This course expands on skills learned in the basic Stagecraft course in the areas of Lighting and Sound. This details technical skills and safety practices. The approach is practical emphasizing projects over lecture.

As a result of completing this course students will:

1. Gain strong skills in hanging and focusing lights, circuiting, and show control for Theatre.
2. Gain knowledge of maintenance of lighting equipment.
3. Gain knowledge in basic wiring for the Stage.
4. Gain knowledge in Effects Design including Atmospherics, Display lighting, Programmed effects.
5. Gain knowledge of Audio Systems, Microphones, Speakers, Mix Consoles and other processing.
6. Gain knowledge of Audio operation both in live mix as well as automated playback
7. Gain knowledge of working with Media in a digital form including Sound and Video.
8. Above all, students will learn the proper procedures for maintaining a safe environment when working in Electrics and Sound for Technical Theatre.

1. Familiarize students with materials, tools and skills for working as an Electrician for Theatre.
2. Familiarize students with materials, tools and techniques for working as an Audio Engineer for the Theatre.
3. Open students to other possible uses for the skills they learn outside of live Theatre such as Museum audio work, Concert lighting, Film et. al.
4. Instill a solid understand of safety practices in working as an Electrician and Engineer.
5. Open students to the craft of Digital Media manipulation including Sound and Video.

1. Practical application of tools and methods for electrics including proper hang and focus procedures, proper circuiting practices, programming both conventional lighting as well as automated fixtures.
2. Practical application of maintenance techniques for lighting instruments including cleaning, bench focusing, and wiring.
3. Practical exploration of Effects design including Atmospherics (Fog, Haze), Display lighting (chasing lights, faux neon) and programmed effects through control consoles.
4. Practical application of tools and methods for Audio production including system design and installation, microphone techniques both wired and wireless, live reinforcement, and recorded playback.
5. Practical exercises in digital media manipulation including mixing and processing sound and video, strategies for live playback of media and show control for Theatre.
6. Proper safety practices for all the above.

COURSE GRADE

The final grade for the course will be in part determined by periodic skill testing as sections of the course are completed. This will include exercises in hanging, circuiting, focusing and striking instruments, basic wiring, and installing and striking audio systems.

Another portion of the final grade will be determined by the successful completion of assigned projects in media manipulation and programming control systems. Students will be responsible to complete projects accurately and on schedule for full credit.

Another component of the final grade will be determined by students participation in projects, their willingness to try new techniques and ask pertinent questions about them. Above all, participation includes proper adherence to safety practices.

DEPARTMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Portfolio reviews function as the primary means of evaluation for students seeking acceptance into BFA programs in four-year institutions, as well as MFA and postgraduate professional programs. The quality of the work, assembled and organized into the student portfolio presentation as well as their ability to discuss and evaluate that work intelligently, serves as the single most important method of assessment by the various instructors and departments the student will encounter during their education. Technical Theatre students need to have a strong portfolio upon gaining their degrees.

Project work in this course will provide further material for students’ portfolios in technical areas. Successful completion of these projects will enhance a student’s chances to gain employment in the field and/or transfer to a four-year institution for further training.

Along with that work, Students successfully completing this course will learn a skill set that will serve them throughout their professional careers. In the short term, they will be able to confidently add those skills to their resumés, making them more attractive to the profession and four-year academic programs.

USE OF ASSESSMENT FINDINGS

Photographic documentation of student work will be kept in digital format for future reference. This documentation may be used as reference for future classes and promotion for the program. These findings can also be used in yearly review to determine the course’s effectiveness and support possible plans for improvement.