12/27/2024 9:04:14 AM	THAR 25.3 Course Outline as of Spring 2019	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 25.3	Title:  PRODUCTION HOUSE STAFF
Full Title:  Production Lab: House Staff
Last Reviewed:4/23/2018

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	0		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	0
Minimum	.50	Lab Scheduled	0		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	9.00			Contact DHR	157.50
		Contact Total	9.00			Contact Total	157.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  0.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  34 - 4 Enrollments Total
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Practical experience as a member of the house staff for public theatre performances. Students will complete crewing responsibilities during final rehearsals and performances for one to two Theatre Arts productions during the semester.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 2

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Practical experience as a member of the house staff for public theatre performances. Students will complete crewing responsibilities during final rehearsals and performances for one to two Theatre Arts productions during the semester.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 2
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:34 - 4 Enrollments Total

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2005	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2005	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: THTR 192	Technical Theatre in Production	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): THAR25 OR THAR25.1 OR THAR25.2 OR THAR25.3 OR THAR25.4 OR THAR25.5

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Apply discipline-specific skills to front of house production practices

      throughout the final preparation and process of public performance.

2.  Implement basic public relations techniques and theatre safety procedures,

      while correctly following protocol within the theatre hierarchy.

3.  Support the work of the rest of a production ensemble, collaborating and

      working cooperatively within a team structure.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the professional responsibilities of a house staff member

    associated with the preparation and performance of a theatrical

    production before a paying public audience.

2. Prioritize tasks in an environment with multiple and competing

    demands.

3. Utilize basic theatre terminology within the process.

4. Exhibit the discipline of front of house protocol.

5. Adhere to the communication hierarchy of the theatre structure.

6. Interpret and fulfill instructions accurately, working calmly under

    pressure.

7. Quickly assess situations and adapt accordingly within production and

    performance environments.

8. Practice good public relations, interacting positively and diplomatically

    with theatre patrons and members of the community.

9. Demonstrate knowledge of public safety and emergency procedures in

    a theatre environment.

 

Students repeating the course will be preparing and performing house staff

responsibilities in conjunction with entirely different theatrical

productions.  Repeating students will:

   - Work with different directorial and managerial styles, as well as

     production processes.

   - Participate in the presentation of different theatrical works,

     supporting different artistic visions by maintaining the desired

     front-of-house environment as a member of the house staff.

   - Gain greater proficiency in public relations, improving

     house staff skills while interacting with diverse audiences.

Topics and Scope

Students in this course will be assigned to the house crew of one to two

productions.  Topics of instruction fall into two categories - Orientation Topics

and Position-Specific Topics.  Potential front of house assignments include:

    Usher

    Concessions assistant

    Box Office assistant

    Publicity assistant

    Lobby Display assistant

    Special Events assistant

 

ORIENTATION TOPICS

I.  Working With the Production Ensemble

    A. Director

    B. Technical director

    C. Stage management

    D. Designers

    E. Technicians

    F. Actors

    G. Front of house

    H. Business and administration

II. Theatre Professionalism, Communication, and Procedures

    A. Theatre etiquette and protocol

    B. Basic theatre terminology

    C. Locations of facilities and resources

    D. Theatrical hierarchy

    E. Production framework

    F. Managing time, health, and personal responsibilities

    G. General safety and emergency procedures

III. About the Production(s)

    A. The script's historical context and style

    B. Director's concept

    C. Scenery and properties design

    D. Other design interpretations

    E. Technical responsibilities

    F. Special technical responsibilities

IV. Working During a Performance Situation

    A. Production attire

    B. Production safety

    C. Working calmly under stress

    D. Handling others' nerves

    E. Prioritizing and adapting

    F. Staying focused and alert

    G. Handling the unexpected

 

POSITION-SPECIFIC TOPICS:  The student will receive instruction on the following,

specific to the production position assignments to which they have been assigned.

 

I. Learning the Position Responsibilities

    A. Position-specific terminology

    B. Interpreting instructions

    C. Front of House supervising staff

         1. House manager

         2. Assistant house manager

         3. Box office manager

         4. Publicity coordinator

     D. Basic tools and equipment

     E. Resource management

     F. Special production demands

II. Public Relations

    A. Personal appearance and professional attire

    B. Interacting with the public

         1. Answering questions

         2. Handling complaints

         3. Listening and timing in communication

III. Production-Specific Issues

    A. Patrons with special needs

         1. Seating and assisting disabled patrons

         2. Production elements and health concerns

              (strobe lights, particulate matter, etc.)

         3. Hearing assistance

         4. Interpreted performances

         5. Content concerns (strong language, sexual references, etc.)

     B. Handling money (For Box Office and Concessions)   

     C. Working in the theatre (For Ushers)  

          1. Handling late seating and disruptive patrons

         2. Audience protocol

         3. Programs

         4. Seating configurations

              a. General vs assigned seating

              b. Seat numbering system

    D. Facilities and resource maintenance

IV. Emergency Procedures with an Audience

    A. Location of emergency exits

    B. Evacuation procedures

    C. Location of emergency equipment

V. Working During a Performance Situation

    A. Working calmly under stress

    B. Handling others' nerves

    C. Prioritizing and adapting

    D. Staying focused and alert

    E. Handling the unexpected

 

Repeating students will:

1. Develop higher proficiency in each of the position-specific techniques listed above,

    either in the same position and/or other front-of-house positions.

2. Apply techniques to different plays each semester.

Assignments:

I. Complete position-specific assignments - either IA. or IB.:

    A. Ushers, Concessions, Box Office Assistants:  

          Complete all house crew responsibilities for the Preview and

         performances for one to two productions during the semester.

         1. Participate in pre-show preparation process before each

              performance.

         2. Perform assigned responsibilities during each performance.

         3. Participate in post-show process after each performance, leaving

              only when released by house manager or faculty supervisor.

    B. Publicity Assistant; Lobby Display Assistant; Special Events Assistant:

           Complete all position responsibilities as outlined in the position guidelines

           for one to two productions during the semester.

II. Attend all scheduled orientations to which the student is called:

    A. Attend the introductory THAR 25 Series meeting (held the second

         Tuesday of each semester).

    B. Attend full company presentations prior to each production's Tech

         Week (for all students in THAR 25/THAR 11 Series assigned to show).

    C. Become familiar with each production by watching an on-stage run-

         through, prior to the formal start of position responsibilities.

    D. Communicate all potential schedule conflicts prior to finalizing

         position assignments with instructor. Conflicts submitted late may

         be turned down by the instructor or may result in removal from the

         production/class.

    E. Respond promptly and dependably to all calls.

III. Adhere to the standards of professionalism:

    A. Maintain an amiable and supportive attitude when interacting with

         the public, as well as other members of the production ensemble.

    B. Respectfully follow instructions in the preparation of the position

         and maintain that direction in performance.

    C. Perform assigned position in a conscientious and dedicated manner.

    D. Follow the terms of the course syllabus, as well as position-specific guidelines.

    E. Maintain good health and safety practices throughout the rehearsal

         and performance process.

IV. Provide and wear required attire for performances.

    A. House staff wear black dress slacks or skirts, and white shirts.

    B. Other front of house positions should dress neatly and respectably.

V. Complete time cards accurately and submit them in a timely manner.

 

Repeating students will demonstrate increased depth and breadth in completion of assignments.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 60 - 80%
Front of house assignment(s)
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 20 - 40%
Attendance and Professionalism

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Script(s) for selected productions.

 

Instructor prepared materials

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