Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Dance Production and Design (Face-to-Face)

DANC 2300-01

Course: DANC 2300-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 10915

Course Description

Introduction to the analytical, artistic, and production processes required to understand, create, and execute designs for dance performance. The student will grapple with the concepts of developing and executing production designs through the completion of class projects focused on each of the major fields of design and production (costume, lighting, sound, & stage management) as related to dance.

Required Texts

Required Text: Dance Production: Design & Technology by Jeromy Hopgood

ISBN: 9781138795914

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Exploration and utilization of fundamental aspects of the elements and principles of design through art & dance design projects, written synthesis, and oral presentation.
  2. Communicate and exemplify how the vocabulary and techniques of production design can support the vocabulary of dance movement through production aspects of costume, lights, & sound.
  3. Gain an introductory understanding of how to design costumes, lights, sound, and stage management in a dance venue through focused design & paper projects.
  4. Analyze and critically review peer and professional designs to strengthen knowledge of designing for dance.
  5. Collaborative communication skills honed through group design projects.

Course Requirements

Course Assessment

Students will be graded on attendance & participation, assignments, and projects, as well as meeting due dates and deadlines. Participation includes active engagement during lectures, group work, and in-class activities as well as being prepared with out-of-class work for “design meetings.” Meeting one’s deadlines is perhaps the most important skill of a professional. Please take deadlines seriously.

Projects and Homework

Each assignment and project will have a detailed written explanation, learning objectives, expectation, and assessment. It will be handed out on or before the day the assignment is given. The nature of the design projects and assignments in this course have a sense of ambiguity and openness much like the real world of design where there is no one “right” answer. The key to exemplary work and high grades is to think outside the box, critically utilizing the skills learned in class, analytical evaluation of material, and application of that knowledge in the project. Additionally, quality and clarity in the presentation (visual, oral, and written communication) of the projects is necessary. The production related projects are skill based and will have specific components that must be learned and executed with competency. Please ask questions if you do not understand the nature or expectation of the assignments/projects.

Assignments (50%)
  • Personal Design Collage
  • Dance Fabric Sample Notebook
  • Costume Terminology & Jobs
  • Costume Plot, Piece Lists, & Measurements
  • Dance Makeup Chart
  • Lighting Morgue
  • Lighting Key
  • Magic Sheet
  • Sound Schematic
  • Sound Editing Exercise
  • Stage Management Assignment
Projects (50%)
  • Costume Design Project
  • Lighting Design Project
  • Sound Design Project
  • Choreographer Packet
Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range
A 100 % to 94.0%
A- < 94.0 % to 90.0%
B+ < 90.0 % to 87.0%
B < 87.0 % to 84.0%
B- < 84.0 % to 80.0%
C+ < 80.0 % to 77.0%
C < 77.0 % to 74.0%
C- < 74.0 % to 70.0%
D+ < 70.0 % to 67.0%
D < 67.0 % to 64.0%
D- < 64.0 % to 61.0%
F < 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

W1 | Introduction to dance and production design vocabulary. Student collage presentations.
W2 | Study of design principles and elements. Exploration of costume roles and language.
W3 | Continuing the study of costumer’s language and dance fabrics.
W4 | Analysis of costume styles, genres, and footwear. Focus on costume-choreographer collaborations.
W5 | Costume design process and communication paperwork. Realizing designs through shop, stock, or construction.
W6 | Costume finishing touches including hair, makeup, and props. Final costume design presentations.
W7 | Introduction to lighting team, collaboration, as well as lighting functions and properties.
W8 | Technical study of lighting instrumentation and systems.
W9 | Exploration of lighting rep plots. Design development and drafting paperwork.
W10 | Focus on lighting documentation. Introduction to stage management.
W11 | Lighting design presentations. Introduction to sound team collaboration and functions/properties of sound.
W12 | Exploration of sound equipment and systems. Overview of the sound design process.
W13 | Introduction to sound software and documentation.
W14 | First production meeting. Student sound design presentations.
W15 | Final design meetings.

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

Late 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

Attendance

Attendance is required unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. Students who miss more than three classes shall have their grade lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade with an additional 1/3 for every additional absence. Tardiness is defined as being greater than 5 minutes late to class. Tardies will count as an absence at a ratio of 3 tardies for 1 absence. Any student missing more than 25% of class meetings cannot receive a passing grade in this course.

Excused Absences

The Department will adhere to the SUU Excused Absence Policy 6.30 for students participating as representatives of SUU at academic events and artistic performances.

Exceptions may be:

  • practice or rehearsal for any event is not eligible;
  • academic endeavors that require completion of a predetermined number of contact hours,
  • and consecutive days missed do not exceed 5 regularly scheduled schools days.

Students’ rights and responsibilities include:

  • informing their instructor of dates prior to the date of anticipated absence;
  • request opportunity to complete missed assignments, activities and labs prior to excused absence;
  • and being responsible for material covered in class.

Course Fees

None

Additional Information

Assumption of Risk

Working within theatrical production carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. I know and understand and appreciate these and other risks are inherent in the activity I am participating in. I hereby assert that my participation is voluntary and that I knowingly assume all such risks. The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance does take all possible precautions for the welfare and safety of its students. If students feel work is too risky or notice risks to their health or welfare, the student should stop working and immediately report the condition to any faculty member or directly to the department chair.

Financial Security Statement

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

SUU Campus Resources and Services

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services and the Student Handbook. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources page.

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.