Course Syllabus
THEA 310: Stage Management
KENN WHEELER
Office: Loso Hall 104C
Phone: (541) 962-3318
Office Hours: M – Th, 2:00 – 3:00
Catalog Description – An introduction to the role of the stage manager in professional and most amateur theatre. Responsibilities of the stage manager in pre-production, rehearsal, performance and post-production situations will be discussed. The indispensability of the well-trained stage manager will be emphasized.
Course Requirements - This course will require that students attend lectures having read the material assigned and being willing to discuss the concepts. Students will need to take notes and then answer questions on exams aimed at testing their understanding of the discussions. The student will also be required to complete exercises designed to introduce them to the role of the stage manager in a production situation. Students will also be required to attend selected rehearsals of the EOU production of Arms and the Man and serve as an assistant to the stage manager while taking various responsibilities appropriate to their training to assist the stage manager. Students will also be required to attend Arms and the Man and Communicating Doors and to write a response paper for each production.
Text: Stage Management , 7 th edition, by Lawrence Stern
Materials - Note taking materials. They will also need to purchase tickets to theatrical productions at a price of $4.00 and $5.00 respectively.
Course Objectives
• Comprehension of the role of the stage manager in theatre.
• Understanding of the responsibilities of a stage manager in a theatrical production.
• Empathy for the difficulty of the role of stage manager.
• Respect for the position of stage manager.
Course Outcomes/Major Assignments
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to…
• Complete forms used by a stage manager.
• Read and analyze a play script from the stage manager’s point of view.
• Organize and manage a theatrical audition.
• Conduct an organized and effective theatrical rehearsal.
• Organize and effectively execute a technical rehearsal.
• Effectively call a performance of a theatrical production.
Course Calendar
WEEK #1 Introduction to the course, it’s requirements and objectives. Discussion of the role of the stage
manager in theatre in America. Exercises appropriate to the discussions.
WEEK #2 Discussion of the responsibilities of the stage manager in a pre-audition situation. Exercises appropriate to
the discussions.
WEEK #3 Discussion of the stage manager’s role in the audition process. Exercises appropriate to the discussions.
Oct. 14-16 & 21-23 @ 8:00 pm – EOU Theatre presents Communicating Doors , Schwarz Theatre
Tickets: $4.00
WEEK #4 Discussion of the stage manager’s role in the rehearsal process. Exercises appropriate to the discussions.
WEEK #5 Continued discussion of the stage manager’s role in the rehearsal process. Exercises appropriate to the
discussions. REVIEW FOR Communicating Doors DUE
WEEK #6 MID-TERM EXAMINATION
Begin discussions of the stage manager’s role during Technical rehearsals. Exercises appropriate to the
discussions. Nov. 11-13 @ 8:00 pm – EOU Theatre presents Arms and the Man, McKenzie
Theatre; Tickets: $4.00
WEEK #7 Continue discussions of the stage manager’s role during Technical rehearsals. Exercises appropriate
to the discussions.
WEEK #8 REVIEW FOR Arms and the Man DUE Discussions of the stage manager’s role during the performance run of a theatrical production. Exercises appropriate to the discussions.
WEEK #9 Discussion of the stage manager’s role during strike and post-production. Exercises appropriate to the
discussions.
WEEK #10 Review and Catch-up.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Monday, December 6, 10:00 – 12:00 pm
Disclaimer: Class schedule/assignments may be altered during the course of the term as needed.
Means of Assessment: Students understanding of the reading and classroom discussions will be assessed through a mid-term and final examination. Periodic assessment of student’s understanding of specific responsibilities of the stage manager will be assessed through exercises using newly learned principles. Comprehension of the success of a stage manager will be assessed by response papers to each of the Theatre department’s theatrical productions. Understanding of the indispensability of the stage manager will be assessed through rehearsal participation and observation.
Grading Method:
Attendance 200 pts. (10 pts. per class)
Plot Exercises 200 pts. (50 pts. each for costume, light, properties and sound plot)
Blocking Exercise 100 pts.
Mid-term Exam 200 pts.
Calling a show exercise 100 pts.
Final Exam 200 pts.
Production Reviews 200 pts. (100 pts. each)
Strike Attendance 100 pts.
TOTAL 1300 pts.
Grading Scale: 95% - 100% = A
91% - 95% = A-
87% - 91% = B+
83% - 87% = B
79% - 83% = B-
75% - 79% = C+
71% - 75% = C
67% - 71% = C-
63% - 67% = D+
60% - 63% = D
Below 60% = F
Attendance/Lateness Policy: Students are responsible for attending class every time that it is held. Absences will result in a loss of ten points. The only exception is mandatory university sponsored events and THEN, ONLY if I know in advance. Work due on a day that you miss will be accepted with a 10% deduction per each period it is late.
Statement of Academic Misconduct:
Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism or theft of an examination or supplies) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question. It might also require your being placed on probation or suspended from the university, or being expelled from the university – or a combination of these. (Please see Section II of the 2002-2003 Student handbook and Planning Calendar: Campus Citizenship (Academic), p. 32ff: Campus Citizenship (Behavior), p41ff.)
If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem and need reasonable accommodations, please contact Disability Services program in Loso Hall. Telephone: 962-3081.