Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Introduction to Scenic Design will introduce elements of technical theater including practical hands-on experience designing, building, installing and decorating mainstage set(s)(number of sets may vary). The lecture/lab format provides time for individualized projects.

The student will:

• Perform script analysis techniques necessary to glean visual information required for the design.

• Demonstrate the pros and cons of three traditional stage types: Proscenium, Thrust and Arena as approached from a student scenic designer’s viewpoint.

• Produce scaled ground plans, sectional drawings and construction drawings pertinent to a specified script and a particular stage type stated above.  

Assessment shall include:

• An examination based on the text readings and lecture materials.

• A group of scaled drawings, including: ground plan, sectionals and construction drawings.

• A scaled scenic model.

• A cumulative final scenic design project.

• At least two of the following additional measures:

a. Graded homework
b. Group projects  
c. Attendance and participation  
d. Shop projects  
e. Participation in the technical crew for the mainstage production  

• Develop a scenic design from an assigned play script.

Assessment Basis:

• Evaluation of the design and building of props, scenery, lighting and costumes for the mainstage show.

• Successful performance of the selected/assigned tech crew position for the mainstage show.

• How to think visually-taking written ideas from a particular dramatic script and describing them:

a. Visually - Through sketches and scaled drawings  
b. Physically - Through a scaled model  
c. Verbally - Through oral communication skills  

• Understanding the theatre production design process:

a. Script - As the source for the design  
b. Sketches & drawings -Demonstrating an initial visual design  
b. Scaled drawings -Demonstrating the finished design via 2 dimensional medium
c. Models -Demonstrating the finished design via a 3 dimensional medium  
d. Finished stage scenery - Participate in the realization of the final stage design  

Competencies/Skills:

• Creating drafting paperwork:

a. Ground plans  
b. Sectionals  
c. Construction drawings

• Reading & executing drafting paperwork properly.

• Successfully working with materials and tools & equipment common to a stage & scene shop.

• Installing & decorating scenery for a mainstage show.

• Reading a script and transforming your thoughts into a tangible scenic entity through the following visual works:

a. Thumbnail sketch(s)  
b. Scaled drawings  
c. Colored/Textured rendering(s)  
d. Scaled model(s)  

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills:

• TA 111, Fundamentals of Technical Theatre is preferred, but not required.

• Oral and written command of college level English is suggested.