and lighting with interactive activities to enforce the principles of each area. Students will be introduced to the historical background and real-world applications for each design element.

Week 2: Students will be introduced to the design process of each discipline. This includes selecting a play, researching the playwright and the time period. Also, they will be creating multi-media collages to explore their design ideas. Class field trip to a theatrical production.

Week 3: Students will be taught design techniques for each area. They will use their previous research and art projects to focus on one element to design for the play of their choice. For the final project, students will create a model of a set, paint costume renderings, or design a light plot or a sound plot. Class field trip to a backstage tour/viewing theatrical production.