Theater Production Design Subject Areas

Latin Theater History

Explores the rich and diverse traditions of Latin theater from ancient cultural performances to contemporary movements. This unit covers significant periods, styles, and influences in Latin theater, including the Spanish Golden Age, indigenous performances, early Mexican theater, and modern movements such as the Chicano Theater Movement, Cuban Theater in Miami, and Nuyorican Theater.

Modules

• Latin Theater Pre-Colonization
• Latin Theater Movements

African American Theater History

Explores the rich and diverse traditions of African American theater from its roots in African cultural practices to its development in the United States. This unit covers significant themes, movements, and periods in African American theater, including the influence of African culture, the impact of colonization, post-colonial developments, political resistance, and the evolution of Black theater in the United States.

Modules

• African Theater Pre-Colonization
• Post-Colonia African Theater
• Black Theater in the U.S.

European Theater History

Explores the rich and diverse history of theater in Europe from its earliest beginnings to contemporary times. This unit covers significant periods and movements in European theater, including Ancient Greek and Roman theater, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Neoclassicism, Restoration theater, Vaudeville, the Victorian era, Melodrama, Realism, Modern Theater, and Post-Modernism.

Modules

• Ancient Greece to Restoration
• Vaudeville to Post Modernism

Year 1 – The Stage

[Intro Unit] An in-depth unit that explores the various types of theater stages, their historical origins, and their impact on theatrical production and performance. Covers the four primary stage types: Arena, Thrust, Flexible, and Proscenium, as well as the evolution of stage design from its origins through Restoration Theater, the Victorian era, and Realism. Students will also learn about stage direction and the specific parts of an Arena stage. 

Modules

• Types of Stages a comprehensive understanding of the four primary types of theater stages: Arena, Thrust, Flexible, and Proscenium. This module explores the unique characteristics, historical development, and practical applications of each stage type. Students will learn how these different stage configurations influence performance, audience experience, and production design.

Year 2 – Theater Components

[Intermedia Unit] Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the key elements that make up a theater production. Focuses on two critical components: soft goods and lighting positions. Students will learn about the construction and usage of curtains, the concept of fullness, and other essential soft goods. Additionally, covers various lighting positions, including their names, functions, and numbering systems. 

Modules

• Soft Goods an in-depth exploration of the various fabric elements used in theater production, focusing on curtain construction, fullness, and other essential soft goods. This module covers the technical aspects of creating and utilizing these components to enhance the visual and functional aspects of a theatrical production.

• Lighting Positions covers the identification and use of different lighting positions, the naming conventions and numbering systems associated with these positions, and their practical applications in creating effective lighting designs.

Year 1 – Design Principles

[Intro Unit] Designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and techniques of design in the context of theater production. Covers the essential principles of color and value, the core principles of design, and the creation of working drawings.

Modules

• Color Theory provides students with a foundational understanding of the principles and applications of color in theater design. This module covers key concepts such as color and value, hue, and saturation, and explores how these elements can be used to create mood, focus, and visual interest in theatrical productions.

• Principles of Design Pt. 1 introduces students to fundamental design principles that are essential for creating visually compelling and cohesive theater productions. This module covers key concepts such as contrast, rhythm, proportion, and scale.

• Principles of Design Pt. 2  continues the exploration of fundamental design principles essential for creating cohesive and visually compelling theater productions. This module covers key concepts such as balance, emphasis, movement, unity, and variety.

Year 3 – Set Design

[Intro Unit] A foundational unit designed to introduce students to the essential concepts and techniques of theatrical lighting. Covers the basics of lighting instruments, focus profiles, wash lighting, and the components that make up a theater lighting system.

Modules

• Working Drawings provides students with a foundational understanding of the key elements and techniques involved in creating effective set designs for theater productions. This module covers the creation and interpretation of ground/floor plans, front and rear elevations, and the use of virtual design tools.

Year 1 – Intro to Theater Lights

[Intro Unit]  Designed to introduce students to the essential concepts and techniques of theatrical lighting. Covers the basics of lighting instruments, focus profiles, wash lighting, and the components that make up a theater lighting system.

Modules

• Lighting Instruments introduces students to the various types of stage lights used in theater production. This module covers the technical specifications, applications, and unique characteristics of each lighting instrument. 

• Focus Profiles and Wash delves into the intricacies of creating different lighting effects on stage through the use of focus profiles and wash lighting. This module covers throw patterns, flood lights, spotlights, automated lights, and the relationship between distance and light strength. Students will learn how to manipulate these elements to enhance the visual impact of theatrical productions.

• Lighting Components provides a detailed examination of the various parts that constitute a stage lighting instrument. Students will learn about the essential components, including reflectors, lenses, and frames, and their roles in shaping and directing light. This module aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of how each component functions and contributes to the overall performance of stage lighting.

Year 2 – Set Up & Documentation

[Intermedia Unit] Designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the practical aspects of theater lighting setup and the essential documentation involved in the process.  Covers the safe and efficient hanging and circuiting of lights, power distribution, the creation and interpretation of light plots, and the preparation of detailed reports and documentation.

