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Donna Meester

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  • Creative Activity
  • Teaching
  • Service
  • Additional Support
  • Curriculum Vita

Teaching

Syllabi
TH 120 Principles of Stage Design
TH 430/530 Historic Costume
TH 433/533 Costume Design I
TH 435/535 Prof. Presentation
TH 436/536 Fabric Modification
TH 437/537 Drawing
TH 439/539 Adv.Stage Makeup
TH 635 Costume Design III
TH 639 Costume Design IV

Class Projects
Advanced Makeup
Fabric Modification
Independent Study--Millinery
Student Websites
Student Comments from Principles of Stage Design Group Projects

Student Success
Honors and Awards
Employment / Placement

TH 120  Principles of Design

Instructor:  Donna Meester
348-9032
235 Rowand-Johnson Hall
dmeester@as.ua.edu
MWF  11:00-11:50
Spring 2015


Required Textbook: An Introduction to Theatre Design, Stephen Di Benedetto;  ISBN:  978-0-415-54754-3

Course Description: This course will give the student a basic understanding and appreciation for the design process and technical production of theater and dance, with an emphasis on the collaboration of all design areas.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course 90% of enrolled students will be able to:
1)    demonstrate an understanding of collaboration when designing sets, lights, costumes or sound for the theatre
2)    design a hypothetical stage production

80% of enrolled students will be able to:
1)    do extensive and appropriate research as it applies to stage design
2)    present their designs in a creative, intelligent and artistic manner visually
3)    present their deigns in a creative, intelligent and artistic manner verbally

Attendance: Attendance is expected at all classes and mandatory on exam and presentation days. You will be allowed three absences total. Your fourth absence will result in the drop of your final grade by one full letter grade. There are no “excused” absences, plan accordingly.  Exceptions can be made in extreme cases with the instructor’s approval.  Three tardies (less than ten minutes late) count as one absence. If you are ten minutes late or more you will be marked absent. Each additional absence will result in additional 1/3 grade drop.

Cell Phones/Computers:  All cell phones must be turned off during class.  Twenty-five points will be deducted for each occurrence if your phone rings or you are caught texting.   You are allowed the use of your computer to take notes ONLY.  If you are caught using it in class for purposes other than class, your final grade will be deducted by 25 points for each occurrence.  The instructor reserves the right to remove a student from the class at her discretion if a student is found in violation of this policy (cell phone or laptop).

Late/Missed Work: Quizzes cannot be made up for any reason. If you are absent when a quiz is given, you will receive a “0” for that quiz grade, this includes absences or tardiness. Exams may or may not be made up at the discretion of the instructor based upon prior arrangements. Late papers will not be accepted.

Grading:
4 Exams (50 points each)                   200 pts.
Comprehensive Final Exam             100 pts.
Final Project                                      100 pts.
3 Play Critiques (25 pts. Each)            75 pts.
Class Participation/Quizzes               25 pts.

Total                                                    500 pts

A+ = 500-495;  A = 494-456;  A- = 455-450
B+ = 449-445;  B = 444-406;  B- = 405-400
C+ = 399-395;  C = 394-356;  C- = 355-350
D+ = 349-345;  D = 344-306;  D- = 305-300
F = 299>

The Comprehensive Final Exam is: Monday, April 27;  8:00am-10:30am

Production Analysis Papers: You are required to attend three of the four UA theater productions this semester: Eurydice, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, An Evening of One Act Plays, and/or 42nd Street. It is the responsibility of the student to acquire the tickets to these plays. Seating is limited and not guaranteed. It is recommended that you order your tickets in advance.  A 2-3 page paper (double spaced, 12 point font, no larger than 1” margins) for each play attended will be due the Wednesday following the close of the production.  The paper will analyze the technical elements of the production and the writer’s response to these aspects based upon the principles we have studied in class. Papers will be graded on clarity and depth of thought, use of correct terminology, and demonstration of knowledge about the subject matter.  Each paper is worth up to 25 points.

