Courses:

To be held in the theatre

The first lesson will introduce the students to the different lighting instruments available:
Ellipsoidal Reflector Spots - (Lekos)
Fresnels
Pars
Strip Lights
Cyc Lights

The second class will demonstrate hanging and focusing lights and ladder safety.

The third class will introduce students to the basic commands and operations of the computerized light board.

The emphasis here is on communicating design ideas clearly and with assurance to members of the creative production team and to the audience. Students begin by creating a ground plan that conveys all the necessary information in an organized and uncluttered manner.

Later classes in scenic painting and carving require the development of stencils and pounces, experimenting with paint and various brushes, sponges and feathers. The pounces will be used to develop ornamental work in tromp l'oeil and in three dimensions. Basic painting textures will be practiced and then applied to the creating of painted brickwork, stone and marble.

This section of Stagecraft is designed to explore the special techniques and materials used in scenic construction. We start at the basic decisions of what materials meet our needs and move on to the technical design of scenic units. We explore and learn the basic knots and ropework that are in common theater usage. The final phase of this section, is devoted to the tools and techniques that we use in the Set Shop with an emphasis on safe tool usage.

(1) Materials

a) Lumber, standard dimensions (1x, 5/4x, 2x, widths)

1. #1 white pine - med price, straight , no knots, flat
2. #2 white pine - lightweight, strong, cheap, knots, moderate twist
3. poplar - med price, hardwood
4. fir/hemlock - strong, usually 2x, often wet, often twisted

b) Sheet

1. Plywood
   (1) AC
   (2) CDX
   (3) PTS
   (4) Apple ply
   (5) Luan
2. OSB
3. hardboard
4. particle board
5. homosote

c) Metal

1. Steel
2. Aluminum
3. Shapes
   (1) Flats
   (2) Angle
   (3) Tube
   (4) Pipe
   (5) Specialties

d) Plastic

1. Plexiglas
2. Delron
3. UHMW polyethylene
4. RP Screen
5. Dance Floor

e) Cloth

1. Muslin
2. Canvas
3. Duvetyn
4. Velour
5. Scrim

f) Hardware

1. Screws
2. Nails & Staples
3. Hinges
4. Angles and Brackets
5. Casters

(2) Scenic Elements

a) Flats

1. TV
2. Broadway

b) Platforms

1. Framed
2. Parallel
3. Stress Skin

(3) Knots

a) Bow Knot
b) Half Hitch
c) Square Knot
d) Clove Hitch
e) Bowline
f) Truckers hitch

(4) Tools

a) Hand Tools

1. Measuring
   (1) Tape Measure
   (2) Framing Square
   (3) Combo Square
   (4) Set Square or Bevel gauge
   (5) Chalk line
2. Cutting & Scraping
   (1) Handsaw
   (2) Back saw
   (3) Hack saw
   (4) Matte Knife
   (5) Chisel
   (6) Plane
   (7) Rasp & Files
3. Striking & Prying
   (1) Nail Hammer
   (2) Ball Peen Hammer
   (3) Mallet
   (4) Crow Bar
   (5) Flat Bar
4. Fastening
   (1) Screwdriver
   (2) Wrench
   (3) Stapler
   (4) C-clamps
   (5) Spring clamps
   (6) Pipe clamps

b) Power Tools

1. Stationary Tools
   (1) Table Saw
   (2) Radial Arm Saw
   (3) Panel Saw
   (4) Miter Saw
   (5) Band Saw
   (6) Drill Press
   (7) Belt/Disk Sander
2. Portable Tools
   (1) Circular Saw
   (2) Saber Saw
   (3) Power Plane
   (4) Belt Sander
   (5) Palm sanders
   (6) Drill
   (7) Screwdriver
   (8) Router

 c) Pneumatic Tool

1. Compressor & Hoses
2. Nail Gun
3. Structural Stapler
4. Finish Stapler

(5) Gizmo Fabrication

a) Operations

1. Rip
2. Crosscut
3. Miter
4. Profile Edge
5. Routed Edge
6. Sand
7. Staple
8. Screw

In the costume portion of this class, students are made familiar with basic shop terminology and construction skills. In our first class we talk about the importance of costume in a production and how a costume designer can influence and support an actor's performance. The second half of class is spent in the shop familiarizing students with the equipment; the industrial machines, the sergers, the industrial irons, and also in identifying fabric types. Students also take their own measurements. 

By the following class, students will have purchased fabric (in Chinatown), inexpensive scissors and a drawstring trouser pattern as per instructions listed in a handout. Students are encouraged to be as imaginative as possible in the design of their own individual trousers! Whimsy is encouraged! In all the following classes the students are taken through the process of cutting, stitching, fitting and finishing a pair of trousers for themselves. The construction process uses most of the equipment in the shop and may include hand sewing as well. No previous experience is necessary. Students who are experienced sewers can elect to construct a more difficult garment. All students finish the semester with a garment for themselves (that fits!) and a sense of the labor and skills involved in constructing a simple costume piece. In the costume portion of this class students are made familiar with basic shop terminology and construction skills.

Students are introduced to both Stage Management and Make-up by professionals from within the Boston theater Community. The make-up sessions begin with face mapping and continue through the application of basic make-up; development of age, character and fantasy make-up; and explore common injuries--bruises, scars and burns.

Stage Management is introduced as practiced in both professional and academic venues. Construction of a prompt book and clarity of cue notation is stressed as well as the vitally important organizational and "people" skills required of a good stage manager. Students will work with the Stage Management Manual (PDF - 1.3MB) developed by and used with the permission of alumna Teresa Hernandez.