Theatre Department Handbook 

                                                                        Revised Fall 2009

 

Wesleyan Handbooks

The Theatre Department Handbook addresses policies of importance to theatre majors and minors.  It includes information on the mission and history of the Department, its faculty and staff, academics, financial aid, production procedures, facilities, equipment, forms and other topics of interest.

 

The Theatre Department Handbook is a supplement to the following sources of information for Wesleyan Theatre Majors and Minors:

 

Texas Wesleyan University Academic Catalog, available online at

http://www.txwes.edu/registrar/academiccatalogs.htm

 

Texas Wesleyan Student Handbook, available at the Office of Student Life

 

Some material found in those two handbooks is duplicated here simply to help theatre students access information of particular relevance to their success.   Any deviation here from the information provided in the Academic Catalog or Student Handbook is entirely accidental.  Students are responsible for knowing the information as it is contained in the original source documents.

 

The Theatre Handbook can be found online at the Theatre Wesleyan website:

http://www.txwes.edu/theatrearts/theatrewesleyan/index.htm

 

Students are responsible for knowing the practices and policies outlined in the Handbook.  Should questions arise about content, students should speak with the Department Chairperson, Connie Whitt-Lambert, or the Handbook Editor, Jeanne Everton.  The faculty of Theatre Department has developed and compiled the Handbook’s contents and is the only authority on what is contained there.  Students are cautioned not to speculate on interpretation but to address their concerns to one of these faculty members.

 

The Handbook is a fluid document and will reflect changes in curriculum, production practice and policies that grow from the Department’s ongoing self-evaluation.  When changes are made to the Handbook, students, faculty and staff will be informed by announcements in Practicum or on the Call Board and through Texas Wesleyan email.

 
Download a PDF Printable Version 

Access Printable Forms

 

Hanbook Table of Contents

  

Part One:    Introduction to the Department of Theatre

 

Part Two:   Admissions, Financial Aid

  • Admissions
  • Financial Aid
    •               Theatre Department Scholarships
    •               Room Grants
    •               Other Financial Aid
    •               Renewing Departmental Awards
    •               Renewing University Awards
    •               Theatre Department Assistantships and Work Study

Part Three:  Academics

 

Part Four:  Facilities, Equipment and Materials

  • Facilities
    •           Sone Fine Arts Center
    •               The Sone Basement
    •               Classrooms
    •               Faculty Offices
    •               Scene Shop
    •               “Avenue B”
    •               Firestation
  • Access to Facilities
    •               Sone 
    •               Costume Shop
    •               Design Studio
    •               Scene Shop
    •               Avenue B Warehouse
    •               Firestation
  • Equipment and Materials
    •                Equipment in Theatre Department Office
    •                Computers 
    •                Printers
    •                Fax Machine
    •                Office Supplies
    •                 Projector
    •                Coffeemaker
    •                Refrigerator and Microwave
    •                Theatre Department Truck
  •  Borrowing Policies
  •  Use of Materials for Class Projects

 

Part Five:    General Information and Regulations

 

Part Six:  Additional Opportunities

 

Part Seven: Theatre Wesleyan Production Guidelines

  • Season Selection
  • Production Assignments
    •               Eligibility Standards for Production Assignments
  • Company Roster
  • Production Duties & Policies          
  • Producing    
    •            Producer
    •               Assistant Production Manager                          
  • Directing
    •            Faculty Director                          
    •               Guest Director
    •               Student Director
    •               Duties of the Director
    •               Student Assistant Director                          
  • Stage Management                           
    •               Production Stage Manager
    •               Assistant Stage Manager(s)
  • Designing and Technical Theatre

              Assistant Designers

  • Costume Department
    •               Costume Designer
    •               Student Costume Designer
    •             Assistant to the Cosume Designer
    •               Student Costume Shop Assistant          
    •               Costume Construction Crew
    •               Costume Running Crew Procedures
    •               Student Dresser
    •               Actors’ Responsibility for Costumes
    •               Costume Shop Rules and Procedures
  • Graphics and Publicity
    •               Graphic Designer  
  • Lighting Department
    •               Lighting Designer
    •               Student Lighting Designer
    •               Master Electrician
    •               Electrician
  • Makeup and Hair Department
    •              Makeup Designer
  • Properties Department
    •               Properties Designer
  • Scenic Department                           
    •               Scenic Designer
    •               Student Scenic Designer
  • Sound Department             
    •             Sound Designer
  • Technical Direction and Stage Crew
    •               Student Technical Director
    •               Stage Crew (Scenery and Props)
    •               Carpenters and Painters
  • Production Support Personnel
    •             Dramaturg
    •             Accent & Dialect Coach
    •            Choreographer, Movement Coach, Fight Director
  • Performing
    •               Actors
    •               For Auditions
    •               Rehearsal Period
    •               Technical & Dress Rehearsals and Performances
    •               After the Final Performance
  • Box Office & Front-of-House Operations
    •               Reservations Staff
    •               Box Office Personnel
  • Front of House         
    •               House Manager
      •                             1½ Hours prior to Curtain
      •                             1 Hour prior to Curtain
      •                             ½ Hour Prior to Curtain
      •                             5-minute warning
      •                             Curtain
      •                             Late Seating
      •                             During the performance
      •                             Intermission
      •                             Final Curtain     
    •               Ushers
      •                             Attire and Scheduling
      •                             Performance Procedures
      •                             1 Hour prior to Curtain
      •                             ½ Hour prior to Curtain
      •                             Curtain  
      •                              During the performance
      •                              Intermission
      •                              Final Curtain
  • Production Budgets and Financial Procedures
    •               Production Budget
    •               Ordering & Purchasing
    •               Purchasing Regulations
    •               Reimbursement Regulations
 

Appendix       

 

             

 

Part One:    Introduction to the Department of Theatre

 

As part of the larger Wesleyan community, the Department of Theatre strives to serve the University’s mission.

 

University Mission Statement

Texas Wesleyan University, founded in 1890 in Fort Worth, is a United Methodist institution with a tradition in the liberal arts and sciences with professional and career preparation. Our mission at Texas Wesleyan University is to develop students to their full potential as individuals and as members of the world community. The University is committed to the principles that each student deserves personal attention and that all members of the academic community must have freedom to pursue independent thought and to exercise intellectual curiosity. The University actively seeks and employs faculty and staff with commitment and dedication to teaching, inspiring and serving students. Texas Wesleyan University recognizes its responsibility to the community by providing leadership and talent through programs that enable and enrich society.

 

The University endeavors to create a learning environment where each student is provided an opportunity to pursue individual excellence, to think clearly and creatively, to communicate effectively, and to develop spiritual sensitivity, with a commitment to moral discrimination and action, and with a sense of civic responsibility. Texas Wesleyan University strives to develop informed, responsible, and articulate citizens.

 

Department of Theatre Mission Statement

The Department of Theatre at Texas Wesleyan University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, which is set within the framework of a liberal arts education.  The program is designed for students seeking pre-professional training in preparation for graduate study and/or careers in the theatre and related professions.  The Department strives to give the student a balanced education, which is both intellectual and artistic and views theatre from the standpoint of a profession. 

 

The program is designed to:

--Enhance, support and encourage a community of students, artists and scholars interacting and creating      together in an environment which fosters the study and production of theatre, thereby creating and              training professionals in the arts and providing education in the arts for students throughout the               University

--Provide the student with a clear understanding of the art of theatre

--Demonstrate the cultural integration of a number of disciplines

--Prepare the student to be a creative member of society

 

Philosophy of Theatre Education

The faculty of Wesleyan’s Theatre Department takes great pride in its history as educators, scholars and artists.  Our students study the history, philosophy and practice of theatre and produce plays and musicals as participants in one of the only theatre companies in North Texas celebrating more than fifty-five years of production.

 

The program is structured to provide Students with a comprehensive approach to numerous aspects of theatre.  Specific concentrations are set up within the areas of design/technical theatre, directing, performance, and playwriting.  However, provisions are made to accommodate students who desire a more general education in theatre, particularly for those who plan to teach.  A fundamental tenet of the Department’s educational philosophy is the correlation of classroom and production programs wherein the production program becomes the laboratory for the skills learned in the classroom.

 

Each Wesleyan theatre student deserves individual attention and opportunities to work in collaboration with a faculty of professionals in the Department’s production program, known as Theatre Wesleyan.

 

Faculty advisors focus on students as individuals and help them create degree plans best suited to their unique educational and professional goals.

 

The faculty has affiliations with Actors Equity, The Dramatists Guild, and USITT.  Each full-time and adjunct faculty member works professionally in theatre and brings that experience to the classroom.

 

Each student has an equal opportunity to audition, perform, design, build, and participate in every aspect of Theatre Wesleyan.  In fact, it’s critical to our success.

 

The faculty encourages students to develop professional contacts while they are pursuing their degrees. 

Our professional network is vast, and we regularly schedule workshops and master classes with other experts, including actors, casting agents, playwrights and designers.

 

The Department occasionally mounts productions in outside theatres.

 

Internship opportunities enable our current students to establish working relationships before graduation with local theatres and professional organizations.

 

Our alumni can be found working on Broadway as performers & producers, in films and television as actors and art directors, on area stages as award winning performers, playwrights and designers, and as dedicated educators all over the area. 

 

The Department is committed to maintaining strong professional relationships with Theatre alumni and makes every reasonable effort to assist graduates in their pursuit of graduate study and professional work.

 

Because we rely on students to contribute to the ongoing success of the Department’s programs, the faculty routinely asks students to evaluate their experiences, both in the classroom and in the production program.  Student suggestions are invited, carefully considered and have resulted in a number of innovations in the program.

 

Interested, qualified students have the opportunity to design and direct in the production program, and the faculty supports other projects, such as readings of student-written plays, student-directed plays or scenes and occasional special student-generated projects. 

 

History of Productions

An annotated list of Theatre Wesleyan Productions can be found on the Department’s website at this link:

 

 http://www.txwes.edu/theatrearts/theatrewesleyan/currentproductions.htm            

 

Department Contact Information

Department of Theatre

Texas Wesleyan University

1201 Wesleyan Street

Fort Worth, TX  76105

Telephone:  817-531-5867

 

Campus Map and Classrooms

A map of Wesleyan’s Historical Campus can be found in the Academic Catalog and online at:

http://web3.txwes.edu/aboutus/campusmap.htm

 

The majority of Theatre classes are held in these buildings:

--Sone Fine Arts Center, Binkley at Avenue E (#18 on the map)

--Dan Waggoner Annex, North of the Sone Fine Arts Center (#17 on the map)

--Scene Shop, (new building to be completed early 2009)

 

Faculty and Staff

 

Brynn Bristol

Designer and Instructor of Theatre

Office:                   Dan Waggoner Annex

Office Phone:      

Email:                   bbristol@txwes.edu

 

Brynn Bristol is the Costume Shop Manager and Instructor of Theatre.  She received her B.A. from North Texas State University and her M.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  Prior to joining the Wesleyan faculty, Brynn worked as a freelance artist. Her work included directing, set designing, and scenic artist for various theatres in the Metroplex and The Fort Worth Museum Of Science and History.  From 1986 to 1995 she served as the Assistant Managing Director of Fort Worth Theatre and as Managing Director from 1995 to 1999.  At FWT she was resident director, set designer, scenic artist, development director and actress.   In addition to her work at FWT she has worked in various capacities at Casa Manana, Stage West, Jubilee Theatre, Backdoor Theatre, Gaslight Dinner Theatres and the Granbury Opera House.

 

Brynn’s academic work includes teaching Introduction to Theatre, Enjoyment of Drama, Stagecraft, Scene Painting, Set and Costume Design, Costume Construction and Tech I and II.  She has taught at Midwestern State University, Tarrant County College NE and Texas Woman’s University.  She has also conducted workshops for various universities and organizations.

                           

 

Joe Brown                                                                     

Professor of Theatre and Speech                                          

Director of Freshman Studies                  

Office:                  

Office Phone:      

Cell phone:          817 313 099

Email:                   jbrown@txwes.edu

                            joeabrown@sbcglobal.net

 

Joe Allen Brown is  Professor  of  Theatre  Arts  and  both  past  Chair  of  Theatre and Dean  of  Fine  Arts  at  Texas  Wesleyan  University.   A Phi Beta  Kappa honors graduate  with  a B.A. in Theatre  and  Speech  from  the  University  of  Arkansas,  Joe  also  has  an  M.F.A.  in  Theatre  Design  from  Southern  Methodist  University.    Fall of 2008 marks Joe’s 31st   year  at  Texas  Wesleyan  where  he  has received both faculty and student awards  for  excellence  in  teaching  and  also recognition and awards  for  his  service  to  the  University  through  his  community  involvement  in  theatre  arts,  A.I.D.S. education and  outreach  and  also  animal  rescue  and  rehabilitation.   Joe is a past  recipient  of  the Live  Theatre League  of  Tarrant  County’s  Lifetime Achievement  Award  for  his  work  with  the theatres  in  Fort  Worth and Tarrant County.

 

Brown is the Past  President  of  the  Live  Theatre  League of Tarrant County just having served four consecutive terms and  was one of  the  lead  judges  for  Casa  Manana’s  Betty  Buckley  High  School  Musical  Theatre  Awards for five consecutive years.  He has also adjudicated for the state theatre competition of  the  Texas  Non-Profit  Theatres.  Joe is a past regional  Design Chair  for  the  American  College  Theatre  Festival  and  has  also  designed  and  directed  for  area  theatres  such  as  Jubilee Theatre,  Fort  Worth  Theatre,  Circle  Theatre,  Stage West,  Onstage  Theatre and Artisan Theatre. He has been a U.I.L. One Act Play Critic Judge for 23 years.

 

Last academic year, Brown directed and designed Texas Wesleyan’s production of The Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life in collaboration with Artisan Center Theatre.  In addition to directing and designing Driving Miss Daisy at Artisan last spring, he was then involved as part of a community effort of arts organizations and various theatres in the More Life project: The Art and Science of AIDS; a collaborative effort with Fort Worth Opera, AIDS Outreach Center, AIDS Resources of Rural Texas, Samaritan House and Tarrant County AIDS Interfaith Network.  For that project he also directed Lonely Planet for Amphibian Theatre.

