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21T.423

Topics in Theater Arts

3-0-9 units. HASS-A · Undergraduate

Multidisciplinary seminar provides opportunity for study in performance theory and practice. Topics vary from term to term; may be taught by visiting faculty. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

January IAP 2008 · Theater Arts Topics - Suburbia

Directed practice in acting, production, or design on a sustained theater piece, either one-act or full length, from pre-rehearsal preparation to workshop production. Consult Theater Arts Office. Includes directed practice in stagecraft. Dramashop rehearses a production of Eric Bogosian's play "subUrbia" for presentation the first two weekends in February. Visiting artist, David R. Gammons, directs. Approximately 10 roles filled by auditions. Students can receive up to six credits for acting or technical positions. Schedule of rehearsals to be arranged, but actors should be available during the afternoon. Students must be available for performances in early February. This course is offered during the Independent Activities Period (IAP), which is a special 4-week term at MIT that runs from the first week of January until the end of the month.

Readings

Fall 2004 · Theater Arts Topics

Topics

  • Production Chosen
  • 22 Weeks to Opening 1st Design Meeting
  • 20 Weeks to Opening 2nd Design Meeting
  • 18 Weeks to Opening 3rd Design Meeting
  • 16 Weeks to Opening 4th Design Meeting - Presentation
  • 15 Weeks to Opening
  • 14 Weeks to Opening 1st Production Meeting
  • 14 Weeks to Opening
  • 13 Weeks to Opening
  • 11 Weeks to Opening 2nd Production Meeting
  • 11 Weeks to Opening
  • 10 Weeks to Opening
  • 8 Weeks to Opening 3rd Production Meeting
  • 4 Weeks to Opening
  • 4 Weeks to Opening 4th Production Meeting
  • 3 Weeks to Opening 5th Production Meeting
  • 2 Weeks to Opening 6th Production Meeting
  • 2 Weeks to Opening
  • 1 Week to Opening 7th Production Meeting
  • 6 Days before Opening
  • 5 Days before Opening
  • 4 Days before Opening
  • 3 Days before Opening
  • 2 Days before Opening
  • 1 Day before Opening
  • Opening
  • Performance Week 1
  • Performance Week 2

Readings

  • Carter, Paul. The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information . Louisville, Ky.: Broadway Press, 1994. ISBN: 9780911747393.
    Listed reading
  • Woodbridge, Patricia. Designer Drafting for the Entertainment World . Boston: Focal Press, 2000. ISBN: 9780240804248.
    Listed reading
  • Holloway, John. Illustrated Theatre Production Guide . Boston: Focal Press, 2002. ISBN: 9780240804934.
    Listed reading
  • Parker, W. Oren, R. Craig Wolf, and Dick Block. Scene Design and Stage Lighting . 8th ed. Belmont, Calif.: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2002. ISBN: 9780155061149.
    Listed reading
  • Arnold, Richard L. Scene Technology . 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1993. ISBN: 9780135010730.
    Listed reading
  • Burris-Meyer, Harold, and Edward Cyrus Cole. Scenery for the Theatre: The Organization, Processes, Materials, and Techniques Used to Set the Stage . Rev. ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 1971.
    Listed reading
  • Glerum, Jay O. Stage Rigging Handbook . 2nd ed. Carbondale, Ill.: Southern Illinois University Press, 1997. ISBN: 9780809317448.
    Listed reading
  • Sammler, Bronislaw J., and Don Harvey. Technical Design Solutions for Theatre: The Technical Brief Collection . Boston: Focal Press, 2002. ISBN: 9780240804903.
    Listed reading
  • ———. The Technical Brief Collection: Ten Years of Solutions to Recurring Problems in Technical Theatre . New Haven, Conn.: Dept. of Technical Design and Production, the Yale School of Drama/Repertory Theatre, Yale University, 1992.
    Listed reading
  • Gillette, J. Michael. Theatrical Design and Production: An Introduction to Scene Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup . 4th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1999. ISBN: 9780767411912.
    Listed reading
  • Essig, Linda. Lighting and the Design Idea . Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Publishing, 1996. ISBN: 9780155020696.
    Listed reading
  • Gillette, J. Michael. Designing with Light: An Introduction to Stage Lighting. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2002. ISBN: 9780767427333.
    Listed reading
  • Palmer, Richard H. The Lighting Art: The Aesthetics of Stage Lighting Design . Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1993. ISBN: 9780135010815.
    Listed reading
  • Reid, Francis. The Stage Lighting Handbook . 6th ed. New York: Theatre Arts Book, 2002. ISBN: 9780878301478.
    Listed reading
  • Shelley, Steven Louis. A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting . Boston: Focal Press, 1999. ISBN: 9780240803531.
    Listed reading
  • Hays, David. Light on the Subject . Rev. ed. New York: Limelight Editions, 2004. ISBN: 9780879101268.
    Listed reading
  • Bly, Mark. The Production Notebooks: Theatre in Process . 1st ed. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 1995. ISBN: 9781559361101.
    Listed reading
  • Mumm, Robert C. Photometrics Handbook . 2nd ed. New York: Broadway Press, 1997. ISBN: 9780911747379.
    Listed reading
  • Fraser, Neil, and Richard Attenborough. Stage Lighting Design: A Practical Design . UK, Crowood Press, 1999. ISBN: 9781861262486.
    Listed reading
  • Kaye, Deena, and James LeBrecht. Sound and Music for the Theatre: The Art and Technique of Design . 2nd ed. Boston: Focal Press, 1999. ISBN: 9780240803715.
    Listed reading
  • Leonard, John A. Theatre Sound . New York: Theatre Arts Book, 2001. ISBN: 9780878301164.
    Listed reading
  • White, Paul. Basic Live Sound . London: Sanctuary Publishing Ltd., 2000. ISBN: 9781860742712.
    Listed reading
  • Holkeboer, Katherine Strand. Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 . USA: Drama Publishers, 1993. ISBN: 9780896761254.
    Listed reading
  • Huaixiang, Tan. Character Costume Figure Drawing: Step-by-Step Drawing Methods for Theatre Costume Designers . Boston: Focal Press, 2004. ISBN: 9780240805344.
    Listed reading
  • Moore, Dorothy. Pattern Drafting and Dressmaking . New York: Golden Press, 1977. ISBN: 9780307033093.
    Listed reading
  • Smith, C. Ray, ed. The Theatre Crafts Book of Costumes . Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, 1973. ISBN: 9780878570164. (edited with an introduction)
    Listed reading

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2027-2028: Not offered Acad Year 2028-2029: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-A Can be repeated for credit.

Sources