Stage Management - Syllabus

[Terra Ishikawa]

Stage Management
Fall 2011
Instructor: Prof. Terra Ishikawa
Time: Tues/Thurs 11am-12pm
Location: Theater
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 2-4pm or by appointment
Office Location: Golisano
Email: [e-mail]

Description:

The purpose of this course is for you to learn specific aspects of the stage management process for a theatrical production. We will discuss the function of various members of the production team and how the stage manager’s interaction with each member of this team varies. We will talk about the process of rehearsing a show, from auditions to closing night. We will discuss the process involved for several of the design areas. Most importantly, the role of the stage manager as the hub of communication for a production will be examined and experienced.

Course Objectives:

• To foster an appreciation for the stage manager as facilitator, mediator, and master
  organizer of the production process
  
• To explore the communication process and the means for creating a productive and
  harmonious work environment
  
• To develop familiarity with union rules that apply to stage managers working in professional venues, e.g. Broadway, Small Professional Theater, Dinner Theater, Cabaret, etc
  
• To apply theory learned in the classroom to the production process by stage managing or assistant stage managing a University Theater production

Course Text:

• Kelly, Thomas A. Stage Management

Recommended Reading:

• Carnegie, Dale. How to Win Friends and Influence People
  
• Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
  
• Fazio, Larry. Stage Manager: The Professional Experience
  
• Ionazzi, Daniel A. The Stage Management Handbook
  
• Johnson, Spencer and Kenneth Blanchard. Who Moved My Cheese?
  
• Maccoy, Peter. Essentials of Stage Management
  
• Stern, Lawrence. Stage Management

How to Succeed:

• Read the materials assigned to you and complete all homework assigned by the instructor.
  
• Take Notes: While I will be handing out guides and write ups that does not mean that I will be handing you every bit of information that I will be discussing. Other material not handed out could show up on a test so please take notes.
  
• ATTEND EVERY CLASS: This is THE most important bit of information. If you do not attend class you may miss very important information. I may be more laid back with my ways of teaching but I do teach and there is alot of information given each class.

Course Requirements:

• Papers: From time to time there will be papers assigned to you. These can be simple write ups on how you would manage a situation to writing up your own situation and the tasks others would have. These will count for 30% of your final grade.
  
• Quizzes: From time to time there will be pop quizzes given on the material we have gone over in the class. Most of them will happen sometime after we have gone over two chapters in the text. These will count for 20% of your final grade.
  
• Participation: We will have several mock performances throughout the course of the semester. All students will be involved in some aspect and will be required to give feedback after each one. These will count for 10% of your final grade.
  
• Homeworks: Aside from the papers given you will be given homework after each class. It will be collected the following class day so I expect it to be done. This will count for 10% of your final grade.
  
• Final Exam: 30% of your final grade will be made up of this final exam. The exam will test you on everything you have learned throughout the course of the semester. Please do your best to be ready.

Class Policies:

• Students are encouraged to ask questions about things they may not understand or even with to debate. Please don't be afraid to speak your mind!
  
• No Cellphones or Electronics of any kind! [Laptops permitted to take notes but I will check to make sure you're not on the Internet]
  
• Be On Time! Lateness will not be tolerated so please be on time.
  
• Do Not Plagiarize! This WILL NOT be tolerated in any way, shape or form. If you are caught you will be given and automatic F and will not be permitted to return to class for the duration of the semester.
  
• No Cheating: If you are caught cheating you will be given an F on the test or quiz.

Extra Credit: Extra Credit assignments will be announced through the course of the semester so please keep your eyes and ears open.