 

Along with being involved in the theatre community of the Metroplex, Professor Brown is also the principle faculty and coordinator of the GST 1111 courses for freshmen and the senior member of the Theatre Department’s faculty. He is the sponsor for the Wesleyan Toastmasters speaking organization, Wesleyan’s GSA:  Gay Straight Alliance, which is a diversity group for Gays and Lesbians and people that support Human Rights;  and co-sponsors Gamma Sigma Sigma – Wesleyan’s Women’s  Service  Sorority.

 

 

Elizabeth King Dubberly

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Studio:                  Sone Fine Arts Center

Email:                   edubberly@txwes.edu

 

Elizabeth King Dubberly, soprano, joined the Texas Wesleyan University theatre faculty in 2007.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in German from Southern Connecticut State University and a master’s degree in voice from the University of Texas at Austin.  Ms. Dubberly has performed with Opera Carolina, Opera Carolina Theatre, Dorian Opera Theatre, the Knoxville Opera Company, Chattanooga Opera, Amarillo Opera, Pensacola Opera, American Bel Canto Opera, and Cartersville Opera.  Some of her roles include Susanna, Pamina, Zerlina, Despina, Gilda, Violetta, Norina, Mme. Silberklang, Gretel, Cio-Cio San, and Mary Warren.

 

Critics have reviewed her performances in the following terms: “beautiful sound!” and “vocal standout” (Charlotte Observer); “emotional power” (Opera News); “outstanding soprano...voice like a clear mountain stream . . . exquisite control” (Knoxville News-Sentinel); “delightful soprano with a rich, clear voice and considerable acting skills” (Amarillo Globe-News).

 

As an oratorio and concert soloist, Ms. Dubberly has performed such works as Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C and Choral Fantasy, Mozart’s Requiem as well as the Missa brevis and Exsultate, jubilate, Schubert’s Mass in G and Mass in Bb, Bizet’s Messe solennelle de Sainte Cecile, and Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Psalm 42.  She has given numerous recitals and master classes throughout the United States as well as in Canada and South America.  Recently, she and husband, Stephen Dubberly, presented a lecture-recital at the Music Teachers National Association national convention entitled Dangerous Liaisons: Singer-Pianist Partnerships.  World premieres include the title role in Dan Welcher’s opera Della’s Gift, Juliana Hall’s song cycle Después de pasar in Montevideo, Uruguay, Stephen Dubberly’s KinderSongs at the University of Alberta and his Three Hymns for Voice, Oboe, and Piano at UNT, and a work by Allen Johnson for soprano and string quartet based on The Diary of Anne Frank for the Holocaust Conference at the University of Tennessee.

 

Ms. Dubberly has been named in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2005/2006, and in 1997 she received recognition as Outstanding Music Teacher by the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.  She has taught voice at the University of North Texas, the University of Tennessee, Pellissippi State Technical Community College, and Davidson College.  Ms. Dubberly is the founder and artistic director of Totally Vocal!, a workshop for young singers.  She is also the creator of Beyond the Classroom, an interactive collaboration with high school choral groups exploring opera.  She served as co-director of the Knoxville Opera Company’s Education and Outreach program for five years.  Ms. Dubberly has been stage director for UNT Opera Theatre’s Summer Opera Workshop since 2001, staging productions of Così fan tutte, The Magic Flute, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, Cendrillon, and The Marriage of Figaro.  In 2004, Ms. Dubberly conducted master classes and served as guest director for the Coro Municipal Voces Queretanas in Querétaro, Mexico in excerpts from La traviata.  Ms. Dubberly is also featured as a performer in the 2005 publication of Lois Alba’s Vocal Rescue: Rediscover the Beauty, Power, and Freedom in Your Singing.

 

 

Jeanne Everton

Associate Professor of Theatre

Director of Acting & Directing Studies

Coordinator of Integrated Arts Core

Office:                   Dan Waggoner Annex #103

Office Phone:       817-531-6572

Email:                   jeverton@txwes.edu

 

Having earned a B.A. in Speech and Drama from Trinity University and an M.A. in Drama from Texas Woman's University, Jeanne has undertaken additional study at Indiana University--Bloomington, Pennsylvania State University, Texas Tech University and with a variety of theatre, film and television professionals including Tom Babson, Tony Barr, Squire Fridell, Dennis Gallegos, and Catherine Fitzmaurice. She has taught acting and directing at colleges and universities for more than twenty-five years, the last nine at Wesleyan.

 

The Dallas Observer named Jeanne the Best Stage Actress in Dallas for her performance in George and Shaherazade, sad, sad, sad and she earned The Dallas Theatre League’s Leon Rabin Award nomination for her work in A Delicate Balance.  Other professional honors include being named multiple times to Who's Who Among Teachers in American Colleges and Universities and Who's Who Among American Women.

 

Among her performance credits, Jeanne’s favorite roles include Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Sarah in The Norman Conquests, Dorothea in Eleemosynary, Arkadina in The Seagull, Angustius in The House of Bernarda Alba, Elizabeth I in Mary Stuart, Catherine in And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, Simonne in Marat/Sade and Maggie in Dancing at Lughnasa,  a production directed by her Wesleyan colleague Dwight Sandell.  She has directed more than forty plays and musicals and particularly enjoyed staging Agnes of God, Assassins, The Three Sisters, Joe Egg an Robert Rodriguez’s opera Suor Isabella.

 

Having worked professionally for nearly 40 years as an actor, director, dramaturg, designer, talent agent, casting director and producer, Jeanne brings a wide variety of experience to the classroom.   She teaches on-camera acting for film and television, Meisner Method acting classes, and entrepreneurship for performers at S.T.A.G.E. in Dallas and throughout the country.

 

Jeanne records for Reading and Radio Resource, a Dallas agency providing alternatives to reading for those who are visually or physically disabled and/or learning differenced, and she broadcasts a weekly program for NTRB, North Texas Radio for the Blind.  In the fall of 2008, she will publish an eBook titled The Beginner’s Guide to Acting in Commercials, the first volume of the series, Actors, Inc: The Art, Craft and Business of Acting.

 

 

Erica Maroney

Assistant Production Manager, Box Office Coordinator

Office:                   Dan Waggonr Annex #100

Office Phone        817-531-5867

Email:                   emaroney@txwes.edu

 

In addition to her other duties, Erica serves as Graphic and Web Designer for the Theatre Department.  She also serves as a mentor for student graphic and publicity designers for Theatre Wesleyan productions and Departmental publicity. Prior to joining Wesleyan’s staff Erica worked on- and off-stage at local theatres in the DFW metroplex including Dallas Theatre Center (Performer in Center Stage Gala and House Manager for Down a Long Road), Theatre Britain (Sarah in The Day After the Fair, Properties Runner for No Sex Please, We're British;  Light Board Operator for Communicating Doors; and Stage Manager for The Frog Prince), Bass Hall (Dresser for touring productions), Casa Manana (Stitcher and Dresser) and Theatre Three (Becky in Sly Fox and Hagga in Thirteen Clocks)  where she also served as a production intern. Erica is an alumna of Theatre Wesleyan and holds a B.A. in Theatre Performance.

 

 

Dwight Sandell

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Phone Messages:            817-531-5867

 

Dwight Sandell joined Actors' Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage managers, over twenty years ago, and has since worked as an actor and/or stage manager at most of the DFW regional theatres, including:  Casa Manana, Dallas Theater Center, Stage West, Dallas Children's Theater, Ft. Worth Shakespeare in the Park, Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, Circle Theatre, Theatre Three, Lyric Stage, Granbury Opera House, Undermain Theatre, Addison Centre Theatre, Ft. Worth Opera, Pegasus Theatre, Sage & Silo Theatre, Dallas Repertory Theatre, New Arts Theatre, Plaza Theatre, and Theatre of All Possibilities.  He has also toured nationally in ten productions as an actor, company manager, or production coordinator.  Some of his favorite roles have been :  Alan in Equus (Best Actor award), Simon in Our Town (Best Featured Actor award), Calabazas in A House with Two Doors is Difficult to Guard (Best Supporting Actor award), Sipos in She Loves Me (Leon Rabin award), Horst in Bent, Bosie in Gross Indecency, and Arles/Vera/Stanley/Charlene/Didi/Petey, and others in Greater Tuna.  After studying at the Institute of European Studies in Vienna, and Upper Midwest Association for Intercultural Education in Iran, he received a B.A. degree in Theatre, magna cum laude, from Gustavus Adolphus College.  He received an M.A. in Drama from Texas Woman's University.

  

 

Bryan Stevenson

Assistant Professor of Theatre

Designer and Technical Director

Office:                  

Office Phone:      

Email:                   bstevenson@txwes.edu

 

Bryan holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from Texas Wesleyan University and an M.F.A. in Design from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He has designed at many local theatre companies including:  Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park, Stage West, Jubilee, and Circle.  Nationally Bryan designs for the Boy Scouts of America National Conferences and Shows.  Bryan is an active participant in the United Institute of Theatre Technology, where he has served on panels on lighting and scenic design.   He is also a member Stagehands Union, IATSE local 126.

 

 

Connie Whitt-Lambert

Professor and Chair of Theatre

Director of Playwriting Program

Office:                   Dan Waggoner Annex #101

Office Phone:       817-531-5866

Email:                   cwhittlambert@txwes.edu

 

Connie received her Master’s Degree in Playwriting & Directing from Texas Woman’s University and her BA in Theatre & English with teaching certification from Trinity University in San Antonio where she studied with Paul Baker.  She is the author of more than a dozen plays, produced at both local and national venues. Locally her work has been seen on the stages of Circle Theatre, Stage West, The Main Street Arts Festival, Six Flags, Theatre Wesleyan, Main Street Theatre, The Scott Theatre, Gaslight Dinner Theatre, and local schools.   Nationally her work has been produced by theatres and universities from New Jersey to Oklahoma.  Connie's script Second Coming was presented by the Nebraska Repertory Theatre at Edward Albee’s Great Plains Theatre Conference in 2006; her play, Ice was presented at the Conference in 2007.   Her western homage to Shakespeare, Boot Lick has been produced more than a dozen times by theatres across Texas and Georgia; her play Wonderful to be Wicked has been produced more than 20 times in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, New Jersey and Florida.  In July 2005 Fort Worth's Rose Marine Theatre staged her play A Modern Adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Most recently, The Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life was produced by Theatre Wesleyan on the Artisan Center Theater stage in Hurst. 

 

Connie has directed more than 50 productions; locally she worked with Circle Theatre for more than a decade.  Her directing credits at Theatre Wesleyan include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, The Menaechmus Twins, Anton in Show Business, Frogs: The Road to Hades, and Passage Through the Heart, as well as the original student-written plays Blues Man, Far From the Tree, A Night at the Theatre/Theater, and Ballerinas, Choose Your Weapons.  This year she’ll direct The Woman in Black, a ghost tale for Theatre Wesleyan.   

 

Connie is also the creator and producer of The Wesleyan Playmarket, a venue for the work of Wesleyan playwrights.  In May, 2009 she directed a reading of the Playmarket 2009 winner, Certificate of Death at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in New York.  She also directed a staged reading of the 2007 Playmarket winner The Body of Eva Peron at 37 ARTS in New York.   

 

She has received multiple awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for both playwriting and directing as well as the Kennedy Center Bronze Medallion of Excellence for her work with student playwrights in the five-state Region 6 area.  In 2008-2009, Connie served as a member of the selection panel for the Kennedy Center Teaching Artist Grant National Committee and regularly serves as the judge for the Tarrant County high school playwriting competition. 

 

While on sabbatical during the Spring 2010 semester, she plans to spend much of that time traveling and writing.  During her sabbatical in the spring semester of 2002, Connie traveled the country as the Kennedy Center's playwriting representative on the American College Theatre Festival's National Selection Team. Prior to her election to the Team, Connie served as the Playwriting Chair for the KCACTF five-state region where she pioneered the Ten Minute Play Festival.  Connie has been a UIL One Act Play Judge, the judge for the Live Theatre League's High School Playwriting competition, and the playwriting mentor for the Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park student playwrights.  She is a member of the Dramatists Guild, Alpha Psi Omega and Kappa Delta Pi.

 

                                                                               

Other Theatre Department Phone Numbers

All these four-digit extension numbers can be dialed from campus telephones.  When dialing from off-campus or on a personal cell phone, the appropriate prefix is 817-531-xxxx.

 

              Arts & Sciences               4900

              Avenue B                          7588      

              Box Office                         4211

              Cashier’s Office               4456

              Costume Shop                 7533

              Facilities                           4454

              Library                               4800

              Nurse                                 4948

              Registrar                           4414

              Campus Security             4911 or x4290

              Campus Switchboard      4444      

 

 

 

Part Two:   Admissions, Financial Aid

 

Admissions

Admission to the Department as a theatre major or minor requires an audition, interview and/or presentation of portfolio.  Transcripts and letters of reference are also required for students requesting entrance as theatre majors.  No student will be accepted into the Theatre Department until after he or she is admitted by the University.

Financial Aid

 

Theatre Department Scholarships

The Theatre Department’s scholarships are awarded to students who meet academic and performance standards determined by the Department’s faculty as well as criteria set by the Office of Financial Aid.  No Theatre majors will be awarded a Theatre Scholarship until they have been admitted by the University, passed an audition/interview/portfolio review with the theatre faculty, completed the FAFSA and been approved by the Office of Financial Aid.  Information for  FAFSA can be found at this website:

< http://www.fafsa.ed.gov >

 

Room Grants

The Department awards a limited number of room grants, which are up for renewal each academic year.  The room grant covers the cost of one-half of a double room in a dormitory designated by the Office of Student Life.  The University meal plan is not included in the room grant and is the responsibility of the individual student. 

 

Any theatre major may apply for consideration for one of these grants.  The theatre faculty determines the room grant awards based on each student’s need, academic standing and participation in the Department’s programs. No student should assume his or her room grant will be renewed.  Each student must re-apply each year for consideration.

 

Other Financial Aid

Most Texas Wesleyan University students qualify for grants and subsidized loans.  Many theatre majors are also on academic scholarships given by the University. In rare cases a student will be deemed “not stackable,” or ineligible for a Theatre Scholarship due to admission restrictions.  In every case, the Office of Financial Aid awards students the maximum financial assistance by combining grants, loans and scholarships.

