Course Syllabus

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Southern Utah University

Fall Semester 2025

Theatrical Production (Face-to-Face)

THEA 1613-01

Course:	THEA 1613-01
Credits:	3
Term:	Fall Semester 2025
Department:	TA
CRN:	30629

Course Description

An introduction to the practical study of stage carpentry, costuming, lighting, and sound techniques. This course covers foundational concepts specific to these technical areas of theatre, and through its co-requisite lab provides students with fundamental skills to understand how theatrical production is accomplished. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): THEA 1641 Registration Restriction(s): BA/BS Theatre, BA/BS Theatre Education, BFA Acting, BFA Theatre Design and Production, or BFA Theatre Arts majors only

Required Texts

Text is availabe through the SUU Library Online for Free

Illustrated Theatre Production Guide, 4th Edition by John Holloway, Zachary Stribling

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify and assess present and possible safety hazards within theatrical production.
2. Analyze and define the primary types of performance spaces, their characteristics, parts, and machinery as well members of the production team and their roles within theatrical production.
3. Identify the tools, hardware, components, accessories, instrumentation, and materials involved in theatrical carpentry, costume, lighting, and sound production.
4. Distinguish between the various production departments and which systems and drafting they employ to successfully create theatrical productions.
5. Communicate the construction processes in creating a theatrical costume.
6. Identify and define the properties and uses of theatrical costume materials, fabrics, and pieces and how they affect theatrical performers.
7. Accurately interpret costume renderings as they relate to responsibilities of director, technician, and actor.
8. Distinguish and determine appropriate interpersonal skills when interacting with costume personnel.
9. Demonstrate basic working knowledge and skills requisite of costume wardrobe responsibilities.

Course Requirements

Reading Assignments
Throughout the semester there are assigned readings from your book or instructor-provided materials. These readings are assessed for completion and understanding by an online (Canvas) quiz. The suggested reading schedule is provided on Canvas and reading quizzes are active from the date on the syllabus for a period of two weeks. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the outside reading and quiz schedule.

Tests and Quizzes
There are tests throughout the semester. Each test can cover any material learned from throughout the semester to the point of the exam. Test questions will only be asked of material covered. Unannounced or announced quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester.

Projects and Homework
Below is a brief overview of each of the projects assigned over the course of the semester, additional homework and reading is required but not covered here:

Theatre Terminology: Within groups you will divide a list of terms and define each word as well as provide a picture demonstrating that word in context. These will be compiled by each group into a theatre terminology encyclopedia.

Safety Pamphlet: In small groups you will create an informative handout that can be given to others describing one aspect of how to safety utilize or work with equipment or tools found backstage in production.

Props: You will create a basic prop list and budget for a ten minute play

Drafting: Using a room you have access to a scaled groundplan and elevation will be created. These draftings will utilize line weight, line type, scale and drafting standards to convey an overview of what is in the room.

Electrical Math: You will solve various simple electrical systems for their measurable parts including resistance, power, electromotive force and current.

Lighting Plot: Using a given lighting plot you will make some minor alterations as well as answer a system of questions based on the information provided.

QLab: You will create a basic cue list for sound playback utilizing multiple sound files, fades and groups.

Tools & Technicians of Costuming: Create a resource document with images, definitions, and appropriate use of the tools and equipment, and examples of each of the technical positions of the costuming world.

Technician Videos: Utilizing the internet and digital libraries, a live document will be created with videos illustrating the variety of costume careers.

Character of Fabric & Materials: A swatch book of fabrics and materials will be created for identification and comprehensions of, care and maintenance of costumes, and impact on finished costumes.

The Do’s/Don’ts & Whys: Each student will create their definitive list of costume “Do’s and Don’ts” for comprehension of the requisite professional intrapersonal skills necessary in navigating the theatrical costume world.

From Rendering to Stage-Sourcing a Costume: Working with an actual costume rendering, student will interpret the costume necessities, develop a working costume list, pull costume pieces, determine possible purchase locations, and finalize a list of those pieces that must be constructed.

Course Outline

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Many assignments will be submitted on Canvas, others will be physically submitted in class. Consult the Canvas assignment for submission format as well as due date/time information. Late projects may be accepted with a penalty increasing 3% daily. If you need to be absent, work due during your absence must be turned in ahead of time.

Attendance Policy

Departmental Absence Policy
Attendance policies vary by instructor and course section. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the specific attendance expectations for each course. These policies will be clearly outlined in the instructor's syllabus or course information. If clarification is needed, students should proactively contact their instructor.
Lecture Based Courses
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. Students who miss more than four class meetings for courses scheduled three days a week; three in courses scheduled two days a week, or one is courses scheduled one day a week, shall have their grade lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade with an additional 1/3 for every additional absence.
Studio Based Courses
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. Students who miss more than four class meetings for courses scheduled three days a week; three in courses scheduled two days a week, or one in courses scheduled one day a week, shall have their grade lowered by a full letter grade with an additional 1/3 grade for every additional absence.

Additional Information

Any student missing more than 25% of class meetings cannot receive a passing grade in departmental courses.
Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Fees

None

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

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