THTR 238-02 Stage Management Tom Dale Keever Page

Fall 2012 Friday 2:30 – 5:20 pm Black Box Theatre

Class Website: http://keever.us/SM238.html

Instructor email:

Course Description:

Students will examine and experience the responsibilities of the stage manager in the production of live performance. Major responsibilities will include: cueing in a variety of settings, blocking notation, union rules and contracts, production and organizational skills, and personality management. Additional lab time is required.

Learning Goals:

· Demonstrate the ability to apply stage management theory to an actual production

· Apply the skills needed to collaborate with directors and other members of the production team

· Generate a calling script and other paperwork needed to mount a production

· Demonstrate the ability to call all light, sound, and effect cues in performance

Requirements:

· Come to class dressed for safety and comfort. Wear proper shoes (no heels or slip-ons.)

· Stage Manage a Directing Project or other approved Stage Management option.

· Write a 2-3 page critique of your experience as the Stage Manager of your Directing Project; what went well, what you might do differently if you could go back and do it over, etc. This paper will be due on Friday, December 14.

· Turn in a complete prompt book including: blocking; cue placement; contact information; rehearsal schedules; all prop, light, and sound plots; groundplans; and sign-in sheets. This book will be handed in on Friday, December 14.

· Class participation is required and will count towards your final grade.

· Surprise quizzes may be given. There will be no mid-term or final exam.

· NO TEXT REQUIRED

Grading Criteria:

A Excellent: Consistently outstanding and superior

B Good: Thorough, competent and efficient

C Average: Conforming to the normal or usual

D Poor: Demonstrably deficient

F Failure: Non-performance

Promptness and attentiveness are important characteristics of a Stage Manager and will be expected in class. Absence or lateness in your Stage Management duties will be considered extremely negligent.

Attendance Policy:

The Theatre Faculty have agreed on the following policy for absences and lateness:

· There are no unexcused absences. If students are absent for a period of time for medical or personal reasons, they should talk with their instructors and be prepared to provide appropriate documentation if necessary.

· After 2 single-session class absences which are unexcused (classes which meet for 1 hour and 20 minutes) or 1 double-session class absence (classes which meet for 2 hours and 50 minutes) your grade will go down by one level (i.e.: a “B+” becomes a “B”).

· Lateness occurs when you arrive for class up to 15 minutes later than the scheduled time; arrival after 15 minutes can be counted as an absence; 2 latenesses equal 1 absence.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities (learning, physical or psychological) who require reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments for a course must be registered with the Office of Disability Services or enrolled in the Academic Access Program. With students’ permission, faculty members are notified each semester by CONFIDENTIAL email that a student with documented disabilities is in their class and is eligible for accommodations.

If a student has questions regarding the Office of Disability Services or accommodations, please contact Diana Nash, Director of Academic Access & Disability Services, Room 706i, 7thfloor Main Building,r 212-774-0724.

Academic Honesty Policy:

MMC fosters an academic community where students and faculty work together to create a learning experience that imparts knowledge and forms character. To achieve this, the College requires all members of the community to adhere to the policy of Academic Honesty that can be found in the Student Handbook, the College Catalogue and on the College website.

Students found submitting work that is not their own can expect to receive a failing grade in the course, not just on the assignment.

Confidentiality Policy:

Due to the possible sensitive nature of some of the situations discussed in class, it is of the utmost importance that everyone adhere to a confidentiality policy. The topics discussed in class are not to be discussed (verbally, written, or on the internet) outside of the classroom. If this policy is breached, a penalty of a grade reduction will be enforced.

Miscellaneous

If you must miss class, try to let me know in advance and be sure to keep up with the material. You are responsible for getting notes from other class members and finding out about any assignments.

Turn off ALL CELL PHONES! By “off” I do NOT mean “on vibrate.” I mean OFF. Anyone whose cell phone goes off in class will be considered “late” and penalized accordingly. Anyone who answers a phone call in class will be asked to leave for the day and will be counted as absent for that class.

No laptop computers, Kindles, iPods, iPhones or other electronic devices will be allowed to operate during class. Leave them in their cases. Do not keep them on your desks.

There is NO eating in class. Coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Fall 2012 Friday 2:15-4:15pm

Black box theatre email:

September

7: Week 1: Overview – Job Description – Reading the Script – Where/How to Begin (Pre-Production)

14: Week 2: Auditions – Call Scripts – Setting Up Your Production Book – The Paperwork

21: Week 3: Production Meetings – Rehearsal Schedules – Call Boards – Blocking Notation

28: Week 4: Setting up the rehearsal hall – Groundplans – Reading Scale Drawings – Taping out the Floor Plan (show assignments no later than this class)

October

5: Week 5: Running Rehearsals – Schedules – Fittings – Keeping on Schedule – Working with Artistic Staff – Blocking Notation

12: Week 6: Teching the Show – Keeping the Day Focused – Dry Tech – Cue to Cue – Safety Onstage

19: Week 7: Backstage Organization – Backstage Safety – The Crew – Department Heads – Props – The Scenery – Moving Scenery – Winches

26: Week 8: Calling the Show – Headsets – Cue Lights – Sound, Light, Fly Cues

November

2: Week 9: Calling the Show (Practical)

9: Week 10: Understudy Rehearsals – Rehearsals After Opening – Keeping the Show Fresh – Rehearsing New Plays – Giving Notes

16: Thanksgiving

23: Week 11: Taking the Show on the Road – Load In/Out – Stage Managing for dance

30: Week 12: Unions – Contracts – Closing a Show – Strike

December

7: Week 13: Wrap Up – Individual Meetings to Discuss Projects and Production Books

14: Week 14: Final Production Books and Papers Due