 

It is expected that each new theatre major will adhere to the guidelines set by the Office of Financial Aid and will complete any required paperwork by the requested deadlines.  More information on University scholarships, grants and loans can be found on the following web page:

< http://www.txwes.edu/financialaid/index.htm >  

 

Renewing Departmental Awards

Each student is required to re-apply annually for renewal of Theatre Department aid.  The applications to renew Theatre Scholarships, Room Grants and Assistantships are available year round under the Forms section of this Handbook’s Appendix.

 

Renewing University Awards

University awards may require renewal or reactivation.  Students should check with the Office of Financial Aid for information specific to their University academic awards.

 

Theatre Department Assistantships and Work Study

Students approved for federally subsidized Work Study may find employment on the Wesleyan campus, beginning in the freshman year.  After the freshman year, The Theatre Department’s best students may qualify to increase their Departmental aid through their energetic and dedicated contributions to our programs.  These  additional funds, some from the Federal Work Study Program, may become available in the form of production Assistantships if students meet the requirements.  More information on Assistantships can be found in the Appendix of this Handbook.

 

 

 

Part Three:  Academics

 

Advising

All Wesleyan freshmen are advised for registration and academic progress by personnel in the Academic Resource Center (ARC) until they have completed 24 hours of college credit, either at Wesleyan or in combination with transfer and advanced placement hours.   Freshman Theatre Majors are expected to consult a Theatre Department faculty member before going to the ARC for the scheduling of classes.  This insures that first year Students are enrolled in each of the recommended courses within the Theatre degree plan.   An announcement  will be made in Practicum prior to the beginning of the advising period to inform freshman of which Theatre faculty member they should see.

 

Students who have completed 24 or more hours of college credit will be assigned an academic advisor from the Theatre faculty, typically the individual who heads the student’s emphasis area.  This faculty advisor will counsel the student regarding course selection, degree plans, evaluations, and other matters pertaining to the Student’s academic progress in all course work and production work.  

 

Students are warned never to base program decisions on hearsay or rumors. Changes in the Theatre program and curricula evolve with the Department’s ongoing critical self-evaluations; your advisor can keep you informed of such changes.

 

Scheduling Classes

Every fall and spring semester, students will be informed in Practicum of the faculty’s posted appointments for the purpose of advising.   Students are expected to sign up for an advising appointment and, before they come to the advising session, should review their degree requirements and the schedule of upcoming classes, posted on the Wesleyan Website at RamLink, and develop a tentative schedule for discussion with the advisor.

 

Degree Plan

Each student is responsible for monitoring his or her degree plan through the “Evaluate Program” link on RamLink.  While the Theatre faculty advisor will assist each student in the process of meeting degree requirements, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility, and the student’s alone, to understand the degree requirements for specific courses, numbers of completed hours, numbers of upper-division hours and grades.

 

Degree Requirements

 

General Education Curriculum (the GEC)

The GEC is the basic liberal arts curriculum required for all B.A. degrees at Texas Wesleyan.   The GEC is structured to provide students with Language, Analytic, Cultural and Social Literacies. Students transferring to Wesleyan with an A.A. degree must meet any GEC requirement that was not met at the student’s previous institution, typically courses in Religion and Humanities.

 

General Education Curriculum Requirements for the B.A.

 

Note:  The second digit of each course number represents the number of credit hours assigned to the course.

 

Language Literacy....................................................................................        12 hours

English ............................................................................. 9 hrs.

              ENG 1301

              ENG 1302

              one of the following courses:

                            ENG 2301, ENG 2302, ENG 2311,

                            ENG 2312, ENG 2321, or ENG 2322

Interdisciplinary Integrative Course..................................                3 hrs.

              choose one course:

              HUM 2340

              HUM 2341

Analytic Literacy .....................................................................................          10-11 hours

Choose one option:

              Option #1: two math / one science ………………    10 hours

              Option #2: one math / two sciences …………….    11 hours

Acceptable Courses:

Mathematics:

              MAT 1302 or MAT 1304 or   

              or any math course with

              MAT 1302 or higher

              as a prerequisite (excluding MAT 1304)

              Note: MAT 1304 is acceptable for the

                            B.A. in Theatre.

Science:

Choose 1 or 2 of the following courses with

              accompanying lab

              BIO 1321 and 1121,

              BIO 1322, and 1122,

              BIO 1340 and 1140,

              BIO 1341and 1141,

              CHE 1315 and 1115,

              CHE 1316 and 1116,

              GEO 1401, GEO 1402,

              NSC 1403, NSC 1404, NSC 1405, NSC 1406,

              NSC 1407, NSC 1408, NSC 1409, NSC 1410,

              NSC 1412, NSC 2401, NSC 2402,

              PHY 1401, PHY 1402

 

Cultural Literacy ......................................................................................         12 hours

History…………………………………………………………    3 hrs.

              HIS 2322

Choose 3 hours from one of the following: ………………. 3hrs.

              ART, FAR, MUS, or THA

Choose 3 hours from one of the following: ………………. 3 hrs.

              REL 1311, REL 1312, REL 1313, REL 1321

Choose 3 hours from one of the following: ………………. 3 hrs.

              ART, FAR, MUS, THA,

              HIS 2321, HIS 2301, HIS 2303,

              PHI 2301, PHI 2321,

              REL 1311, REL 1312, REL 1313, or REL 1321

 

Social Literacy ..........................................................................................       11 hours

KIN 1220…………………………………………………..         2 hrs.

Choose any 3 of the following…………………………..         9 hrs.

              courses with at least two different

              academic areas represented:

              BUA 1301, ECO 2305,

              POL 2311, PSY 1301,

              SOC 2301, SOC 1302, SOC 2302

TOTAL Hours for GEC.......................................................................................................         44-46

 

 

Theatre Major

Students majoring in Theatre earn the B.A. in Theatre by completing the GEC and the following required courses for the Major, which include Required Related courses in Humanities and Foreign Language. The large number of required elective hours provides a degree of flexibility so that students may develop one or more areas of emphasis within the major.  Theatre Faculty advisors will assist students in choosing elective courses.

General Education Courses ……………………………………………………………………      45-46 Hrs.

 

Required Related Courses …………………………………………………      27-33 hours

              Foreign Language (in a single language) ………      6 hrs.

              Humanities........................................................... 3 hrs.

                            HUM 2340 The Human Experience I*

                            or

                            HUM 2341 The Human Prospect I*

                            Note: The specific course will be the one not taken

                             to fulfill the GEC requirement.

              Major electives …………………………………….     18-24 hrs.

                            18-24 hours of Theatre, Art, or Music        

                            courses or courses in other disciplines   

                            as approved by student’s advisor.             

Major Requirements aka “Major Core” …………………………………………… 40-46 hrs.

              THA 0040 Theatre Arts Practicum (each semester a declared major)  

              THA 1105 Production Laboratory                                                     

              THA 1106 Production Laboratory                                                      

              THA 2105 Production Laboratory                                                        

              THA 2106 Production Laboratory

              THA 1300 Introduction to Theatre

              THA 1301 Acting I

              THA 1365 Elements of the Arts

              THA 2300 Script Analysis*

              THA 2303 Technical Theatre I

              THA 2305 Technical Theatre II

              THA 2365 Contexts for the Arts

              THA 3341 Theatre History I

              THA 3342 Theatre History II

              THA 3365 Innovations in the Arts

              THA 4365 Collaborations through the Arts

              any 9 hours of advanced Theatre courses (3000-level or above)

              Electives ........................................................................................        0-12 hrs.

 

Total Hours for B.A. ...........................................................................................no fewer than 124 hours

 

 

Theatre Minor

Students majoring in other fields may complete a B.A. with a minor in Theatre by meeting Departmental

requirements through auditions, interviews, grades, and recommendations before being accepted into

the Theatre Arts program. Minors must follow guidelines and criteria established in the Theatre Handbook.

 

Minor Requirements ................................................................................         25 hours

Theatre Arts

              THA 0040 Theatre Arts Practicum (every semester a declared minor)

              THA 1105 Production Laboratory

              THA 1106 Production Laboratory

              THA 2105 Production Laboratory

              THA 2106 Production Laboratory

              THA 1300 Introduction to Theatre

              THA 1301 Acting I

              THA 2300 Script Analysis

              THA 2303 Technical Theatre I

              THA 3341 Theatre History I

              any 6 hours of THA electives as approved by the student’s advisor

 

Student Learning Capabilities

The Department of Theatre is committed to the long-term development of four specific student learning capabilities.  Each Theatre course and Theatre-based FAR course is structured to develop these capabilities by the means specified in the syllabus.  The capabilities are:

              Artistry

              Analytical Thinking

              Creative Problem Solving

              Communication

 

Applied Lessons

In order to meet students’ needs for individualized instruction in specialty areas, the Theatre curriculum allows students to enroll, on a limited basis, for Applied Lessons in various areas of study.  The course numbers for these Theatre Applied Lessons (TAP courses) are based on the number of credit hours according to the following scheme in which the course number’s second digit represents the number of credit hours; so TAP 2300 is a 3-hr. course.

              Course #                                         Level                    Hours

              TAP 1100, 1200, 1300                   Freshman            1-3 hours                                                                                    

              TAP 2100, 2200, 2300                   Sophomore         1-3 hours                                                                    

              TAP 3100, 3200, 3300                   Junior                  1-3 hours                                                                                              

              TAP 4100, 4200, 4300                   Senior                 1-3 hours

Section numbers are assigned by the faculty according to content area in this way:

01—Performance: Acting, Directing    (Everton)                                                                                                                            02—Playwriting and Dramaturgy; Theatre History   (Whitt-Lambert)                                                                                                   03—Design: Lighting, Scenic, Costume, Properties  (Bristol or Stevenson)                                                                               04—Arts Management: Stage, Front-of-House, Box Office, Publicity/Graphics   (Whitt-Lambert)                                                   05—Dance, Stage Combat (assigned as needed)                                                                                                                                 06—Voice (Dubberly and Sauvey)

 

Important considerations 

1.  Students must discuss their interest in Applied Lessons with their faculty advisors and the instructor of the content area and complete the “Theatre Applied Lessons” form found in the Appendix of this Handbook.

2.  For each hour of TAP credit, there is a course fee of $60.  Students are warned to remember the $60, $120, or $180 charge when considering TAP enrollment.

 

Voice Lessons

Theatre majors may enroll for applied voice lessons (singing) through the Theatre Department. Voice lessons are offered under the TAP prefix,  Section 06. 

-- 1-credit hour TAP Voice Lesson meets once a week for 30 minutes

-- 2-credit hour TAP Voice Lesson meets once a week for 60 minutes

 

Voice lessons are scheduled individually to work in the student’s schedule.  To enroll, the student may obtain the “Theatre Applied Lessons” form from the Faculty advisor.  Once completed, the form must be signed by the  voice instructor and the Department Chairperson and filed with the Assistant Production Manager in the Theatre Department Office.   Specific lesson times will be assigned the first week of every semester.

 

The additional course fee of $60 per credit hour applies to all voice lessons.

 

 

Departmental Academic Policies

 

Syllabi

For each and every course the student takes at Texas Wesleyan a course syllabus will be provided by the instructor.  Each syllabus must include the following information:

             Semester and Year                                                                                                                             

              Course Title, Course Number, and Section Number                                                                                                                    

              Meeting Day(s), Times, and Location(s)                                                                                                                  

              Instructor Name                                                                                     

              Instructor’s Telephone Numbers & Email Address

              Office Location/Office Hours

              Textbooks, Readings, and/or Bibliography

              General Objectives or Expected Learner Outcomes

              Instructional Methods

              Course Description (including catalog description and prerequisites)

              Course Content (either as a list, a narrative or a chronological outline)

              Course Requirements

              Grading System (including the number of exams, quizzes, projects/papers and the way in

                            which the final course grade is to be determined)

              Absence Policy

              Texas Wesleyan Policies

                    1.     Students should read the current Texas Wesleyan University Catalog and Student Handbook to            become familiar with University policies. These policies include but are not limited to academic integrity, grade appeal, sexual harassment, student access to records, and others? policies specified in the current catalog are applicable unless otherwise stated in the syllabus.

                    2.     Texas Wesleyan University adheres to a disability policy which is in keeping with relevant federal law.  The University will provide appropriate accommodation as determined by the Director of the Counseling Center, Dr. Michael Ellison. Students must notify instructors of any  permanent or temporary disabilities and must provide documentation regarding those disabilities prior to the granting of an accommodation. For assistance, students should consult with Dr. Ellison.

                    3.     Syllabi for courses involving laboratories which use chemicals should include the following:

                            Due to the limitless variety of potentially hazardous chemicals which may be found in a scientific                     or other laboratory environment, students having known, or potential, health related concerns, such as allergies, asthma, contact dermatitis, pregnancy, or other physiological sensitivities should check with their physicians on the advisability of laboratory work. The instructor and/or chair of the teaching department will provide, upon request, a list of chemicals that will be used in experiments during the semester. More detailed information (that is, Material Safety Data Sheets) will be furnished by the deans upon written request.

 

Finally, all Wesleyan course syllabi will include a statement that will read, at least in part, as follows:

 Course syllabi are intended to provide students with basic information concerning the course. The syllabus can be viewed as a “blueprint” for the course? changes in the syllabus can be made and students will be informed of any substantive changes concerning examinations, the grading or attendance policies and changes in project assignments.

 

Students are encouraged to review their syllabi carefully and address any questions they may have about the content, grading or requirements for the course to the instructor.

 

Attendance

Theatre is a collaborative endeavor in which professionals are expected to show up on time, every time they are called.  To help prepare them for that professional expectation, Theatre students are expected to attend all classes.  Unexcused absences are not allowed. 

 

Should a student miss a class due to illness, personal emergency, University-sponsored activity or religious holiday, he or she is responsible for all assignments and material covered in that class.  

 

Unless discouraged by the course instructor, students should send an email or leave a voice mail message for instructors of classes they miss as a courtesy and as early as possible.

 

It is expected that each Theatre major/minor will be at all meetings (including Practicum), fittings, work calls and rehearsals relevant to the production program.

