Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Theatrical Design (Face-to-Face)

THEA 2513-01

Course: THEA 2513-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 30342

Course Description

Introduction to the technical process required to research and develop theatre designs. The student will grasp the foundation and process of design through the completion of class projects in each of the major fields of theatrical design. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Prerequisite(s): THEA 1813 - Prerequisite Min Grade: C

Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

None.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Utilize fundamental aspects of the elements and principles of design through art & theatrical design projects, written synthesis, and oral presentation. 
  2. Engage in visual awareness of the world around and utilization of that collective information in design projects.
  3. Analyze and critically review peer and professional designs to strengthen knowledge of designing for the theatre.
  4. Develop research skills and script analysis techniques to support design choices when creating design projects. 
  5. Practice basic technique in design for scenic, costume, light, and sound in a theatrical venue through focused design projects.
  6. Demonstrate collaborative communication skills honed through group design projects.

Course Requirements

Attendance: 20%
Assignments: 60%
Final Project: 20%

Course Outline

Over the course of the semester, our exploration will be divided into three distinct sections:

Costume Design

In the costume design section, you will delve into the realm of character interpretation, historical context, and the power of color and texture in conveying emotions and personalities. The costume design segment will consist of a brief survey of costumes for ballet, the characters of Don Quixote, and drawing/rendering techniques. Artists will create a design package that consists of the following:

  • Research Presentation for all costumes in Don Quixote
  • Design Statement
  • Pieces List
  • Sketches for Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Kitri, Dulcinea, Basilio, & Gamache
  • Color Renderings for Don Quixote & 2 characters of artists choice.

Scenic Design

The scenic design section will take you into the world of set creation and spatial storytelling. You'll explore how to transform a stage into a visually captivating environment that enhances the narrative. Through sketches, mood boards, and model-building, you'll craft a scenic design that immerses the audience in the world of Don Quixote. Like a painter creating a canvas, you'll combine stock materials and found objects to build an environment that's both imaginative and functional.

  • Research Presentation for all scenery in Don Quixote
  • Design Statement
  • Thumbnails
  • Ground Plan(s)
  • Unit drawings
  • Perspective rendering or model

Lighting and Sound Design

In the lighting design section, you'll understand the art of manipulating light to evoke emotions and guide the audience's attention. You'll study the interplay of light and shadow, color temperatures, and dynamic effects. By experimenting with various lighting setups, you'll craft an atmospheric and evocative design that complements both the costumes and the scenic elements, amplifying the story's impact on the audience. This section will also include immersion in the score of Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus and sound design for dance.

  • Research Presentation for all lighting in Don Quixote
  • Design Statement
  • Lighting Cue list
  • Thumbnails of selected scenes
  • Sound Research
  • Sound Design Statement
  • Sound Cue List
  • Sound Sample

Final Project: The Don Quixote Experience 

In the final phase of the course, all your learnings will converge in a collaborative realized design project. Working as a team, you will select a specific scene from Don Quixote and integrate your costume, scenic, and lighting designs into a cohesive and immersive experience. Drawing inspiration from Meow Wolf's immersive approach, you'll incorporate stock materials, found objects, cardboard, soft goods, and paint to create an environment that transports the audience into the heart of the ballet's narrative. This world will be electrified with sound and light with use of repertory instruments from SUU. Artists should not be limited by materials and should consider other great artists like Wayne White and Joseph Cornell.

This project is not just about design, but also about collaboration, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of traditional theatre. We encourage you to think outside the box, experiment, and bring your unique perspectives to the table.

Get ready to embark on this creative adventure, where you'll not only learn the technical aspects of theatre design but also discover the magic of storytelling through immersive experiences. We can't wait to see the captivating designs you'll bring to life!

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

Attendance is required unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel.

Tardiness: If a student shows up to class more than 5 minutes late they will not be allowed to participate and will be required to observe and complete an observation form to be handed in to the professor at the end of class. Students are allowed six tardies, or the equivalent of two total absences, before their grade is affected. On a student’s seventh tardy, their grade will drop half a letter grade, as outlined below.

3 tardies = 1 absence = A; 6 tardies = 2 absences = A; 7 tardies = A-; 8 tardies = B; 9 tardies = C+; 10 tardies = C-; 11 tardies = D

Observation: If a student is unable to participate in a studio-based class due to an injury or otherwise, students are allowed to sit out and observe with approval from the professor and in some cases, a doctor’s note. They will be required to fill out a hardcopy observation form to be handed in to the professor at the end of class (found in each dance studio’s sound cabinet). Students are allowed six observations, or the equivalent of two total absences, before their grade is affected. On a student’s seventh observation their grade will drop half a letter grade, as outlined below.

3 observations = 1 absence = A; 6 observations = 2 absences = A; 7 observations = A-; 8 observations = B; 9 observations = C+; 10 observations = C-; 11 observations = D

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.

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.