Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Basic Stagecraft

 Title Abbreviation:   BASIC STAGECRAFT

 Department:    DRMA

 Course #:    161

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.25

 CIP:    500501

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Planning, drafting, construction and rigging of scenery. Practical laboratory experiences in scenery construction, painting, handling and rigging of scenery. One production crew assignment with one scheduled laboratory assignment.

 Prerequisite  

None

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 33

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Elective  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
CWU TH 267
EWU THR 340
U of W DR 210
UPS THR 340
WSU DR 163
WWU THA 212

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify and explain terminology commonly used in scenery construction and theatrical presentation.
  2. Describe the responsibilities of the theatrical craft artisans in their design areas.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of scenic writing including designers drawings and paperwork, blueprints and material orders and shop cutting lists.
  4. Execute basic working drawing, orthographic projection, oblique and cabinet drawings.
  5. Demonstrate proper knowledge of drafting technique by using proper drafting conventions and symbols.
  6. Identify and safely operate hand tools and stationary power tools used in the area of scenic construction.
  7. Explain and evaluate M.S.D.S. as they relate to personal safety.
  8. Identify the members of the production team, describe their responsibilities and understand the importance of teamwork in carrying out a group project.
  9. Describe the organizational structures of different types of theatre organizations.
  10. Recognize, explain, and execute the different techniques used in the painting of scenery and backdrops.
  11. Recognize, explain, and execute different techniques used in rigging of scenery, drapes, and backdrops.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.2 Access the needed information effectively, efficiently, ethically, and legally.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

5. Global & Local Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding the complexity and interdependence of, and stewardship responsibilities to, local and global communities and environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
5.3 Understand the consequences of choices as they relate to local/global community and environmental issues.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.3 Apply successful organizational strategies of planning, goal setting, prioritizing, resolving conflict, and managing time to specific goals and/or projects.

7. Aesthetics & Creativity

Definition: Interpreting human experience through engagement with creative processes and aesthetic principles.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
7.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the creative process.

8. Mathematical Reasoning

Definition: Understanding and applying concepts of mathematics and logical reasoning in a variety of contexts, both academic and non-academic.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
8.1 Analyze problems to determine what mathematical principles apply.
8.2 Correctly apply logical reasoning and mathematical principles to solve problems.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

  1. Theatrical and technical terminology
  2. Theatre craft artisan relationships to production staffs
  3. Identify and safely operate power tools
  4. Construction techniques of theatrical scenery
  5. Support equipment identification and use
  6. The production sequence
  7. Theatre craft plans and paperwork
  8. Identify and safely operate hand tools
  9. Safety, personal and shop
  10. Rigging and handling of stage equipment and scenery