 

GPA Expectations

The Department has firm minimum expectations for grades and grade point average (GPA):

-- a 2.5 GPA for each semester they are enrolled as a major or minor

-- a minimum grade of C in each Departmental core course, the major and minor requirements

 

To be eligible to participate in productions as an actor, director, playwright, designer, stage manager or crew head, Theatre Students must meet or exceed the minimum requirements. 

 

Probation and Zero Tolerance

Those students who fail to meet the Department’s minimum expectations for GPA and core course grades will be placed on Departmental Probation for one semester.  The student will be informed in writing of his or her deficiency in grades, production hours or effort put forth in the production program. 

 

If the deficiency is corrected, the student is removed from Departmental Probation without penalty.

 

If the deficiency is not corrected, the Theatre faculty may choose to place the student on Zero Tolerance Probation.  The student then has one semester to improve GPA or participation in the production program to the satisfaction of the faculty, or he or she will be dismissed from the program.  The student will be informed in writing.

 

Practicum and Production Lab

THA 0040, known as Practicum, is the weekly Departmental Production Meeting for all students, faculty and staff.  Each Theatre major and minor must enroll in THA 0040 each semester he or she is a declared major or minor

Each Theatre Major and Minor will read the current THEATRE HANDBOOK by the second meeting of Practicum, typically by the second Monday of the semester.  Each Major and Minor will the sign and return the Practicum Contract form agreeing to all policies set forth.

 

THA 1105, 1106, 2105, 2106, known as Production Lab, is required each of the first four semesters the Student is a declared major or minor in the Department.  Students enroll once in each course, in the sequence listed.

 

Syllabi for THA 0040, 1105, 1106, 2105, and 2106 will provide additional information, but some of the standard requirements of all Theatre majors and minors each semester include:

--work a minimum of 125 production hours (for majors) or 62 production hours (for minors) each                                      semester on assigned shows, or other approved Departmental projects.  These include:

--weekly production work in assigned area                                                                                                                                 

--attendance at all strikes for major productions unless excused by the Technical Director prior to the                           strike                                                                                                                                   

--participation in any called “Clean-Up Days” at the end of fall and spring semesters                                                

--attendance at each Main Season production                                                                                                        

--adherence to faculty supervisor’s requirements when cast in a production or assigned to a production staff position                                                                                                                                                              

--attendance at all assigned weekly work calls to meet these requirements:                                                                                       

Theatre Majors:  45 hours each semester, a minimum of 3 hours per week                                               

Theatre Minors:  23 hours each semester, a minimum of 1.5 hours per week                                              

--additional hours worked in production shops, running crews, rehearsals and performances to bring the total number of hours for the semester to a minimum of 125.  It is not unusual for active Theatre majors    to earn twice that number (and more) in each semester.                                     

 

Under certain circumstances, students may be excused from weekly assigned work calls.  These include:          

--Production Stage Managers, who have many duties outside of rehearsals and are excused from weekly assigned work calls for the duration of their particular productions.  Each Stage Manager is  responsible for tracking his or her total production hours and reporting that total into the Technical Director at the close of the production.                                                                                                              

--In unique circumstances, student directors, designers, actors and other production staff members may  be allowed to count their first 3 hours of each week’s design work or rehearsal as their assigned work call for that show’s production period.  Such accommodation must be approved by the  Technical Director in consultation with the production’s Faculty Director or Area Supervisor.

 

Students are encouraged to perform in one-act plays or scenes for Directing class, in Senior Projects, readings of student-written plays and PLAYMARKET.  While the actual number of participation hours will vary from one project to the next, the maximum number of hours applicable to the semester total for these projects will be 20.

 

Tracking Production Hours

Students accrue production hours in the following ways:

-- Shop Hours are earned in the production shops and work calls.  Students must sign in and sign out at the

          shop hours log. (Ask each shop foreman for the location of the log.)

-- Rehearsal Hours are recorded by the Stage Manager, who tracks all time spent at rehearsal.

-- Independent Hours  are worked outside rehearsal and shops for activities associated with work as a Designer or Dramaturg, conducting research, assisting with recruiting, etc.  Students are responsible for tracking their own Independent Hours and turning them into the Technical Director the first school day following a strike.

 

While production hours are tracked by the Department in several ways, students are expected to keep a running total of their own production hours.

 

Graduation

At the completion of all degree requirements, students may graduate with the B.A. in Theatre.   At the conclusion of each fall and spring semester, convocations are held to honor students and bestow the diplomas they have earned.   Students must apply for graduation through the office of the Registrar.  Deadlines for applying are published in the University calendar which can be found online under this Student Services link:

 

http://www.txwes.edu/registrar/academiccalendar.htm

 

 

“Walking” Guidelines

Students who have not completed the graduation requirements may petition through the office of their Dean or the Provost and Senior Vice Present to “walk” (participate in the graduation ceremony) on the following conditions:

--Be within two courses (6-8 credit hours) of completing graduation requirements

--Have previously met all 1000/2000 level requirements and all general education courses (GEC).

--Have a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the time of petition

--Demonstrate a plausible non-academic reason beyond the Student’s control that prevented completion of all requirements

--Recognize that “walking” is available only for the Spring graduation and not for the December                                       graduation

--Recognize that the actual graduation date reflected on the diploma will be the graduation following the                        documented completion of degree requirements

--Note that students who “walk” may participate in robbing and graduation ceremonies, although a faculty member may elect not to robe a student who has not completed degree requirements

--Students approved to “walk” are entitled to a letter from the University Registrar/Provost certifying the                         Student has completed all requirements once, in fact, final requirements are met.  This may occur prior to the actual graduation date entered on the diploma.

The petition to “walk” must be filed no later than April 1st and can be found online at the Registrar’s web page:

< http://web3.txwes.edu/registrar/WalkingInformation.htm >

 

Robing

The Robing Ceremony is an academic convocation held at the end of each fall and spring semester. By asking a faculty member to vest her or him, the graduating senior acknowledges the importance of a particular Faculty member to the student’s academic success.  Details of Robing can be found in the Academic Catalog and will be provided to the prospective graduate when he or she files an application for graduation.

 

 

Part Four:  Facilities, Equipment and Materials

 

Facilities

 

Sone Fine Arts Center

Located at the southeast corner of Binkley and Ave E., “The Sone” is the main hub of the Department’s activity.  It houses the Thad Smotherman Theatre, our on-campus performance space.  While it is technically classified a black box, “The Thad” accommodates arena, thrust and proscenium configurations.

 

Thad Smotherman is a former Texas Wesleyan student and a current member of the Board of Trustees.  In 2002 the Smotherman family’s generous donation funded the renovation of the performance space from a shallow raised platform at one end of a steeply raked auditorium to the large, flexible space in use today.  

 

The Sone Basement houses the Costume Shop, with its construction and storage areas, the makeup and dressing areas and another space that serves as additional construction space, classroom and lounge. 

 

The Design Lab, located midway between basement and first floor on the south side of the stage (stage left), contains computers for use by all designers for Theatre Wesleyan productions and for classes.

 

Also offstage left are storage areas, principally for lighting and tools.

 

The Box Office is located on the south end of the Sone lobby and a small kitchen area is on the north end.  These areas are used for accommodating theatre patrons with tickets and refreshments during performances.  The kitchen may be used by students for storing their lunches, snacks and drinks.  Throughout the year, meetings and classes are held in the Lobby.  Students are cautioned to remain quiet when entering the Lobby so as not to disturb classes or meetings.

 

On the north side of the stage (stage right), up the short stairway, there is a small green room.  Currently, the space is being used to store items displaced while the new scene shop is under construction.  When the space becomes available again it will serve as a student lounge during the school day and as offstage accommodation for company members during rehearsals and performances.

 

Two voice studios are located on the north side of the building (stage right) at the landing level of the stairway leading to the basement. 

 

Offstage right storage areas are used principally for rehearsal and show props.

 

At the west end of The Thad, on the second level, there is a large, glass-enclosed booth space for stage managers, light and sound board control and follow spot operators. 

 

On the ground floor at the back of the house on the north side, there is a storage closet, used for storage of class props and furniture and for production storage or changing areas when needed.

 

The second floor of the Sone building is used principally for storage.  Access to these areas is restricted for safety reasons.  Students are cautioned to stay clear of these areas unless they are directed there as part of their work call duties.

 

The Sone Basement

The Sone Basement is a multi-purpose area and functions as the Costume Shop, a Classroom, Make–up area, Dressing Room and Lounge.    If the basement is open, students may study, chat, eat lunch or have a meeting in the Lounge area only, at the east end where the tables are located.

             

Those using the lounge area of the Sone Basement must follow these rules:

-- No food or drink except bottled water is allowed in any other part of the basement.

-- Everyone using the Basement Lounge is responsible for cleaning up after themselves, be that food, homework, sewing or drafting projects, props, make-up, etc.   

-- Any unidentified items left in that area will be disposed of.

-- If at any time these rules are not upheld, the Lounge area will become off-limits.

 

 

Classrooms

While a number of Theatre classes are taught in the Sone, the Department also makes use of Room 102 in the Dan Waggoner Annex (DWA).  The easiest access to this space is from the DWA exterior door on the south side of the building, across the sidewalk from the stage right side of the Sone Fine Arts center.  Because the space is used for a variety of classes outside the Theatre Department and the hall houses the offices of International Programs, students are asked to respect others by not congregating in the hall and remaining quiet and orderly in the building.

 

From time to time, some Theatre classes are scheduled in other spaces on the Wesleyan campus. 

 

Anytime a Theatre class is moved, whether for a single meeting or  a full semester, students will be informed of the change in weekly Practicum meetings or on posted signs.

 

Theatre Department Office

The Theatre Department Office is the workspace for the Department’s Assistant Production Manager, Erica Maroney.  Office hours vary according to production schedules, but, typically, the Office is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., except for the lunch hour.

 

Through the day, the Assistant Production Manager must leave the office to carry out Department business.  When the Department Office door is closed or locked during normal business hours, circumstances of access and entry will be posted on the door. Students, who require immediate access to the Office when the Assistant Production Manager is unavailable, should see a Theatre Faculty member for assistance.  If the Assistant Production Manager is on campus and can be reached immediately that information will be indicated on the door.

 

The Theatre Department office is a workspace for the Assistant Production Manager, and other Theatre faculty and staff.  It is not a lounge.  Students are asked not to gather in the office unless they have immediate business there and always to be aware of the noise level.  The office is a place of business; if students are being disruptive or gathering they will be asked to leave.  Students are expected to be respectful of the space at all times and not use Department materials without permission.  Please take care to remove all personal articles when leaving the office.

 

 

Faculty Offices

The Theatre faculty’s offices, personal workspaces, are used occasionally for design conferences, applied lessons and tutorials.  These offices are housed in the Sone Fine Arts Center and the Dan Waggoner Annex. 

 

The Bryan Stevenson’s office is located in the Sone, near the Design Lab.

 

The Department Office and the offices of Connie Whitt-Lambert and Jeanne Everton are located in the DWA, near the south exterior doors.

 

Brynn Bristol and Joe Brown have offices in the DWA, on the second floor at the north end of the building.  Access to their offices is by the staircase located at the west exterior entrance to the building. 

 

Faculty schedules are posted on office doors during the first week of each semester.

 

Scene Shop

During Fall Semester 2008, the University is building a new Scene Shop for the Theatre Department.  The Shop will be located on Binkley north and west of the Sone. 

 

“Avenue B”

The Department’s large storage warehouse, primarily for scenery and properties, is located in a facility just east of the intersection of Avenue B and Collard Street.  

 

Firestation

Located just south of the intersection of Vaughn and Rosedale, the Firestation is used for storage.

 

Access to Facilities

Theatre students, faculty and staff must take care at all times to secure our buildings and equipment.

 

Sone 

If you are authorized to be in the Sone Fine Arts Center for classes, rehearsals or production assignments and find the door locked you can be let into the building by going to the Theatre Office or calling Campus Security at 817-531-4911. Everyone is asked to remember that classes are held in the theatre space many weekdays between 9:25 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Please avoid walking through the theatre and lobby areas during class times and take care not to disrupt classes or rehearsals by slamming doors in the Sone.  Take a second or two to close doors quietly behind you.

 

 

Costume Shop

The Costume Shop is typically open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 12 noon until 6 p.m.

 

Students who are authorized to use the space and need access to the shop at other hours should ask one of the following individuals to unlock it:

              Stage Manager of current production

              Theatre Faculty and Staff

              Some Student Assistants

 

 

Design Studio

The Design Studio is open to all theatre students with a priority for design work for classes and productions. Hours vary by semester and are posted on the Design Studio door.  Arrangements can be made with the Technical Director for Designers to use the Design Studio after hours for projects.  For approved access to the Design Studio after hours students should call Campus Security. Students should consult the Technical Director to be approved for after-hours access.

 

 

Scene Shop

While a new facility is being constructed, the Scene Shop is temporarily located in the Avenue B Warehouse.  The Scene Shop hours vary by semester, but the shop is typically open in the afternoon Tuesday through Friday.  During regular hours the front door of the shop will be unlocked.  The Scene Shop is the workspace for scenery and props construction.  The space can only be used for production work and projects for technical theatre and design class projects.  The use of the Scene Shop for any other classes or projects must be approved by the Technical Director.  For approved access to the Scene Shop after hours students should call Campus Security. Students should consult the Technical Director to be approved for after-hours access.

 

 

Avenue B Warehouse

“Avenue B” is the name of the facility used primarily for storage of scenery and properties.  Ordinarily, access is limited, so students must make an appointment with the Technical Director or the Departmental Props Assistant to get into the warehouse.

 

Firestation

The Firestaton is used primarily for storage.  Access is limited, so students must make an appointment with the Technical Director or the Costume Shop Manager to get into the Firestation.

 

 

Equipment and Materials

All furniture, equipment, inventory and supplies contained in any Department facility are the property of the Texas Wesleyan Theatre Department.   

 

Theatre is expensive to produce and teach.  In order to get maximum value from the resources available, everyone, students, faculty and staff alike, must take care to maintain and operate equipment properly.  Likewise, materials must be used frugally.  Equipment in classrooms and the various production areas is intended for student use, but only when students are authorized to operate it.  Safety is of paramount concern, so students must have faculty or staff approval to use power tools and welding supplies, the truck, machines for sewing, computers and other electronic equipment.

