All students are required to read and have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. Any questions or concerns need to be addressed to the instructor.

Transcription

1 Mission Statement: Our mission is to serve as a leading center of Christian thought and action providing an excellent education from a Biblical perspective and global context in pivotal professions to equip Christian leaders to change the world.. COURSE SYLLABUS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION & THE ARTS DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS THE 724 STAGE MANAGEMENT FALL 2012 COURSE LOCATION: DISTANCE CAMPUS HYBRID CLASS LOCATION: TBA CLASS MEETING TIME: MODULAR WEEK: M-F COURSE INSTRUCTOR: WENDY DECKER All students are required to read and have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. Any questions or concerns need to be addressed to the instructor.

2 Page 2 of 8 SECTION 1 COURSE OVERVIEW INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Instructor: Wendy Decker Telephone: Fax: wdecker@regent.edu In the subject line of your , please include the course number (THE 724) and have your full name in your signature. Note: All students are required to keep their mailing address, e- mail address, and telephone numbers up to date in GENISYS to facilitate communication between instructors and students. Office Hours: By appointment only Office Location: COM247 Best time to contact me: 9:00a-5p, Monday-Friday SHORT BIO Ms. Decker moved to the Hampton Roads area in 1999 to work for the Virginia Opera. During her tenure there, she was a Stage Manager and the Statewide Box Office Manager. She began working at Regent University in 2004 as the Theatre Manager where she increased patron membership by 500% and has worked consistently as a mentor and adjunct professor of Stage Management. Ms. Decker was named the Director of the Performing Arts Center in August 2007 and the Director of Performing Arts Center & Marketing in Previously a member of the stage management teams for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, World Communities Theatre and the Birmingham Children s Theatre, she holds a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Mississippi and an MFA in Stage Management from the University of Alabama. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an overview of the stage manager s process from pre-rehearsal through final performance. Students are expected to create a prompt book as a final project. Theme Scripture: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:7-9 INTEGRATION OF FAITH This course will examine not only the necessary skills and best practices for stage manager, but will be centered on a biblical context of peacemaking. Emphasis will be placed on conflict resolution from a Christian perspective. SECTION 2 COURSE EXPECTATIONS COURSE OUTCOMES Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Objective: Demonstrate a mastery of the procedural elements of stage management.

3 Page 3 of 8 Measurement: This will be achieved through: the taping out a ground plan exercise, the scene blocking exercise, the show calling test and the prompt book project. 2. Objective: Evaluate a rehearsal and performance process in order to provide effective organizational and supervisory leadership. Measurement: This will be achieved through: in-class discussion and in-class analysis of a management case study. 3. Objective: Estimate an appropriate resolution to both personal and professional conflict with emphasis on mediation and reconciliation. Measurement: This will be achieved through: in-class discussion and in-class analysis of a management case study. 4. Outcomes: Gain a working understanding of Actors Equity Association (AEA), the professional union for Stage Managers. Assessment: This will be achieved through: in-class discussions and outside readings. REQUIRED MATERIALS Students are responsible for acquiring the following books and materials for this course before the first class meeting: Kelly, Thomas. The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management, 2 nd Edition. New York, N.Y.: Back Stage Books, Christie, Agatha. Ten Little Indians (A.K.A. And Then There Were None). New York, N.Y.: Samuel French, Inc. Sande, Ken. The Peace Maker, a Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. Grand Rapids, M.I.: Baker Books, a Division of Baker Book House Co., Note: The School has partnered with the Regent Bookstore to have textbooks available for purchase for all students, including distance students. Items may be ordered using the secured online catalog found at Daily access to the Internet and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) version 2007 or later. The latest version of a web browser compatible with Blackboard and media players. For assistance, visit the links provided in the Helpful Resources section of the course in Blackboard or contact IT Helpdesk via their website, phone at , or at helpdesk@regent.edu. Additional materials (e.g., PowerPoint files, quizzes, media, and the like) may be provided via Blackboard. Students are responsible for the information and materials distributed in class and on Blackboard (see Use of Blackboard below for more information). Understand and adhere to the Regent Honor Code found in the Student Handbook. A persistent link can also be found in Blackboard s RU Resources tab.

4 Page 4 of 8 Recommended Course Materials: All students must have a scale rule (or architect s ruler) for the first day of class. Please see the following link for an example of the correct style: It can be purchased at any office store and must have ¼ scale included. Other resources such as writing style guides, Blackboard tutorials, University policies, IT Helpdesk, and information may be accessed via the RU and Helpful Resources tabs in Blackboard as well as in the Helpful Resources section of this course. USE OF BLACKBOARD Blackboard will be used to aid communication and delivery of extemporaneous and other content as the semester progresses. We may also utilize the Discussion Board to extend our in-class discussions. Participation in Blackboard does not supplant course requirements for attendance or class participation. Therefore, while access to and use of Blackboard is required for this course, it should not be seen as a surrogate for class attendance or other course requirements. Also, please keep the following in mind: All discussion posts should be scholarly in nature and respectful of colleagues. Students are expected to check the Announcements section of Blackboard each week beginning one week before the start of the course. Students must keep their address current in Blackboard; they are expected to check their Regent daily to ensure timely receipt of messages from the professor. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION Attendance is required in order to complete this course. Students failing to attend a minimum number of campus class meetings will automatically fail the course unless arrangement is made with the professor to take an Incomplete and complete the course in accordance with University policy (see student handbook for more information about withdrawing from a course or the University, or for incomplete grades). To prevent automatic failure of a course, the minimum class attendance is as follows: For a 16 week course: Must attend at least 7 weeks of class meetings For a 10 week course: Must attend at least 6 weeks of class meetings For a 5 day Modular (Intensive) course: Must attend at least 3 days of class meetings Note: International students should consult the Office of International Student Services for how their immigration status may be impacted. All students should consult the Financial Aid office for information on how their funding may be impacted. In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for Regent University to suspend normal operations. During this time, Regent University may opt to continue delivery of traditional classroom instruction using the Blackboard Course Management System. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor the course Blackboard site in the event of campus closure. Late Assignments All assignments must be presented on the assigned date at the beginning of class. Work is considered late if it is received after the first 15 minutes of class the day the assignment is due. No work will be postponed or accepted late. Since promptness is a pivotal part of the Stage Manager s process, the nolate work policy of this course is created to reinforce that important lesson. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the instructor s discretion when mitigating circumstances arise. However, such exemptions should not be expected.

