Theater 360 - Scenic Design

Students will explore set/scenic design for live performance in a studio format. What is a performance space? We will investigate the idea of performance spaces where theatre can happen, as well as create some of our own. The main objective is to introduce the language, tools, and technical skills involved in the discipline of scenic design and to lay the foundation for further study while empowering students to actively engage as set designers in productions on campus after taking the course.

Open to students majoring or minoring in Theater. SPECIAL TOPIC: XANADU: A Case Study in Musical Theater
This course offers a unique opportunity to engage with the creation process of a musical production through the lens of Scenic Design. Theater Department's Spring production of Xanadu the musical will be our guiding muse as we explore the language, tools, and technical skills involved in the creation of a scenic design which supports magic, singing and dancing performers, a band, and roller skating! How does a set designer create the material world for a musical? Inspired by their interaction with the creators of this production, students of the course will create their own scenic designs for Xanadu: make them wild, colorful, and very 1980's! For those who want to engage in leadership roles related to scenic design in productions on campus, this is a great first step. Students will work their way through the different steps of the scenic design process from book analysis and visual research to model-building and drafting. In learning to communicate artistic ideas through technical drawings, students will also expand their understanding of digital technology by drafting in the Vectorworks software, an industry standard. No previous scenic design experience necessary.