 

The security of equipment and materials is equally important.  Operating budgets do not allow for the immediate replacement of missing or stolen items, so every individual who uses Theatre Department facilities and equipment is expected to guard against misuse, unlocked spaces and leaving tools and materials in areas where they may be misappropriated. 

 

For additional information on the use of specific equipment and materials and the policies governing the lending of inventory or equipment can be found in the Production Guidelines in this Handbook.

 

Equipment in Theatre Department Office

 

Computers 

The computer located on the Assistant Production Manager’s desk is off-limits to students at all times.

 

The secondary computer may be used by students to access email and conduct production-related research.  However, it functions primarily as a design computer for graphics and publicity.  Top priority on computer use is given to Graphic Designers, Student Assistants, Box Office personnel and Stage Managers for the current production.  For their personal and academic needs, students are urged to use the University-designated computer labs located in the Library, the ARC, and the Psychology and Business buildings.

 

Printers

Students’ personal and academic printing should be done at University designated computer labs. The printers located in the theatre office are for faculty and staff use only.  The single exception is for student Graphic Designers, who must obtain permission from the Assistant Production Manager for each use of the printer.

 

Copier

 The copier is for Theatre Department Faculty  and Staff use. Stage managers may use the copier for production purposes with permission of the Assistant Production Manager or a faculty member.   Occasionally, other students may use the copier at the request of a specific Theatre Faculty member.  Copiers for students’ personal and academic use are located in the library.

 

Fax Machine

Under limited circumstances and with the permission of the Assistant Production Manager or a member of the Theatre Faculty, students may send or receive faxes in the Theatre Office.  The fax machine and the Department telephone are connected, so it is imperative that students receive permission from the Assistant Production Manager prior to receiving a fax.  If the phone rings and is answered while an incoming fax is coming through, the connection to the fax machine will be lost.      

 

Office Supplies

Office supplies for production use are ordered through the Theatre Office.  Stage Managers are advised to request supplies from the Assistant Production Manager at least one week before they are needed to allow time for purchasing, if necessary.   All unused supplies must be returned to the Office in a timely manner. 

 

Projector

An Epson Powerlite Screen Projector is available for student use with computers in Theatre classes and production.  To reserve the projector, students must complete and submit a Projector Check-Out Form to the Assistant Production Manager at least one week prior to the date of use.   Forms are available in the Forms section of the online Theatre Handbook and in the Theatre Office.

 

Once checked out, the projector, its accessories and carrying case are the responsibility of the student.   Please note that the cost to replace the projector lamp is $199.00, so care must be taken to insure the longest life possible. 

 

Coffeemaker

Stage managers may use the coffeemaker in the Theatre Office for any rehearsals or auditions that will take place in the Dan Waggoner Annex.

 

Refrigerator and Microwave

These appliances, located in the Theatre Office, are for the use of the theatre faculty and staff only.  Students may use the refrigerator and microwave located in the kitchen or the green room of the Law Sone Fine Arts building. The Theatre Office is not a break room; you may eat your lunches in the Sone kitchen and green room, the Student Center and the east end of the Sone Basement Costume Shop when it is unlocked.  Students who choose to eat in any of the Sone spaces, must clean up after themselves; this includes wiping out the microwave and throwing your trash away.  Because the refrigerators in the Sone are cleaned out approximately every two weeks, students who wish to keep items refrigerated for an extended period of time should label items with name and a date on which the items may be thrown away.   Unlabeled items will be thrown out when the refrigerator is cleaned.

 

When productions require food props, they are stored in the Sone refrigerators, both in the Lobby kitchen and in the Costume Shop.  Students who routinely use the refrigerators for their personal needs are urged to exercise care not to displace or damage props when storing their own items. Signs will be posted if either refrigerator is “off limits” for individual student use during a production, and unauthorized items will be thrown out.

 

Theatre Department Truck

Only Theatre Department Faculty, Staff and Student Assistants are covered by the University insurance.  No one may drive the truck without University insurance coverage and the permission of the Technical Director or the Department Chairperson.  The truck may only be used for Department business.

 

 

Borrowing Policies

Costumes, furniture and properties are available on a limited basis for student use for directing scenes, one-act plays and other Department activities.  The policies of individual production areas are noted in the “Production Manual” Section that follows.

 

Student Assistants and those serving on the staff of a particular area must always coordinate lending with the appropriate Faculty Supervisor in the production area. 

 

Students are personally responsible for tools, props, costumes, scripts and any equipment assigned for use in any production.    Students who check out Department property will be responsible for its monetary value in the event it is not returned.

 

Use of Materials for Class Projects

In general, students are expected to assume the cost of projects for their classes.  In some cases, however, exceptions are made to allow the use of surplus or salvaged materials from the production areas for class projects.

 

No materials in the production areas (lumber, paint, fasteners, fabric, dyes, etc.) or the Theatre Office (paper, CDs, DVDs, office supplies, etc.) may be used for Student Design Projects without the permission of Theatre faculty or staff.  Please respect our efforts to use our Department’s resources wisely.

 

 

Part Five:    General Information and Regulations

 

Academic Awards

Each spring semester the University holds the Academic Awards Ceremony.  The Department participates by bestowing the following awards.

 

The Cecil Cole Memorial Award

Named to honor former Theatre professor Cecil Cole, who taught in the technical theatre at Texas Wesleyan University, this award recognizes students who have excelled behind the scenes in the technical areas of Theatre.  A cash award is presented to each winner.

 

The J. Lyle Hard Award

This cash award recognizes actors, one male and one female, who have excelled in performances on stage during the academic year       

 

The Johnson-Garrett Musical Theatre Award

Named for Mason Johnson, longtime theatre faculty member, and Joy Garrett, Theatre alumna who went on to star in daytime television, this award recognizes the student who has best represented the Department on stage in musical productions.  A cash award is presented to the winner. 

 

The Thad Smotherman Award for the Theatre Major of the Year

One student, who exemplifies the best of the Theatre Department, both academically and as a theatre practitioner, receives a $1,000 check from Mr. Thad Smotherman, a former Wesleyan theatre major and current member of the Wesleyan Board of Trustees.            

 

The Wesleyan ENCORE Award

 A group of theatre alumni united in their support of the Department, Wesleyan ENCORE members present a check for $1,000 to the student they deem worthy based on Departmental participation, a written application and references.       

 

Alpha Psi Omega Service Award

The Honorary Theatre Fraternity Alpha Psi Omega (APO), Theta Omicron Cast, presents the APO Service Award to the cast member who has best served the Theta Omicron membership that year. 

 

Alpha Psi Award for Academic Excellence

With this award, the APO Omicron Cast recognizes the cast member with the highest GPA.

 

 

Assessment

 

Courses

As part of the University’s on-going assessment of academic programs, each semester Wesleyan faculty is required by the University to distribute to students the computer-scored IDEA forms.  These student surveys are general in nature; all students are requested to complete the survey after reading and understanding the nature of each question.  Additionally, students in many Theatre courses are asked to complete individual faculty-designed surveys directly related to a specific course and material.  These may be computer scored or require more in-depth answers.  Unless otherwise indicated, all course evaluation surveys will be anonymous.

 

End-of-Semester Meetings

At the end of each student’s first semester as a theatre major, the individual student will meet with the Department’s faculty to discuss progress, problems, and the future of the student as a theatre major.  At that time, the student’s status within the Department will be determined.  Should that student fail to meet the minimum requirements for GPA, production hours, and/or participation in the production program, the student may be placed on Departmental Probation.  Other meeting topics may include time management and communication issues or the student’s desire to undertake specific production responsibilities in upcoming semesters, such as designing or crew leadership.

 

Exit Interviews

Each semester, the faculty interviews students scheduled for graduation.  As part of the Department’s assessment procedures, graduates are asked a set of pre-determined questions pertaining to their experience in the Department.

 

`Assistantships in the Department

Student Assistants are paid employees of the University and the Theatre Department.  Assistantships are awarded by the faculty on the basis of ability, GPA and proven service to the Department.  Assistants work the required number of THA 0040 Production Hours in addition to their paid hours.  While the number of assistantships is limited by budget, applications for open positions are accepted each semester.  Assistantships for upcoming academic years must be renewed during the spring semester.  Both the initial Application and Application to Renew Assistantships are available in the Forms section of this Handbook’s Appendix.

 

Attendance at Production Events

Students never miss a rehearsal, production meeting, costume fitting, work call, costume parade, crew assignment or strike.

 

Audition Policy

Because the production program serves as a laboratory for skills taught in the classroom, the theatre faculty requires students, especially those with a performance emphasis, to audition for all Main Season plays and musicals. Certain academic and personal circumstances may suggest it is in the student’s best interest not to audition for a specific production.  Any student wishing to be exempt from the audition requirement must obtain the permission of the production’s Director.   Students who wish to accept assignments as Designers and Stage Managers should to speak directly with the production’s Director to insure that all parties are clear in regard to the audition policy.

 

Bulletin Board & Production Callboards

There are three important boards:

 

1.  The first is is a bulletin board located in the Dan Waggoner Annex in the hall across from the Theatre Office. It displays Theatre Department announcements, area auditions, and academic notices.

 

2. The call board located just inside the North backstage door of the Sone Fine Arts building, on the East wall, will have outside opportunities, Practicum notes, Alpha Psi Omega notices, shop information/sign-in sheet, and on-campus activities.

 

3. The callboard across the hall, on the West wall, is used by Stage Managers and Directors to post sign-in sheets, call times, and other pertinent information for the show(s) currently in production.

 

Students are required to check these call boards at least once each weekday for new notices or changes.

 

The CALLBOARD

The CALLBOARD, the Department’s electronic newsletter, is sent periodically to Theatre Department graduates and contains updates on the Department, its alumni, and other items of potential interest to theatre graduates.  Created more than a decade ago, The CALLBOARD was initially designed to provide periodic updates on the Department’s season and other alumni news.  Now it has grown into a networking tool for all Theatre graduates with more than 100 members spanning decades of Wesleyan theatre students. 

 

Upon graduation, each theatre student’s email address is added to that electronic database.  To include information in any upcoming edition, or to request that a special email be sent to the mailing list, alumni should send their information to Connie Whitt-Lambert cwhittlambert@txwes.edu with Callboard info in the subject line.  Each edition is sent out as a blind copy; no individual email address is shared unless that individual requests that it be published in the newsletter.

 

“The Company”

For all Theatre Wesleyan productions, the Company is comprised of cast, production staff and the running crew.

 

Complimentary Ticket Policy

Each Company member receives two tickets per production. Students must fill out a Comp Request form, which will be available in Practicum or can be picked up in the Theatre production office. These forms should be filled out at least 24 hours prior to the requested performance date; for weekend performances Comp Requests should be turned in before 5:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the performance.

 

Each Theatre Major/Minor who is not part of the company will be admitted free to each Main Season production with advance reservations.  Exceptions to this policy are made when required by limitations of the performance space.  In such cases students will be notified in Practicum and every effort is made to open Technical and Dress Rehearsals to majors and minors.

 

Contact Sheet

Each fall and spring semester the Assistant Production Manager compiles and distributes a Theatre Department Contact Sheet to facilitate communication between students, faculty and staff.  Students are asked to inform the Assistant Production Manager as soon as their contact information changes.

 

 

Disability Certification, including Math Disability

As discussed in the Syllabus section above, students with specific disabilities are required to visit Dr. Michael Ellison to be evaluated and receive documentation of the ways in which University faculty and staff can accommodate their individual needs.

 

In this context, disability means any condition of health or cognition leading to a learning difference.   Dr. Ellison and his staff will counsel students who experience difficulty reading, writing or performing mathematical functions to explain the provisions for the substituting appropriate courses for those required by the student’s degree plan. 

 

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Any student who attends a class, a rehearsal, a work call or any other Departmental activity while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances will be dismissed from that activity and not allowed to return until approved through discussions between the student and the Theatre Department faculty.  Drug and alcohol abuse are not tolerated, and students who fail to heed this fact will be dismissed from the program.

 

Harassment and Discrimination Policy

The Theatre Department observes the Unified Harassment and Discrimination Policy as stated in the University’s Catalog.  Students are directed to read and understand the provisions of this policy.

 

Be warned, however, that theatre imitates human life, and, because sexuality is part of life, some performances and course material may deal with sexual behavior, situations and language. 

 

Insurance

To prepare the Department to assist students who become ill or suffer injury during Department activities, theatre students who carry personal health insurance are asked to provide the name and policy number of their health care providers to the Assistant Production Manager at the beginning of each semester. 

 

 

Lost and Found

All items found in Theatre Department classrooms, in the theatre space or lobby should be turned in to the Assistant Production Manager in the Theatre Department Office.  Items will be secured until they are identified and claimed by their owners. 

 

Items found in the production areas will be handled as recommended by the Faculty Supervisors of those areas. 

 

Students are expected to label their belongings (backpacks, books, etc.,) to ease the process of returning them if they are misplaced. 

 

Mailboxes

Mailboxes for Theatre Faculty and Staff are located in the Theatre Production Office. 

 

Each Theatre major and minor is assigned a mailbox, located in the Theatre Department Office.  Students are required to check their mailboxes at least once each weekday.  Failure to do so can result in students’ missing deadlines, meetings or opportunities. 

 

Parking

Students are cautioned to follow the University’s regulations on parking between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Do not park in spaces marked “Reserved.”  These are faculty parking spaces, and if students are ticketed for unauthorized parking, they will be prohibited from using many of the University’s facilities and programs, including registering for classes, until fines are paid.

 

After 5 p.m. on weekdays, students may park in the lot directly east of the Sone Fine Arts Center in any space except the one provided for Handicap Access, unless the student has the appropriate designation to use that space.  Warning:  the Fort Worth Police Department can and will ticket undocumented vehicles parked in the Handicap Access space at any hour of the day, every day of the week. 

 

Students who commute to campus can park in the Student Lot located at the corner of Binkley and Avenue E, directly across Avenue E from the Sone Fine Arts Center.  The next closest student parking is in the large lot on the east side of campus near the Student Center or in the lot on the north of the Nurse Anesthesia building at Wesleyan and Avenue B, though students are cautioned not to park in the spaces marked “Reserved.”