Final Project: The class will be divided into small groups to collaborate on the design of an assigned play. Grading will be based on design ideas, successful collaboration and participation (including peer evaluation), and presentation. A short one-page description of the process is due from each individual on the date of the presentation. Presentations will take place during the final week of classes.  Specific requirements for this assignment will be handed out when groups are assigned during the semester.

Extra Credit: You have the option of writing a fourth production analysis paper for up to 25 points.

Academic Misconduct: All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, misrepresentations, and abetting any of the above. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event that academic misconduct occurs. This policy is outlined in the student affairs handbook, which can be obtained from the Student Life Office in the Ferguson Center.

Disabilities: To request disability accommodations, please contact the Office of Disability Services (348-
4285). After initial arrangements are made with that office, contact your instructor.

Student Code of Conduct: Students are expected to behave in accordance with Code of Conduct as outlined in Section 4 Article 3. Any student found to have committed the acts of misconduct including but not limited to acts of dishonesty, disruption or obstruction of teaching, harassment, and/or attending class under the influence of alcohol, narcotic, or other controlled substance is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article V. As students engage in group projects and class discussions, consideration and respect should be shown for the ideas and opinions of others. Demeaning, belittling, mocking, intimidating, or otherwise derogatory speech or behavior towards another classmate will not be tolerated.

The following schedule is subject to change.  All changes will be announced at least one class prior to the change.  It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of such changes.

January    
7    W    Course Introduction
                  9    F    Group Project
                12    M    Chapter 1 – The Theatre Designer’s Job
                14    W    Chapter 1 – The Theatre Designer’s Job        (Last day to register or add. Last day to drop without a W)
                16    F    Chapter  1 – The Theatre Designer’s Job
                19    M    MLK Day – No Class
                21    W    Chapter 2 – Traditions of Stage Design
                23    F     Chapter 2 – Traditions of Stage Design
                26    M    Chapter 2 – Traditions of Stage Design
                28    W    Chapter 3 – The Vocabulary of Visual Thinking
                30     F    Chapter 3 – The Vocabulary of Visual Thinking
February
                  2    M    Chapter 3 – The Vocabulary of Visual Thinking
                  4    W    Chapter 8 – The Collaborative Process
                  6    F    Chapter 8 – The Collaborative Process
                  9    M    Chapter 8 – The Collaborative Process
                11    W    Exam #1
                13    F    Chapter 4 – The Artistry of the Set
                16    M    Chapter 4 – The Artistry of the Set
                18    W    Chapter 4 – The Artistry of the Set
                20    F     Chapter 4 – The Artistry of the Set
                23    M    Chapter 4 – The Artistry of the Set
                25    W    Discuss Eurydice/review                                       Eurydice Paper due
                27    F    Exam #2
March
                2    M    Chapter 5 – The Artistry of the Costume
                4    W    Chapter 5 – The Artistry of the Costume                Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike paper due
                6    F    TBA
                9    M    Chapter 5 – The Artistry of the Costume
               11    W   Chapter 5 – The Artistry of the Costume
               13    F    Exam # 3
               16    M   
Spring Break – No Class
               18    W    Spring Break – No Class
                20    F    Spring Break – No Class
                23    M    Discussion of Final Project                                    Last day to drop a course with a grade of "W"
                25    W   Chapter 6 – The Artistry of Light
                27    F    Chapter 6 – The Artistry of Light
                30    M   Chapter 7 – The Artistry of Sound
April        1     W    Chapter 7 – The Artistry of Sound
                3      F     Honors Day – No Class
                6      M    Career Choices
                8      W    Exam # 4
                10    F    Work in Class
                13    M    Work in Class
                15    W    Work in Class                                                        An Evening of One Act Plays paper due
                17    F     Group Presentations
                20    M    Group Presentations
                22    W    Group Presentations                                            42nd Street paper due
                24    F      Group Presentations
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