Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Scenic Painting (Face-to-Face)

THEA 2553-01

Course: THEA 2553-01
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 33921

Course Description

This course is designed to familiarize theatre students with the basic techniques and tools used in the painting of theatrical scenery. Emphasis will be placed on practical application of these skills. (Fall - Even Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

No required textbook.

Learning Outcomes

1. Ability to describe the role the scenic artist fills in theatre and the relationship to other members of the production staff .
2. Ability to identify the tools, techniques , methods and materials of the scenic artist.
3. Ability to apply the tools, techniques, methods and materials of the scenic artist in the act of painting

Course Requirements

Projects will be worked on in class and outside of class in order to be completed on the date given in class for group critique. There will be midterm and final projects that will be worked on during and outside of class time. When due, all projects will be completed and ready for grading

Course Outline

  • Lining with Bamboo: Draw then paint straight lines on a surface using aa bamboo pole to master standing brush control.
  • Shadowing: Study the behavior of light sources by painting realistic drop shadows and cast shadows under lining and with basic 3D shapes
  • Texturing: Create a samples utilizing wet-blending, scumbling, stippling, and spattering to learn how flat surfaces simulate dimensional depth.
  • Brick: Measure, layout, and paint a brick wall segment complete with mortar lines and weathered textures
  • Stone: Replicate irregular, organic materials like fieldstone or marble using various techniques
  • Wood: Utilize wood-graining tools, brushes, and glazes to create realistic planks and knots that mimic architectural timber.
  • Midterm Project: Recreate a provided rendering on a 4'x4' flat with basic techniques
  • Final Project: Recreate a provided rendering on a 4'x6' flat with intermediate techniques 

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

All work is to be completed to the best of your abilities, prior to the due date, and submitted on time. With the exception of circumstances beyond the student's control (i.e. Sudden Illness, bereavement, etc.) or prior arrangements have been made with the instructor BEFORE the due date, any assignments turned in after the due date will have 5% deducted for EACH day it is late. Absence from class on the day an assignment is due is not a valid excuse and makeup work will not be accepted.

Attendance Policy

The Department attendance policy states:
  • 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.

If clarification is needed, students should proactively contact me so we can discuss. 

Course Fees

There are no additional fees for this course.


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.