 

The Loading Docks of the Sone, Ave. B and the Scene Shop are for loading only.  No Student Parking.

 

 

Participation in Productions Outside the Department

The Department encourages its students to develop relationships with outside producing organizations, particularly in the summer and with professional theatres. 

 

Theatre majors who wish to participate in any off-campus or non-Department productions during the Fall or Spring semesters must secure the Theatre Department faculty’s permission before they audition or accept other assignments.  This regulation is in effect to protect the student’s academic and artistic progress.  The faculty makes every reasonable effort to accommodate students’ requests to work in the community for as little as a single production or for a semester-long internship.  

 

The procedure for obtaining permission starts with the completion of The Petition to Work Off-Campus, which can be found in the Forms section in this Handbook’s Appendix.  The form should be completed and handed in to the student’s Academic Advisor or the Department Chairperson who will bring the request to the attention of the Theatre faculty as a whole.

             

 

Practicum Notes

Notes are taken on all important information shared during each Practicum meeting.  The Notes are posted to the east Sone callboard each Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. Students absent from Practicum are required to read the posted notes; others may clarify their understanding of the business conducted by reading the Notes.  

 

Research with Human Subjects

Texas Wesleyan University observes strict policies regarding the conduct of research using human subjects.  Students are required to consult with their classroom teachers to learn the conditions and regulations governing such research.

 

Resources for Summer Internships and Employment

The Theatre Office houses a large 3-ring binder that contains information about summer internships and opportunities. Students are encouraged to look over the material, but must do so in the Theatre Office. The book should not be taken out of the office under any circumstances.

 

Play Catalogs, ARTSearch, Miscellaneous Catalogs

These materials are kept in the Theatre Office and are available for reference.  Please do not remove any item from this collection without the permission of the Assistant Production Manager.

 

Scripts

The University’s West Library contains an extensive collection of theatre books and play scripts, particularly in the Joe Brown Collection located in the northeast corner of the first floor. 

 

Scripts for Main Season

Students will be notified during Practicum or on the Callboard when scripts for upcoming shows are available for perusal.  Production scripts may be read in the office without having to be checked out.

 

Whenever possible, a copy of scripts for the Main Season will be placed on Strict Reserve in the West Library for a few weeks before auditions.  These items may be found at the Circulation Desk by providing the name of the production’s Faculty Director or the Department’s Chairperson.

 

Check out

Unless otherwise indicated, students may check out scripts for upcoming auditions in the Theatre Office for a period of 48 hours. A refundable cash deposit of $5 is required to check out a script, and a $10.00 cash deposit is required to check out musical libretti and CDs.  No photocopies of scripts can be made. Any student who does not return a script in the allotted time and does not go to the office to request an extension, may be denied the check-out privileges for future productions.

 

Returns

Production Stage Managers will assign to company members any rented script, score, or libretto which must be returned to the publisher.  These items must be returned in good condition to the Stage Manager within 24 hours of the closing of the show so that the Department can meet its contractual obligation to return the materials to the publisher by a prescribed time limit.  Students who fail to return in the material within the required timeframe will be charged the full cost of the material as assessed by the publisher.  Rented materials must be free of all markings and notations made during rehearsals.  If rented materials are lost or so badly damaged that they cannot be used again, the student will be required to pay for that item at the rate billed by the publisher, typically $25.00.

 

 

Senior Projects, Independent Projects

The Department encourages students’ creative work and will consider alternative production ideas when submitted in writing to the Department’s Chairperson at least one semester before the requested production date.  These alternative ideas can be of any nature appropriate to the theatre as an art form. 

 

The Senior Project provides an opportunity for disciplined senior students to demonstrate their skill as theatre artists.  To obtain permission to produce a Senior Project, interested students should begin no less than one semester before the intended date of the project by discussing the project idea with the appropriate faculty advisor.  Next, the student completes the Senior Project Proposal Form, which can be found in the Appendix of this Handbook in the “Forms” section, and turns it into the Theatre Chairperson. 

 

Deadlines for proposals are no later than:

--October 15 for projects to be produced in the Spring Semester

--April 1 for projects to be produced in the Fall Semester    

 

The theatre faculty as a whole will review the proposal.  Each approved project will be assigned a faculty mentor who has the discretion to expand or modify the guidelines of the Senior Project.  In the appropriate semester, the approved student will enroll in THA 4301, Senior Project, for the section assigned to the Faculty Mentor.

 

 

Smoking

There is no smoking in any building on the Texas Wesleyan University campus.  The University’s policy on smoking follows the City of Fort Worth ordinance that prohibits smoking in public places within 20 feet of a primary exit or entrance to a building.   Violators may be fined by the City.

 

The only authorized smoking area near the Theatre Department is on the north side of the Sone Fine Arts Center. An outdoor ashtray is located at the appropriate distance from building entrances. 

 

Smokers must remain in the designated smoking area and dispose of cigarette butts properly in the containers provided. 

 

Space Reservations

Students may reserve spaces in the Sone Fine Arts building for meetings or rehearsals by submitting a Sone Space Reservation Request to the Assistant Production Manager.  The reservation form may be found in the Forms section of the Handbook’s Appendix.  In order to insure the best chances of securing a reservation, students should submit requests as early as possible.

 

Other campus spaces are available to students for meetings and rehearsals whenever classes are not scheduled in them. The use of other University facilities, including DWA 102, is controlled by the Registrar’s Office.  Students wishing to use such spaces should complete the Request for Use of University Space, also in this Handbook’s appendix, and turn it in to the Assistant Production Manager, who will coordinate all space requests and contact the Registrar’s Office to secure the reservation.

 

 

 

Part Six:  Additional Opportunities

 

Alpha Psi Omega (APO)

Alpha Psi Omega is a national Honorary Theatre Fraternity founded in 1925 for those students achieving a high standard of work in drama.  The Texas Wesleyan chapter is designated the “Theta Omicron Cast.”  Membership is by invitation.  Details about APO and membership can be obtained from members.  Routinely, APO announcements are made in Practicum.

 

ACTF (American College Theatre Festival)

The Department takes pride in its tremendous record of achievement in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival.  Students and faculty alike have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in design, performance and directing, playwriting, and stage management.

 

Theatre Wesleyan has entered participating productions as well as associate productions for which student work can compete for awards, some in the form of scholarships.  Students who enter designs, student actors, directors and stage managers are required to develop extensive presentations, mentored by the Department’s faculty.

 

International Travel

The department makes it possible for Theatre students and other members of the Wesleyan community to travel internationally, usually every other year.  Information on upcoming travel opportunities will be provided on call boards and in Practicum.

 

PLAYMARKET

The Department recognizes the achievement of student and alumni playwrights through concert and staged readings of selected work.  Venues for PLAYMARKET vary and have included intimate theatre settings and larger theatrical venues on the Wesleyan campus and in New York City.

 

Playwrights may submit their work for consideration by following the guidelines published on the Theatre Wesleyan website at:

 

http://web3.txwes.edu/theatrearts/theatrewesleyan/PLAYMARKET2007contestrules.htm

 

A list of plays produced at PLAYMARKET can be found on the Theatre Wesleyan website at:

 

http://web3.txwes.edu/theatrearts/ThePLAYMARKETHistory.htm

 

Texas Thespians

Whenever production schedules permit, Wesleyan theatre students and faculty participate in the annual convention of Texas Thespians by teaching workshops, conducting auditions and networking with high school students and their teachers.

 

United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)

USITT is an association of design, production and technology professionals in the entertainment industry.  When production schedules permit, interested students and faculty attend the national and section conferences, which provide an open opportunity to attended workshops and presentations on all aspects of technical theatre and design.  USITT is an excellent networking tool for meeting and working with designers, educators, manufacturers, and industry professionals.

 

 

Part Seven: Theatre Wesleyan Production Guidelines

 

The guidelines contained in this section of the Theatre Handbook are provided as fundamental information for students as they work in all aspects of Theatre Wesleyan production.  While these policies and practices have been conscientiously developed over decades and altered when appropriate to meet the changing nature of our work, there are times when other guidelines will supersede those published here.  Until such time new guidelines are posted permanently to this Handbook, any intermittent changes will be communicated directly to students, either verbally or in writing, by faculty and staff or by those in positions of responsibility, such as directors, designers technical directors and stage managers.  Any student who is uncertain about a production policy or practice is urged to consult his or her academic advisor or the faculty supervisor of a particular production area.

 

Season Selections

Each spring, the theatre faculty invites suggestions from students for titles to be considered for the next academic year’s Main Stage Season.  Typically, this includes three plays and the spring musical, though variations from this format are possible. 

 

Students are encouraged to send their suggestions, along with any specific justification for their titles, to the faculty via email as early in the spring semester as possible.  In order to properly consider these suggestions, faculty must have time to locate and read any titles they do not know.

 

After reviewing student suggestions and adding titles of their own, the faculty meets to determine the season.  Care is taken to choose titles from a variety of forms and styles and across the span of theatre history so that each student who graduates from Texas Wesleyan will have had exposure to a broad and thorough spectrum of dramatic literature and production styles.

 

 

Production Assignments

In order to insure that students achieve the Department’s goal to use the production program as a laboratory for skills taught in courses, enormous care is taken in the assignment of production positions for all Main Stage plays and musicals. 

 

Students who participate regularly and enthusiastically in their weekly production assignments may be assigned significant production jobs, including Assistant Technical Director, Crew Chief, Board Operator, Dresser, House Manager, and Running Crew. 

 

Students who wish to serve in any leadership position in a Main Season production (Director, SM, Designer, TD) should have completed, at the very least, the basic Theatre course work in the relevant area.  It is always preferred that students seeking these positions have served as an Assistant to a Director, SM, Designer or TD before taking on full responsibilities for these positions. 

 

Students are encouraged to discuss their interest in production assignments with faculty Directors, Designers and the Technical Director. 

 

Eligibility Standards for Production Assignments

While all production assignments in the Main Season are open to any student in the Department, there are two standards which must be met by those interested in being cast in any role or for leadership positions in the Company.

 

--Students must be in good standing in the Theatre Department, meaning they have a record of meeting or

             exceeding the minimum standard for production hours in both the weekly assignment (3 hours/week for   majors, 1.5 hours/week for minors) and in totals for the previous semester (125 hours for majors, 62 hours for minors).

 

--Students must have met or exceeded the 2.5 GPA standard and have earned a grade of C or higher for core Theatre courses required for the major or minor.

 

Students who fail to complete the duties outlined or assigned for each production position and/or those who habitually miss deadlines may be dismissed from their positions as Directors, Designers, Stage Managers, the Assistants that support those areas, and Actors. 

Company Roster

In addition to the Department’s Contact Sheet, updated and issued each semester by the Assistant Production Manager, the Production Stage Manager will develop and distribute a roster of all members of a production’s company.  Company members must keep Stage Managers informed of any changes in contact phone numbers or email addresses.

 

Production Duties & Policies

The information provided below is the standard procedure for working in the Theatre Wesleyan environment.  Just as each production is unique, each job within the production effort may change depending on the requirements of the particular play or musical.  The material provided here is intended as an overview and may be supplemented or changed at any time, not necessarily in this Handbook.  Students who are uncertain of how to meet their production responsibilities are encouraged to speak with the Faculty Supervisor who oversees the particular area.

                           

Producing     

                           

Producer

The Producer, typically the Department’s Chairperson, serves as the liaison between the Department’s production program and any other entity, such as the University, play publishers, and suppliers. The Producer also serves as liaison between Company members when the Director and Stage Manager are unable to do so. 

 

All issues associated with hiring personnel, production publicity outside the University, touring, and budgetary issues outside the technical areas fall within the purview of the Producer.  As the signatory on all production contracts, the Producer is responsible for ensuring each contract is adhered to.  In order to do so, the Producer must:  

--read and approve all publicity including press releases, posters, programs, and web pages

--be advised by the production’s Director of any proposed changes to the script prior to the implementation of those changes

-- be informed by the Technical Director of any changes to the seating configuration or capacity prior to the     implementation of those changes 

--be made aware immediately of any details which could affect the theatre patrons 

 

 

 

Assistant Production Manager

This staff position supports all academic and production efforts of the department, primarily by serving as the assistant to the Chairperson and Producer.  Faculty and student production personnel are urged to consider the broad range of the Assistant Production Manager’s responsibilities before requesting assistance that might be as easily provided by another Company member.  The Assistant Production Manager manages the Department’s website and supervises production graphics, publicity and box office operations.

                           

Directing

 

Faculty Director

Routinely, members of the Theatre Department faculty direct for the Main Season.  This affords students the opportunity to learn the processes of production, rehearsal and performance under experienced leadership.  Faculty Directors conduct their projects in a way that prepares students to work in the professional theatre and its allied industries.

 

Guest directors are occasionally invited to work in the Main Season, and advanced students who have taken directing classes may submit proposals to direct in the Main Season.

                           

Guest Director

Whenever appropriate, the Department engages guest directors for the Main Season.   This practice affords students an opportunity to work in new ways and to develop a network of colleagues in the field.  Guest Directors are provided with an overview of the Department’s mission and philosophy of education and are expected to adhere to the standard production practice observed by faculty and students in Theatre Wesleyan.

 

Student Director

Students, who have successfully completed the Directing class (THA 3302) and served with distinction as Assistant Directors, Production Stage Managers, Assistant Stage Managers, or  any combination of those positions, may petition to be allowed to direct in the Main Season.   The faculty gives careful consideration to each request and makes its decision based on the best interests of the applicant, all the Department’s students and the production program.  Students approved to direct in the Main Season are assigned a Faculty Mentor who will supervise the Student Director’s work in whatever way the Mentor deems appropriate.                      