5 Page 5 of 8 Technical difficulties submitting to Blackboard will not be accepted unless document by the IT Help Desk. The IT Help Desk is your first point of contact for problems with Blackboard. Only when a documented system issue occurring on Blackboard s side will a deadline extension be granted. METHOD OF EVALUATION Taping Out a Ground Plan Exercise 20% Scene Blocking Exercise 25% Show Calling Test 25% Prompt Book Project 30% Textbook Reading: Each student is expected to read the class textbook, The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management and the script Ten Little Indians (A.K.A. And Then There Were None) prior to the first day of class. Taping Out a Ground Plan Exercise: Each student will participate in an (in-class) taping exercise. Attendance is mandatory on the day we are working on this exercise. Any unexcused absence will result in an automatic ZERO for this project. NO MAKE UP DAYS. Scene Blocking Exercise: Each student will record blocking for an (in-class) scene blocking exercise. Attendance is mandatory on the day we are working on this exercise. Any unexcused absence will result in an automatic ZERO for this project. NO MAKE UP DAYS. Show Calling Test: Each student will call a portion of Ten Little Indians (from video) on a sign-up basis (30 minute time slot) for the show calling test. Students must select one of the provided time-slots when the test is given. Failure to sign up for the test will result in an automatic ZERO. If after reasonable effort, you cannot find a time slot to fit your schedule, you must notify the instructor immediately to make other arrangements. Prompt Book Project: Each student will produce a prompt book for Ten Little Indians as a final project to include all production paperwork as assigned throughout the modular week and a production analysis. The following grading system will be used: Grade Percentage Score Quality Points A A B B B C C C D D

6 Page 6 of 8 D F SECTION 3 SCHEDULE AND EVALUATION COURSE SCHEDULE The schedule below includes the due dates for all assignments in this course. It is recommended that you place this Course Schedule in a convenient place and refer to it each week of the course. You need to follow it closely, as late assignments are subject to a grade reduction. All students must read the book The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management and the script Ten Little Indians (A.K.A. And Then There Were None) prior to the first day of class. Day 1: October 15 Topic: The Stage Manager s Process. Prior to class, watch Lecture 1: Stage Management Overview and read pp and Homework: plot points on your ground plan. Day 2: October 16 Exercise: Taping Out a Ground Plan. Wear clothes that can get dirty and allow for floor work. Bring scale rule and 25 tape measure. Homework: finish taping out your portion of the ground plan, read pp and watch Lecture 2: Blocking Day 3: October 17 Exercise: Blocking a Scene with a Director. Bring an extra eraser and a minimum of (2) mechanical pencils.homework: clean up blocking pages, read pp and watch Lecture 3: Calling a Show. Day 4: October 18 Exercise: Write cues in script and practice cue calling. Homework: clean-up cues in script, watch Lecture 4: Biblical Conflict Resolution and read pp in The Peace Maker book. Day 5: October 19 Exercise: Management Case Study. The cue calling test will be held outside of class time on Friday, October 19. A sign-up sheet will be provided on the first day of class. Final Project Due: November 26, 2012 by 5:00 p.m. Deliver final Prompt Books to Diane Clark in COM 221. SECTION 4 PROGRAM GOALS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND THE ARTS MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to graduate emerging leaders and scholars who demonstrate excellence and innovation in thought and action in their respective fields and who, through their educational experiences here, will transform and redeem media and the arts.

7 Page 7 of 8 PROGRAM GOALS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS. For each of the degree programs (MA, MFA, and PhD), enter a numbered list of goals as determined by the department, putting primary verbs in bold annotated with how this course fulfills the departmental goals (Window will expand as you type) SECTION 5 UNIVERSITY POLICIES Students should become familiar with all university policies as outlined in the Student Handbook including: Disability services Regent Honor Code (as an academic and Christian community, Regent University takes seriously the call for integrity and penalizes breaches of academic integrity.) Withdrawing from a course or the University Discipline policies A link to the Student Handbook can also be found in Blackboard s RU Resources tab along with links to University Library, Student Services, University Bookstore, academic writing assistance resources, and more. Blackboard s Help tab provides additional resources including: Blackboard tutorials IT Help Desk contact information STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION Students have the opportunity to provide feedback throughout the course through , telephone, and on-campus appointments. Near the end of the course, students will complete an anonymous online course evaluation form. Since the results contribute to improving course design and presentation, it is important that students be honest and constructive in their evaluations. Students will receive an reminder from the University when it is time to complete these evaluations. Please take time to provide this input. Students can access the online evaluation system at: If you have questions about the online evaluation please contact evaluation@regent.edu. This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Last updated: 7/24/2012 Regent University 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, Phone (888) Regent University, All Rights Reserved.

8 Page 8 of 8