Modules

• Hang & Circuit Fixtures provides students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to safely and efficiently hang and circuit lighting fixtures in a theater setting. This module covers the entire process, from the initial hang call to the precise focusing of lights. Additionally, students will be introduced to key equipment providers in the industry. 

• Distribution provides students with an in-depth understanding of the power distribution systems used in theater lighting. This module covers the essential components of control equipment, including dimmers and channels. Students will learn how to manage and distribute electrical power to lighting instruments and control systems, ensuring a reliable and efficient lighting setup. 

• The Light Plot provides students with a comprehensive understanding of drafting and interpreting light plots, which are essential tools in theater lighting design. This module covers the process of creating a light plot, including the use of symbols and numbers, as well as techniques for achieving general lighting coverage. 

• Reports and Documentation – The essential documentation required for theater lighting setups. This module covers the creation and management of key reports, including the Channel Hookup, Instrument Schedule, Dimmer Schedule, and Circuit Schedule. Students will also learn how to maintain these documents in an organized binder, ensuring easy access and reference during productionsd

Year 3 – Lighting Control Fundamentals

[Advanced Unit] Designed to introduce students to the essential concepts and techniques involved in controlling stage lighting. Covers the basics of lighting control systems, including patching, control signals, programming lighting cues, and using master controls.

Modules

• Intro to Lighting Controls a comprehensive introduction to the essential functions and components of lighting control systems in theater. Students will explore the basic principles of lighting control, the operation of electric control consoles, and the various components that make up a theater lighting system. 

• Patching provides students with a thorough understanding of the process of assigning lighting instruments to control channels on a lighting control board. This module covers the differences between hard patch and soft patch, the significance of each method, and their practical applications in theater lighting.

• Control Signals and Wiring provides students with an in-depth understanding of the control signals and wiring systems used in theater lighting. This module covers the setup and management of moving lights, the operation of lighting consoles, and the workflow required to ensure smooth and efficient lighting control. 

• Lighting Cues provides students with a comprehensive understanding of programming and executing lighting cues in theater productions. This module covers various cue techniques, including tracking, tracing, cue-only, and blocking, as well as the attributes of cues that enhance the visual storytelling of a performance. 

• Master Controls provides students with an advanced understanding of the master controls used in lighting control boards. This module covers the use of master controls, submasters, effects, and playbacks to achieve sophisticated lighting designs and dynamic visual effects in theater productions.

Year 3 – Lighting Network Fundamentals

[Advanced Unit] Designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and technologies involved in setting up and managing lighting networks for theater productions.  Covers the basics of Ethernet networks, lighting network setup, power management, system troubleshooting, and feedback mechanisms.

Modules

• The Ethernet provides students with a foundational understanding of Ethernet technology and its application in theater lighting networks. This module covers key concepts such as the network universe, IP addresses, and the configuration of network devices. 

Year 1 – Intro to Sound

[Intro Unit]  Designed to introduce students to the essential principles and techniques of sound in theater production. Covers key concepts such as frequencies, sound sources, the inverse-square law, direct vs. indirect sound, noise, feedback, gain, volume, and loudness. Additionally, students will learn about sound reinforcement, design, and board operations.

Modules

• Sound Design This module covers key areas such as sound design concepts, sound system design, and sound board operations.

• The Sound System This module provides a comprehensive overview of the key components of a theater sound system, focusing on the four main elements: input devices, processing devices, amplification devices, and output devices.

* Digital Mixers This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts of digital mixers in theater sound production. Students will explore the advantages and disadvantages of digital mixers compared to analog counterparts, delve into the advanced features unique to digital mixing environments, and gain practical skills in configuring Digital Mixing Consoles (DMCs).

Year 2 – The Projected Image

[Intermedia Unit]  Designed to introduce students to the evolution and application of image projection in theater.  Covers the historical development of image projection, the technical aspects of modern projectors, and the essential components such as digital cables and connectors.

Modules

• Theater Tech History Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of projection technology in theater. This module covers early projection systems, the development and use of analog projection with lenses and optics, and the transition from CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) to digital projection systems.

• The Projected Image provides students with an in-depth understanding of video projectors used in theater productions. This module covers different video projector formats, the types of projection devices available, and common video projector layouts.

Year 3 – Video Display Technologies

[Advanced Unit] Designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the technologies and techniques involved in video display for theater productions.  Covers the evolution of image projection, the technical aspects of modern projectors, digital cables and connectors, video processors, switchers, scalers, media servers, and the latest developments in theater technologies.

Modules

• Video Processors, Switchers and Scalers covers the fundamentals of video processing, including line doubling and quadrupling, video scaling, using multiple sources, and the functionality of audio/video matrix switchers.

• Media Servers covers media servers and content delivery, video mapping, creating projection mapping using media servers, the different models of media servers, and comprehensive content management.