 

 

Duties of the Director

While the directing needs of any project will be unique, the basic work of directing will include the following duties:

--analyzing the text

--conducting appropriate research

--developing scene breakdowns

--scheduling and conducting open auditions

--posting a cast list

--attending design conferences and production meetings

--consulting Producer for any special personnel or material required for the production

--developing the rehearsal schedule with the Stage Manager

--allowing Designers to present their work to the Company

--blocking the play

--coordinating rehearsal time and activities with Stage Managers, Music Director, Choreographer, Dialect and              Movement Coach, Fight and Stunt Director and others who assume responsibility for rehearsing actors

--rehearsing the actors

--making run-through rehearsals open to Designers and Technicians before tech rehearsals

--collaborating with Designers and Technicians during tech and dress rehearsals

--conducting pick-up rehearsals as needed

--adding any other, specific duties necessary for the project

 

 

Student Assistant Director

Students with a particular interest in Directing are encouraged to serve as Assistant Directors.  Because of the unique nature of the work and depending on the particular production’s needs, the specific duties of the Assistant Director will vary.  Therefore, it is important that students speak directly with the faculty Director about their interest in filling this position.  In every instance, the recommendation of the faculty Director will be the major factor in filling this position.  When Guest Directors are invited to work in the Main Season, the Chairperson or the Faculty who supervises directing classes should be approached by Students who wish to be considered for Assistant Director positions.               

 

             

Stage Management

Students who wish to serve as Production Stage Manager should take the stage management course and serve as an assistant stage manager at least once before requesting an assignment.

                           

Production Stage Manager

While every job in theatre production is important, few are as broad in scope as the Production Stage Manager.  This job is typically reserved for students with a particular desire to build a body of experience in stage management and who have successfully completed the Stage Management course and have served at least once as an Assistant Stage Manager.  Students interested in this position should speak directly to individual Directors and/or the Technical Director.  Decisions concerning the assignment of stage management positions will be made by the faculty as a whole.

 

Because the Production Stage Manager function is extensive, he or she is not required to function in other production areas which impinge upon his/her primary duties as a Stage Manager, except to complete requirements for classes. 

 

Here is a list of the duties a Production Stage Manager can expect to undertake:

--Organize the entire production with the Director, making it run as smoothly as possible, on and back stage in  pre-rehearsal, rehearsal, performance, and post-performance phases

--Organize and run auditions, according to the Director's instructions

--Prepare preliminary necessary costume, sound, props and special effects plots; scene breakdown and shift  plot

--When the show is cast, compile class schedules, prepare a Company Roster, distribute it to the entire Company and post a copy on the Production Callboard

--Schedule all rehearsals with the Director

--A weekly printed schedule should be posted on the Production Callboard and distributed to the cast and the             production staff

--Assemble and maintain the prompt book, which is defined as the accurate playing text and stage business,    together with cue sheets, plots, daily records, etc., as are necessary for the actual technical and artistic operation of the production

--Coordinate all Actor calls, including rehearsals, costume fittings, photo calls, etc., with Designers, Director,             Production Coordinator, Publicity Staff and Costume Shop Staff

--Conduct all production meetings, documenting discussions and decisions

--Publish production meeting notes and distribute promptly to Director, Designers, Production Staff, Faculty Supervisors, Technical Director, Producer, Assistant Production Manager

--Attend all rehearsals, arriving early to set up; record all blocking, take notes, assist the Director however  needed, and clean up after rehearsal

--Supervise the work of the Assistant Stage Manager

--Arrange for a scheme to take and distribute line notes during the rehearsal period

--Obtain or arrange for rehearsal props and costumes from the appropriate shops and supervise their storage  during the rehearsal period

--Inform Production Staff of any changes that occur during the rehearsal process, such as changes in props, use  of the set, use of costume, etc.

--Maintain prop list throughout the entire rehearsal process. This includes notifying the Property Designer of all            changes (adds, cuts, special requirements, and specific requests from the cast and director) as soon as  possible.

--Supervise the return of all rehearsal costumes and props to shops after rehearsals or when show costumes

              and props arrive

--Write, publish and distribute the tech week schedule in conjunction with the Technical Director

--Work with the Producer to ensure release-from-class permissions as may be necessary for photo calls, public  relation appearances or touring

--Arrange for Technical Running Crews to see a run-through of the show prior to Tech Week

--Supervise all crews during tech, dress, and run; this includes monitoring attendance

--Insure that dressing rooms and other needed spaces are open for the Company

--Run technical rehearsals in conjunction with the Technical Director, Director and all Production Designers

--Run the show on performance days

--Issue Rehearsal and Run Reports to the Director, Production Coordinator, Assistant Production Manager, Technical Director, Designers and Production Staff as necessary.

--Schedule and post pick-up rehearsals and any notes from Directors or Designers during the run

--Notify the Assistant Production Manager of any temperature problems in the theatre

--Check all areas of production before ½-hour of each performance. This includes lights, props, the set, sound,            costumes, the house, and the actors.

--Set all call times for crew and actors

--Insure that dressing rooms, costume shop, properties storage and work spaces used by the company are inspected and locked after each rehearsal and performance

--Coordinate with the House Manager the closing of the theatre

--Notify Wesleyan Security to lock the building and set alarm at the end of each call in the Sone

--Strike any personal effects after closing

--Calculate rehearsal and performance hours for actors and running crew and turn them into the Technical  Director

 

Assistant Stage Manager(s)

Typically, the student serving as Assistant Stage Manager assists the Production Stage Manager in the duties listed above and in any other way deemed appropriate.  In many cases, the ASM will stay backstage during tech and dress rehearsals and during the run to facilitate the smooth running of the show and to communicate with the Production Stage Manager. 

 

Designing and Technical Theatre

Design positions are usually divided among faculty and students.  Those students wishing to pursue a design in the Main Season are encouraged to enroll in design courses and take on assistant designer positions as a means of learning the practical side of seeing a design through from concept to opening night.

                           

Assistant Designers

Because the nature of design can differ significantly from one project to another, Assistant Designers should expect to receive specific job requirements from the supervising Designer.     

 

Assistant Designers are expected to attend all Production Meetings, Technical and Dress Rehearsals and maintain clear and prompt communication with the Supervising Designer, Stage Managers and Production Staff.

 

Costume Department

Costume Designer

Costume Designers should expect to:

--Attend all scheduled conferences and production meetings

--Consult with and advise the director and the Faculty Supervisor on a regular basis

--Complete all sketches and renderings for costumes designed on time

--Prepare a costume plot

--Shop for and/or select all items pertaining to costumes

--Supervise all fittings or alterations

--Design and purchase or construct all accessory items, including gloves, hats, jewelry, etc.

--Supervise and/or approve hair styling and selection of wigs and hairpieces

--Attend make-up conferences

--Be available during tech week for consultation

--Prepare dressing lists for all characters before tech week

--Organize and conduct a costume parade when necessary

--Attend at least one run-through prior to dress rehearsal

--Attend all dress rehearsals

--Make design materials available for purposes of display and publicity

--Participate in strike in Costume Shop

--Turn in a Final Budget Report to the Technical Director

 

Student Costume Designer

Students are chosen to design costumes on the basis of having successfully completed course work in costume design and their demonstrated abilities in costume construction.  Student Designers are expected to undertake the full list of duties shown above and should expect to be particularly conscientious about communicating with the Faculty Supervisor in the costume area. 

 

Assistant to the Costume Designer

Students who serve as Assist to the Costume Designer will:

--Assist the designer in all duties listed above, and consult the designer regarding additional responsibilities

--Provide liaison between the Designer, the Stage Manager, rehearsals and respective shops

--Assume the Designer's duties in the Designer's absence

--Report to the Faculty Supervisor on a regular basis

--Attend and document all scheduled meetings and conferences

--Assist with the "Show and Tell" of designs for the cast and crew, including set-up

--Locate or fabricate accessories

--Attend and document all fittings

--Attend all dress rehearsals

--Attend all previews as assigned by designer

--Participate in strike as assigned

 

Student Costume Shop Assistant

Costume Shop Assistants run errands, serve as Wardrobe Supervisor, and assist all costume personnel by pulling, constructing, altering and laundering costumes as directed.

 

Costume Construction Crew

Students assigned to the Costume Construction Crew will assist shop personnel in any assignments. Tasks may include: hand sewing, machine sewing, finishing work, some craft projects, shopping, running errands, laundry, clean-up of shops.

 

Costume Running Crew Procedures

Students serving on running crew for the Costume Area will:

--be responsible for organizing the dressing rooms

--remain in the dressing areas to assist Actors in and out of costume, including quick changes, and to deal with               emergencies. At no time are crew members to leave the backstage area without the expressed  permission of the Stage Manager.

--post a list in each dressing room for the actors to note any repairs needed before the next performance

--carry out repairs reported to the Wardrobe Head

--do laundry on an “as needed” basis

--maintain the costume room in good order, replacing all equipment and materials neatly in the proper storage areas before leaving the theatre

--strike all garments at the appropriate time

 

Student Dresser

Students serving as Dressers will:

--assist the Actors in getting into their costumes

--assist the Actors in quick changes

--do daily laundry

--organize and maintain the dressing rooms

--do appropriate paperwork

--be responsible for labeling clothing racks and costumes

 

Actors’ Responsibility for Costumes

Actors are expected to take responsibility for the care of their costumes in these ways:

--If the actor has costume changes in a show, he or she must check all garments and accessories before curtain; any irregularities should be discussed with the costume running crew

--After every performance, the Actor is responsible for checking in all pieces of his or her costume. If an item is           missing, the Actor is responsible for finding it before he or she leaves the theatre.

--After each performance the Actor must clean his or her make up area and leave the space tidy; dispose of all trash each day

--Any major repairs must be reported to the Wardrobe Head, who will notify the costume shop by the following            morning; laundry is done on an “as needed” basis

 

Costume Shop Rules and Procedures

The Texas Wesleyan Costume Shop, its inventory and supplies are the property of the Texas Wesleyan Theatre Department.   

Students are never to assume the Costume Shop is not an extension of their closets.  Students are not allowed to ‘play dress-up’ or select a costume for any occasion without permission. 

 

The Costume Shop Manager of Texas Wesleyan University must approve all loans and rentals of the Department’s inventory.  No Student is at liberty to lend, rent or borrow anything in the shop.  This includes all make-up supplies and wigs, bed linens and various other Wesleyan property.  

 

Those students whose production assignment is in the Costume Shop are expected to follow these instructions:

--Be on time to shop assignments

--Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.  Bleach, dyes, dust, etc. will damage clothing.  During some periods of           production, students assigned to the Costume Shop may be sent to the Scene Shop, so proper “shop” attire is required at all times.

--Keep all personal items in the areas designated for them.  Lockers are available for Costume Shop Assistants and costume class students.    If there are any empty lockers, they may used by any theatre student.

--Keep all food and drink in the designated areas at the east end of the Costume Shop.  Students are expected  to be conscientious about cleaning up after themselves by disposing of all food and trash properly. We do not want to encourage vermin.

--Do not use any equipment that you do not know how to operate properly.  

--Upon the completion of your assigned task, put all supplies away in the proper place and clean your work area.

--Accept your assigned tasks cheerfully and willingly.

--If you are negligent in your duties, procrastinate or ignore instructions and assignments you will not receive  your shop credit hours.

Do not play with personal or theatre items at the make-up stations during a production.  The Actors should feel that they can leave their things in their area and not have them disturbed.

 

Graphics and Publicity

Graphic Designer  

Student Graphic Designers work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Production Manager, who will review each production’s requirements and deadlines prior to the first production meeting. 

 

The Graphic Designer’s Duties include:

--Determining with the Assistant Production Manager specific days and times for working on the design in the             Theatre Office

--Meeting all deadlines as assigned by the Assistant Production Manager

--Attending all production meetings

--Consulting with the Director and Scenic Designer

--Determining publicity options (flyers, mailers, show boards, etc.) and discussing those ideas with the Assistant        Production Manager

--Having initial sketches and drafts prepared for the first production meeting

--Determining the need for publicity materials along with expected quantities so that a quote can be obtained

--Staying within the assigned budget

--Developing preliminary design for program graphic

--Getting preliminary design approved before beginning work on the final design

--Creating flyers, posters, post-cards and other publicity material within the deadline

--Obtaining all necessary program information, including acknowledgments, by consulting with the Stage Manager, Faculty Supervisors and Designers by the assigned date

--Creating a PDF of Flyer and publicity material for email

--Determining a day and time for publicity photos by discussing ideas with the Costume Designer, Director and Stage Manager

--Getting the program proofed by all Designers, Faculty Supervisors and Performers

--Securing approval of the final drafts by the Producer prior to printing

 

The timetable for publicity work begins early in the production process, and the Assistant Projection manager must insure that required deadlines are met.  Student Graphic Designers who fail to meet established deadlines or fail to show up for assigned work time in the Theatre Office will be removed from the project by the Assistant Production Manager.

 

Lighting Department

Lighting Designer

The duties of the Lighting Designer include:

--attending and preparing for all scheduled conferences and production meetings

--consulting with and advising the Director and the Faculty Supervisor on a regular basis

--Preparing research materials for the production to support the concept of the production

--Creating a visual or descriptive representation of lighting ideas or intentions

--Completing proper lighting paperwork and delivering it to the Master Electrician at least five days before light

               hang.  This paperwork includes:

              --Lightplot (1/4” or ½” Scale)

              --Lighting Section

              --Instrument Schedule

              --Magic Sheet

              --Equipment List,

              --Effects List 

--Completing a list of expendables and delivering it to the Master Electrician and Technical Director at least  seven business days prior to light hang. 

--Being on-call during the light hang for questions 

--Cueing the lighting console with required cues prior to the Cue-to-Cue rehearsal 

--Attending all technical and dress rehearsals and correcting any lighting issues

--Maintain the show, be on call to assist in major lighting issues and problems during the run of the show

--Participating actively in strike. 

--Maintaining the lighting production budget with the Master Electrician

--Turn in a Final Budget Report to the Technical Director     

 

Student Lighting Designer

Students are chosen to serve as the Lighting Designer on the basis of having successfully completed course work in lighting design. Student designers are expected to undertake the full list of duties shown above and should expect to be particularly conscientious about communicating with the faculty supervisor in lighting design.

                           

Master Electrician

The Master Electrician is responsible for all of the physical and technical requirements of the lighting design.

--Meeting with the Lighting Designer a minimum of five days before the load-in to go over the plot and  paperwork. Any special requirements or equipment should be discussed before this date.

--Checking that all of the equipment on the shop order is available. Check shop for needed tools.

