Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Lighting, Sound, and Video Technology (Face-to-Face)

THEA 2632-01

Course: THEA 2632-01
Credits: 2
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 11656

Course Description

A continuation of THEA 1641 in the technologies used within lighting, sound, and video production for theatre. This course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of modern technical theatre practices with hands-on experience in planning, operating and troubleshooting technical systems within these areas.

Required Texts

Required Text: Automated Lighting, 3rd Edition by Richard Cadena ISBN: 9781315724492 (Available from the library as an ebook.)

Audio Engineering 101, 2nd Edition by Tim Dittmar ISBN: 9781315618173 (Available from the library as an ebook.)

Media Design and Technology for Live Entertainment By Davin Gaddy ISBN: 9781315442723 (Available from the library as an ebook.)

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Identify safety hazards in the theatre and practice stagecraft in a safe manner.
  2. Analyze designer-provided drafting and devise technical solutions within the fields of lighting, sound, and video production for theatre.
  3. Operate the tools, accessories, and instrumentation used in modern stage lighting, sound, and video production.
  4. Distinguish between amps, volts, watts, and ohms; calculate basic electrical needs from schematics.
  5. Troubleshoot common problems in lighting, sound, and video, practicing effective problem solving and time management.

Course Requirements

Tests/Quizzes

There are three tests throughout the semester including the final. Each test can cover any material learned from throughout the semester to that point of the exam. Quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester.

Assignments

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

  • System Setup and Testing:

    Install, test and troubleshoot examples of lighting, sound, and video systems.

  • Lighting Programming:

    A multi-day exercise in lighting programming including virtual environments (previsualization).

  • Sound Programming:

    A multi-day exercise in audio programming within Qlab. Sound Mixing: A multi-day exercise in audio programming within digital mixers.

  • Video Programming:

    A multi-day exercise in projections programming software including Qlab and Isadora.

  • Networking:

    Prepare and troubleshoot computer networks in lighting, sound, and projections systems.

  • Schedules and Planning:

    Working from a provided lighting design, create the technical preparations required to lead the lighting installation including all necessary worksheets, budgets, and schedules.

  • Lineset Schedule:

    Using information provided, create a detailed lineset schedule for a rigging changeover.

  • Electrical Math:

    Solve various simple electrical systems for their measurable parts including resistance, power, electromotive force and current.

  • Lighting Plot:

    Take a generic light plot from a touring production’s rider and adapt it to your venue and inventory.

  • Sound Schematic:

    A schematic block diagram will be drawn showing the signal flow throughout a hypothetical sound system. Each drawing will include industry standard symbols and labeling as well as an equipment list similar to the duties of a sound engineer.

  • Video Schematic:

    A schematic block diagram will be drawn showing the signal flow throughout a hypothetical projection system. Each drawing will include industry standard symbols and labeling.

  • Troubleshooting:

    Starting from a very broken system and with limited time, work in teams to identify and repair all problems.

Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range
A 94% to 100%
A- 90% to < 94%
B+ 87% to < 90%
B 84% to < 87%
B- 80% to < 84%
C+ 77% to < 80%
C 74% to < 77%
C- 70% to < 74%
D+ 67% to < 70%
D 64% to < 67%
D- 60% to < 64%
F 0% to < 60%

Course Outline

Wed Jan 7 L1 Introductions and Syllabus
Instrumentation, Cables & Plugs
Fri Jan 9 L2 Lighting Maintenance
Wed Jan 14 L3 Lighting Control Systems
Fri Jan 16 L4 Lighting Hang, Patch, Test, Strike
Wed Jan 21 L5 Automated Lights/LEDS/Data Sheets, Dipswitches
Fri Jan 23 L6 Networking: DMX/SACN, Universes & Addresses
Wed Jan 28 L7 Drafting and Lightwright
Fri Jan 30 L8 Practicals - Wiring
Wed Feb 4 L9 Programming
Fri Feb 6 L10 Programming
Wed Feb 11 L11 Practicals - LED Tape and Soldering
Fri Feb 13 L12 Troubleshooting - Make the Light Work
Wed Feb 18 S1 Sound Systems, Cables
Fri Feb 20 S2 Microphone Lab with Analog Mixer
Wed Feb 25 S3 Qlab
Fri Feb 27 S4 Qlab
Wed Mar 4 S5 Digital Mixers/Dante
Fri Mar 6 S6 Digital Mixers/Dante
Wed Mar 11   Spring Break - No Class
Fri Mar 13   Spring Break - No Class
Wed Mar 18 S7 (USITT) Audio Schematics and Setups
Fri Mar 20 S8 (USITT) Schematics, Lists, Diagrams
Wed Mar 25 S9 Computer Networking
Fri Mar 27 S10 Audio system setup and strike
Wed Apr 1 V1 Video Systems - Equipment, Key Vocab
Fri Apr 3 V2 Projector Playground - Settings, Lenses, Math
Wed Apr 8 V3 Qlab Video Programming
Fri Apr 10 V4 Video Editing
Wed Apr 15 V5 Show Control - MIDI, Timecode, OSC
Fri Apr 17 V6 Show Control - MIDI, Timecode, OSC
Thu Apr 23 V7 Group comprehensive final (Final - 7 AM - 9:50 PM)

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

Late Assignments:

Except as noted, assignments will be submitted online. Consult the assignment information on Canvas for all due dates and times. As many assignments will be shared and critiqued during class, it is essential that assignments are submitted on time for optimal feedback. Presentations must meet the due dates as scheduled. Presentation dates will not be rescheduled except as required under university policies. Such exceptions MUST be documented and have advanced notice, otherwise no accommodation will be provided. 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 is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. A student is allotted THREE (3) unexcused absences (for classes meeting TWO DAYS per week). Following the allotted unexcused absences for a specific course, each additional unexcused absence will incur a half-letter grade deduction from a student’s cumulative grade as outlined below:

0 additional unexcused absences: A
1 additional unexcused absence:   A-
2 additional unexcused absences: B
3 additional unexcused absences: C+
4 additional unexcused absences: C-
5 additional unexcused absences: D
6 additional unexcused absences: F

In addition to attendance, grades are contingent upon the completion and quality of all other course requirements as outlined by the professor. For purposes of grading, no distinction between excused and unexcused absences (excluding recognized religious holidays and approved university functions) as absenteeism affects the progress of the entire class. Unexcused absences from practical labs conducted during class will not be rescheduled.

If you know you will be absent in advance, please notify your professor.

Tardiness: If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered tardy. Three instances of tardiness to a class will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Statement of risk

Statement 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.

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.