School of Arts and Sciences

Course Syllabus

THEA 266: Tech TA Costume

Kenn Wheeler               Kwheeler@eou.edu

Office: Loso Hall 104 C    Phone: 541 962-3318

Office hours: Mon., Tues. and Thurs. 10:00 – 11:00

Catalog description:

Demonstration of the basic working components of the costume designer including design history, working with patterns, hand, machine and serger sewing for the stage. Students will also practice basic construction techniques while building costumes for current productions.

Course requirements:

Students are required to learn and to demonstrate basic skills in pattern cutting, hand-sewing , machine and serger sewing while they construct costumes for the current production in the EOU Theatre Department They will be required to bring scissors and fabric to fabricate aprons and "goody bags" in order to undertake and understand clothing construction techniques. Each student will also be responsible for 20 hours (2 hrs per week) of LAB time making props and costumes for the production.

Text:        Various articles will be handed out during the term

Materials:  Scissors, 2 yards of cotton fabric, notebook for note keeping

Course Objectives:

1. Familiarity with the terminology within a costume shop

2. Opportunities for creative fabrication techniques

3. Collaboration with other shop technicians to make character-appropriate garment for the stage

4. Hands-on creative self-expression

 

Course Outcomes/ Major assignments:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Construct simple straight-stitch costumes.

2. Understand the process of taking the design to a realized costume.

3. Work with other students in a collaborative process.

4. Have a good, working knowledge of the theatrical process.

ASSIGNMENTS

Week #1

Jan. 06   M              Introduction and Discussion of Syllabus and Grading;

Jan. 08   W              Start Hand Sewing Project

Week #2

Jan. 13   M              Finish Hand Sewing Project

Jan. 15   W              Tour Claudsen’s/Discuss different fabrics and their uses.

Week #3

Jan. 20   M              Discuss the Costume Shop. The sewing machine. Start Goody Bags.

Jan. 22   W              Laying and cutting out a pattern. Basic costuming procedures. Finish Goody Bags.

Week #4

Jan. 27   M              Work on “Taming of the Shrew”

Jan. 29   W              Work on “Taming of the Shrew”

Week #5

Feb. 03  M              Work on “Taming of the Shrew”

Feb. 05  W              Work on “Taming of the Shrew”

Week #6

Feb. 10  M              Work on “Taming of the Shrew”

Feb. 12  W              Work on “Taming of the Shrew”

Week #7

Feb. 17  M              "Fashion Through the Ages" VIDEO #1 & #2 (Quiz #1 & #2)

Feb. 19  W              "Fashion Through the Ages" VIDEO #3 & #4 (Quiz #3 & #4)

Week #8

Feb. 24  M              The Apron

Feb. 26  W              The Apron

Week #9

Mar. 02  M              The Apron

Mar. 04  W              The Apron

Week #10

Mar. 09  M              Silk Painting

Mar. 11  W              Silk Painting

FINAL EXAMINATION: Thursday, March 18  1:00 – 3:00 pm

GRADING:       Costume History Quizzes                128 pts.

                            Hand Sewing Project                         72 pts.

                            Goody Bag Project                          100 pts.

                            Apron Project                                   100 pts.

                            Attendance                                        200 pts.

                            Practicum Hours                               200 pts.

                            Final Examination                             150 pts.

                                                               Total:              950 pts.

Final grades will be assigned using the highest number of points earned by any given student as the high grade ceiling. the grades will be determined in the following order:

                            95% of total points = A                70% of total points = C+

                            90% of total points = A-               65% of total points = C

                            85% of total points = B+              60% of total points = C-

                            80% of total points = B                 50% of total points = D

                            75% of total points = B-                below 50%............. = F

Disclaimer: Class schedule/assignments may be altered during the course of the term as

needed.

Means of assessment:

Students will be assessed through participation in class and in lessons designed to get students ready to work on costumes. Class projects undertaken in the 20 hours of lab time will be evaluated including work on the production, hand sewing, machine sewing and work with a serger. Attendance and participation in class is required.

Attendance/Lateness Policy:

Students are responsible for attending class every day. It is nearly impossible to make up a costume tech class due the heavy production schedule we have. If you must miss class for an important reason, please let me know in advance so I can let make sure your project is well underway. If I find you are missing classes on a regular basis, I will tell you it is in your best interest to drop the class. The class begins at 1:05 sharp. Please do not be late because it is important for you to be present when instructions and assignments are given each day.

Statement on 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 the Disability Services Program in Loso Hall 234. Telephone: 962-3081 by the second Monday of class.