--Supervising the preparation of any elements of the design that can be wired/built/found before the load-in

--Planning the cabling of the design

--Determining the use of circuits, including the hanging of on-stage circuit boxes

--Arranging for any equipment rental or for the purchase of gel and templates

--Supervising the crew in the hanging and cabling of the plot, including the wiring of practicals and special effects

--Supervising the cutting of gel and the gelling of instruments

--Supervising the focusing crew

--Supervising any changes requested by the Designer

--Program (or oversee the programming of) the light board during level set and technical rehearsals

--Training the assigned board operator for the run of the show

--Maintaining the show up to the closing of the production by attending all changeovers with dimmer/focus checks

--Returning all rented or borrowed equipment to its home and in its proper condition in conjunction with the Designer

--Turning in a Final Budget Report to the Technical Director

 

Electrician

The Electrician assists the Master Electrician in performing the physical and mechanical needs of the production.  Electrician duties vary by production, but include:

--Light Board Operator

--Deck Electrician –running crew for any onstage lighting needs or effects

--Spot Operator

--Special Effects Operator

--Following all safety procedures and rules 

--Wearing proper attire.  (Closed toed shoes, hair tied back, no dangling jewelry, and no baggy clothes)

--Signing in to the shop as you arrive and sign out as you leave

 

Makeup and Hair Department

Makeup Designer

The duties of the Designer of Make-up, whether faculty or student, will include:

--Meeting with the Costume Designer 6 weeks before first dress to assess the special needs of the show in terms of facial hair, prosthetics, and make-up    

--Attending production meetings

--Providing all special make-up with permission of faculty supervisor.  Actors are expected to provide their own basic make up supplies.

--Providing for styling, cutting and coloring of all hair and wigs

--Producing prosthetics or facial hair

--Running all make-up conferences with Costume Designer, Actors, and Make-up Crew in attendance.

--Attending first or second make-up rehearsals (1st, 2nd or 3rd dress, depending on director's needs)

--Keeping all paperwork on the show:

              Checkout sheets

              Order forms

              Face sheets

--Helping implement all notes

--Working with crew to provide any supplies needed to continue the run of the show.

--Striking all make-up with crew at last performance and overseeing the clean up of the makeup area

--Checking in all supplies, cleaning and storing all wigs, brushes, beards, make-up, etc.

 

Properties Department

Properties Designer

The duties of the Properties Designer include:

--Attending and preparing for all scheduled conferences and production meetings

--Consulting with and advising the Director and the Faculty Supervisor on a regular basis

--Designing the properties for the production in consultation with the Scenic Designer to ensure design continuity.

--Preparing research materials for the production to support the concept of the production

--Creating an initial props list by the second production meeting 

--Working with the Stage Manager to maintain an active props list

--Creating a Rendering, pictorial research, or sketches to explain the design choices and intentions

--Completing proper prop elevations and construction drawings on time as set in the production schedule     

--Being on-call during the build, painting, and installation for questions 

--Working with the Stage Manager to coordinate prop changes as needed

--Attending all technical and dress rehearsals to address any prop issues

--Supervising the purchase, finding, and building of all props 

--Supervising the selection of pulled and found props to ensure design continuity

--Participating actively in strike.

--Maintaining the props production budget with the Technical Director

--Turning in a Final Budget Report to the Technical Director

 

Scenic Department                           

Scenic Designer

The duties of the Scenic Designer include:

--Attending and preparing for all scheduled conferences and production meetings

--Consulting with and advising the Director and the Faculty Supervisor on a regular basis

--Designing the scenery and set props for the production

--Preparing research materials for the production to support the concept of the production

--Creating a model or rendering(s) to explain the design

--Completing proper scenic drawings on time as set in the production schedule.  This paperwork includes: Ground Plans, Sections, Elevations 

--Providing painter’s elevations to the shop one week prior to painting 

--Being on-call during the build, painting, and installation for questions 

--Working with the Stage Manager to coordinate scenic changes as needed

--Attending all technical and dress rehearsals to address any scenic issues

--Supervising the selection of pulled and found props to ensure design continuity

--Participating actively in strike

--Turning in a Final Budget Report to the Technical Director

 

Student Scenic Designer

Students are chosen to serve as the Scenic Designer on the basis of having successfully completed course work in scenic design. Student designers are expected to undertake the full list of duties shown above and should expect to be particularly conscientious about communicating with the Faculty Supervisor in scenic design. 

 

Sound Department             

Sound Designer

The duties of the Sound designer include:

--Attending and preparing for all scheduled conferences and production meetings

--Consulting with and advising the Director and the Faculty Supervisor on a regular basis

--Preparing research materials for the production to support the concept of the production

--Creating a descriptive representation of sound ideas or intentions

--Completing proper sound paperwork and delivering it to the Master Electrician and Sound Engineer at least five days before sound hang.  This paperwork includes:

              --Soundplot (1/4” or ½” Scale)

              --Sound Section

              --Hook Up

              --Cue Sheet

              --Equipment List

              --Effects List 

--Completing list of expendables and delivering it to the Master Electrician and Technical Director at least seven          business days prior to sound hang. 

--Being on-call during the sound hang for questions 

--Cueing the sound console with required cues prior to the Cue to Cue rehearsal 

--Attending all technical and dress rehearsals and correcting any sound issues

--Maintaining the show, being on call to assist in major sound issues and problems during the run of the show

--Participating actively in strike

--Maintaining the sound production budget with the Technical Director

--Turning in a Final Budget Report to the Technical Director

 

Technical Direction and Stage Crew

Student Technical Director

The Technical Director is responsible for all of the physical and technical requirements of the Scenic and Props design in consultation with the Faculty Technical Director.

--Attending and preparing for all scheduled conferences and production meetings

--Assisting in the coordination of overlapping areas of design

--Consulting with and advising the Director and the Faculty Supervisor on a regular basis

--Working with the Scenic and Props Designers to maintain and stay within budget 

--Working with the Scenic Designer to determine materials and construction methods 

--Working with the Props Designer to determine materials and construction methods

--Preparing shop working drawings and materials list for the Shop Foreman

--Assisting the Faculty Technical Director in materials ordering and acquisition 

--Coordinating the build, paint, and load-in schedule with the Faculty Technical Director and Shop Foreman

--Arranging for equipment rentals, with the assistance of the Faculty Technical Director

--Supervising the load-in and setup of set, props and special effects

--Supervising and training the tech crews during tech week

--Attending all technical and dress rehearsals to address any issues that arise

--Supervising any changes requested by the Designer

--Being on-call for major scenic repairs or issues during the run of show

--Returning all rented or borrowed equipment or props to its home and in its proper condition in conjunction with the Designer

--Coordinating load-out and strike, with the assistance of the Faculty Technical Director

--Turning in a Final Budget Report to the Technical Director

 

Stage Crew (Scenery and Props)

Students serving as Stage Crew will:

--assist in the setup, changing and strike of props and scenery

--attend a run-through rehearsal prior to tech rehearsals

--do daily maintenance

--organize and maintain the props and scenery

--complete appropriate paperwork

 

Carpenters and Painters

Students working as Carpenters and Painters will:

--Assist the Technical Director and Shop Foreman in performing the physical and mechanical needs of the production

--Follow all safety procedures and rules

--Wear proper attire.  (Closed toed shoes, hair tied back, no dangling jewelry, and no baggy clothes)

--Sign in to the shop as you arrive and sign out as you leave           

 

 

Production Support Personnel

                           

Dramaturg

Some productions require the assistance of this specialist in research or in text work.  Student Dramaturgs will conduct research at the direction of the play’s Director and Designers and make the findings available to all members of the Company.  Students who wish to work in this capacity should speak directly with the Director of any play they are interested in.

 

Accent & Dialect Coach

When productions require that the Actors use foreign or regional accents or dialects of English, a Dialect or Accent Coach may be assigned.  Typically, this is a member of the faculty or a student who has successfully completed the Theatre Voice course (THA 2307) and the Dialects course (THA 4311).  The Coach’s specific responsibilities will be requested by and coordinated with the production’s Director.  It is usual to expect the Dialect/Accent Coach to:

--develop a set of key sound substitutions and dynamics notes and teach them to the appropriate actors

--provide the actors with audio recordings of relevant accents and dialects

--monitor actors’ dialects and accents in rehearsal and provide corrective notes

--arrange for private coaching sessions when necessary

 --assist the Director in any other way deemed appropriate within the scope of speech and accent work

 

Choreographer, Movement Coach, Fight Director

When deemed appropriate, the Department may engage a Choreographer, Movement Coach or Fight Director to assist in the staging of plays and musicals.  As in the case of Guest Directors, this practice affords students an opportunity to work in new ways and to develop a network of colleagues in the field. Guest Choreographers, Movement Coaches and Fight Directors are provided with an overview of the Department’s mission and philosophy of education and are expected to adhere to the standard production practice exercised by faculty and students in Theatre Wesleyan.

 

Performing

Actors

Student Actors must respect all the traditional values of theatre performers by observing the following procedures and rules.

 

For Auditions

Every student is eligible for any role in the Main Season.  Directors strive to match student actors to the role in a way that best serves the play, its production and the student’s growth.

 

Actors are expected to:

--audition for all shows in the Main Season.  Under rare circumstances, exceptions will be made.  Any student seeking permission not to audition must obtain it from the show’s Director.

--sign up for an audition appointment, when required.

--sign in and out as directed by the Stage Management staff.

        Each actor is to keep a record of the time spent outside of rehearsal preparing the performance. This may include research, learning lines, developing characterizations, studying accents and dialects, practicing movement or choreography, coaching sessions with qualified individuals, etc. These Outside Preperation Hours are to be reported on the "Green Sheets" made available to actors at the first rehearsal and turned into Jeanne Everton at the Practicum immediately following the Strike of the production. She will approve the hours, tabulate totals and report them to the Technical Director to be added to other production hours.

--provide accurate information about their class and work schedules.  Care should be taken when filling out schedule information, as no student can expect a Director to accommodate a “forgotten” appointment, class, job or trip.

--read the complete text of the play or musical prior to the audition.  Perusal copies are available through the Theatre Department Office.

--prepare to audition for any and all roles.

--accept roles offered by initialing your name on the cast list posted on the Callboard 

 

Rehearsal Period

During the period of rehearsals and while the show is being built, actors are expected to:

--maintain substantially the same physical appearance as when cast unless a change is required by or authorized by the director and/or designers.  That means Actors cannot cut their hair, shave facial hair or change hair color without permission of the Costume Designer and Director.

--sign in and out as directed by the Stage Management staff

--maintain a personal record of all rehearsal hours, in rehearsal and outside rehearsal

-- be prompt at all calls and appear at the theatre no later than the designated call

--be prompt and professional at photo calls

--attend every call to the Costume department for measurements, fittings and work with hair and makeup

--contact the Production Stage Manager in the event of unforeseen delay.  In order to start work on time, the Stage Manager needs to know your estimated time of arrival.  Being late for rehearsal is unacceptable; do not waste other people’s time.

--contact the Production Stage Manager or the director in the case of illness that prevents them from rehearsing.  Please make this call as early in the day as possible so that alternate rehearsals plans can be made.  As a rule of thumb, if an actor is too ill to attend classes or scheduled work calls, he or she is too ill to attend rehearsal. 

-- appear at rehearsals or performances warmed up and ready to work. Eat your dinner before you come.  If that’s impossible, bring food that is easy to eat out of hand and will not create a mess or strong odors in the rehearsal space. 

--carry a water bottle; stay hydrated

--brush your teeth and apply deodorant before you report to rehearsal.  To help prevent allergic reactions, do not wear strong perfumes.

--fasten your hair out of your face unless you are directed to do otherwise

--bring a jacket or sweater or dress in layers.  The temperature in the theatre is highly unpredictable

--write down all blocking and notes delivered during and at the close of rehearsal

--wear shoes for rehearsal that are appropriate to the play and the role.  Unless your character will wear flip- flops or appear onstage in bare feet, proper footwear must be worn in rehearsals.  Directors reserve the  right to disallow footwear that hinders character work, such as heavy work boots or platform shoes.

--arrange with Stage Management or Costume Shop personnel for rehearsal attire such as long skirts, jackets, hats, etc.  After rehearsal it is the Actor’s responsibility to stow these items as required by the costume shop and Stage Management.  Items borrowed for rehearsal may not be taken from the theatre.

--meet deadlines for learning lines and songs, blocking and speech or accent work, as well as any other tasks assigned by the Director or Stage Management

--use only erasable pencil when writing in rented scores and libretti that must be returned to the publisher

--contribute to the success of every actor in the show by focusing on the work at hand, staying connected to scene partners, and incorporating notes from previous rehearsals

--avoid distracting other Actors when you are not on stage by staying still and quiet or leaving the area after telling Stage Management where you can be found  

--respect the work of others by remaining quiet when you are offstage

--perform your work as directed by the Stage Manager, throughout the rehearsal period and run of the production

--returning to work promptly after breaks in rehearsal

 

Technical & Dress Rehearsals and Performances

During these rehearsals and performances Actors must:

--be patient and quiet during delays in technical rehearsals to give Designers and Technicians the opportunity to

              polish their work  

--bring water, a little food and dress in layers

--take particular care with wigs, prosthetics, and facial hair provided by the Makeup Crew

--provide their basic makeup. If the Actor is in doubt about what constitutes basic stage makeup, he or she should talk with the Makeup Designer or the Costume Designer

-- respect the efforts of the Costume Designer and Crew by taking care that all costumes are handled with care by:

              --hanging up costumes in the appropriate area

              --removing costumes for the purposes of smoking at intermission

              --refraining from eating or drinking anything but water while in costume

--check show properties before the ½-hour call and properly care for all properties

--report promptly for pre-show sound checks, vocal warm-ups, movement and fight calls and allow time for them when calculating the time you need to prepare for the show

--respect the physical property of the production and the theatre.  It is everyone’s responsibility to guard against damage to scenery, props, costumes and the playing space.

--not expect nor ask the Director to alter rehearsal hours for reason of employment conflicts or vacation plans

--help keep the rehearsal space clean and free from litter and to help restore the space to order at the direction of the Stage Manager at the end of each rehearsal.

--maintain a clean and neat makeup station.  Dispose of tissues and other  trash.  Keep