Audition Process

The Theatre Technolgy and Design audition takes approximately two hours and has three components. Applicants should bring objects they have constructed to demonstrate their ability to build or do other handicrafts. The object may include drawings, sewn items, carpentry projects, or other crafts. If the actual objects are large, applicants can bring photographs. Be prepared to discuss their design and construction in detail.

The first 20 minutes of the audition are spent in an interview with the teacher and other rTheatre Tech students. Applicants spend the next 45 minutes performing an assigned series of hands-on-projects. In the final 45 minutes, the applicant has a reading, writing, and drawing assignment based on an assigned short play.

Course Description

This course follows a three year cycle that focusses on a different aspect of theater design and technology each year: 1) costume design  and construction; 2) lighting and sound design; 3) set design and construction.  In their fourth and final year, seniors will work on independent projects as well as class work. 

During the course of the year we will focus design assignments and projects within the main topic.  Classwork will include reading, analysing and designing plays.  The scripts will try to represent a broad historical and cultural range.

At the same time, however, all students will cover the basic skills needed to function in the theater:  carpentry, lighting, sewing etc.  Students will need to quickly learn new technical and organizational skills that they will apply to the department productions.

One day a week (Wednesday) is dedicated to drawing or painting, as those skills are crucial for communication in all aspects of theater design.

We have many opportunities to visit different theaters and shops in the Bay Area and meet practicing theater artists.  It is imperative that students attend these afternoon field trips.  They are most valuable.

Also we are invited to attend evening performances, which all students should try to attend.  There are many opportunities to be exposed to theater and performance while at SOTA.  They offer the best learning opportunities.

Theatre Design and Technology students are the production team for the SOTA performances.  They will have the opportunity to run lights or sound for music concerts, stage manage or design or work back stage for the bigger shows.  This will require lots of after school and evening work.  Students are expected to work as crew on at least one SOTA production.

Students graduating from this program are quite prepared to enter the work force at entry level or any college theater program.  They have a portfolio of art work and evidence of technical work to present to colleges or local theater companies.

In four years they will have surveyed many different positions in this branch of theater.  They will have had many site visits to different workplaces and met potential employers.

In the final year, classwork will include preparation of a resume and final portfolio review.

It is hoped that whether a student goes on in this field or not she/he will have developed problem solving and organizational skills, aesthetic valuing and analytical skills as well as an introduction to world theater literature.

Class Expectations

Each student must come to class on time (1:00 pm) and prepared.  This means having paper and pencil to take notes, and bringing any projects that are in progress. 

Each student must participate in all field trips. 

Students are expected to pass in assignments on time.  Assignments will be graded 5 percentage points lower for each day they are late. 

At the end of each semester students will present a portfolio of their work including sketches, designs, research, technical paperwork, etc. 

Students must keep a sketch book or portfolio of their drawings to document progress through the year.  This should include drawings done in class as well as outside class.  This sketch book must be presented in the portfolio review at the end of each semester.

All students must attend two SOTA performances each semester. 

Students must work as crew on at least one SOTA event each year. 

Each student must purchase for class one tape measure, no shorter than 16 feet and one 8 inch adjustable crescent wrench.  These tools will be marked with your name and kept in class or your locker. 

Students must bring in work clothes for performing messy jobs like painting.  Those clothes can be left in the paint room.  Students will not be excused from work even if they do not have appropriate attire. 

Students must be aware of security issues in the classroom and theater.  Students must take responsibility for securing tools and the theater equipment and facilities.  The instructor is to be notified if areas need to be locked.

Classroom Behavior

Disruptions in class will not be tolerated.  Disruptions include:

talking after a call for focus

unruly or unsafe behavior

refusal to follow directions of the instructor 

Students who cannot behave will be asked to leave the classroom for 10 minutes.  It is then their responsibility to recover what information has been missed during that time.  If a student is asked to leave the classroom a second time during the semester, their grade will drop one letter.  The grade will drop a letter each subsequent time a serious disruption occurs and the student is asked to leave.

There will be no walkmans or radios allowed in the classroom or theater without the instructor's permission.  This is a safety as well as a concentration concern.  Any headphones or walkmans used improperly will be confiscated for the remainder of the day. 

Students may not leave the classroom without permission of the instructor. 

Students may not use the phone without permission of the instructor. 

Students are expected to keep the shop/studio space clean at all times.  Students are responsible for the proper functioning of their work space.  Tools must be put away properly. 

Grading

Grades will be based on:

written assignments

presentation -- verbal skills are crucial in theater

attendance and tardiness

participation in class discussions and projects

ability to work with others -- theater, unlike any other art form, is very collaborative.

portfolio review

performance on production assignments

Grades drop 5% each day an assignment is late.  

Because grades are based heavily on  class participation, attendance is crucial. 

Tardiness affects grades:

3 tardies = 1/2 grade point

5 tardies = 1 grade point 

Cutting class will also result in a lower grade: 2 unexcused cuts = 1 point grade drop. 

Each day, all students receive a grade based on participation, clean-up and classroom behavior.  Students may ask to see these grades and monitor their progress. 

If your grade point drops due to cuts or poor classroom behavior, your parents will be notified. 

Your semester grade will be reduced one letter if you do not fulfill the requirement of seeing two SOTA productions a semester.  One half grade drop if you see only one show.