PP 101 Production For Actors
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
This course introduces the beginning acting student to all of the production disciplines. Provides a working vocabulary and basic understanding of backstage organization.
Open to Theater majors only.
PP 111 Theater Graphics I
3 Credits, Fall
The year-long introductory course for all performance production majors. Introduces the tools and techniques of graphical communication for theatrical design, including drafting (hand as well as an introduction to CAD), rendering and model making techniques, research for the designer and technician and basic vocabulary.
PP 112 Theater Graphics II
3 Credits, Spring
The year-long introductory course for all performance production majors. Introduces the tools and techniques of graphical communication for theatrical design, including drafting (hand as well as an introduction to CAD), rendering and model making techniques, research for the designer and technician and basic vocabulary.
PP 141 Fund. of Technical Production I
3 Credits, Fall
The year-long course that provides training in the skills and techniques related to the operation of modern scenic and costume construction shops, along with an introduction to the historical background and traditions of the related crafts.
PP 142 Fund. of Technical Production II
3 Credits, Spring
The year-long course that provides training in the skills and techniques related to the operation of modern scenic and costume construction shops, along with an introduction to the historical background and traditions of the related crafts.
Prereq: PP 141
PP 151 Production Lab I
2 Credits, Fall
The year-long course providing hands-on production experience in carpentry, props, costumes, sound, lighting, and stage management. Students perform duties on actual staged productions.
PP 152 Production Lab II
2 Credits, Spring
The year-long course providing hands-on production experience in carpentry, props, costumes, sound, lighting, and stage management. Students perform duties on actual staged productions.
PP 165 Intro to Production Design 2D
2 Credits, Spring
The first in a two semester sequence covering the basic principles of design and design terminology. This semester concentrates on 2D design elements with projects in black, white shades of gray and beginning elements of color theory.
PP 181 Literature of Theater I
2 Credits, Fall
Explore a wide range of classical and modern plays, as well as important writing on performance and design. Reading from the plays, exploring their dramatic structure, and discussing the relevance of each text will be the focus of class time.
NOTE: Students should be prepared to buy anthologies plus supplemental readings each term.
PP 182 Literature of Theater II
2 Credits, Spring
Explore a wide range of classical and modern plays, as well as important writing on performance and design. Reading from the plays, exploring their dramatic structure, and discussing the relevance of each text will be the focus of class time.
NOTE: Students should be prepared to buy anthologies plus supplemental readings each term.
PP 201 Drawing for Performance Production
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
Drawing is the lingua franca of all fine and applied arts. Through analysis, synthesis and composition, we will explore the practice of drawing as a better way to communicate our knowledge of the physical world. Includes introduction to both basic drawing and life drawing technique.
PP 211 Scenic Fundamentals
3 Credits, Fall/Spring
Introduces a method of conceptual design for all Performance Production Students, with focus on advancing communication of ideas through drafting, perspective drawing, model making and on the process of constructive critical response.
Prereq: PP 111/112
PP 231 Lighting Fundamentals
3 Credits, Fall/Spring
Provides basic skills and knowledge required in the area of stage lighting design. Covers topics such as electricity, color theory of light, stage lighting equipment, and light plots.
Prereq: PP 111/112
PP 251 Production Lab III
3 Credits, Fall
This yearlong course is a continuation of PP 151–152 Production Lab I & II. Students take on increasingly more responsible production assignments while working in a supervisory capacity with first-year lab students.
PP 252 Production Lab IV
3 Credits, Spring
This yearlong course is a continuation of PP 151–152 Production Lab I & II. Students take on increasingly more responsible production assignments while working in a supervisory capacity with first-year lab students.
PP 261 Theater History I
3 Credits, Fall
Study the evolution of the art and crafts of theater through the ages. Consider the relationship of drama, acting styles, playing space, social conditions, methods of production, and aesthetic values within their historical contexts in selected eras from the Greeks to the twentieth century.
Prereq: PP 181 or 182
PP 262 Theater History II
3 Credits, Spring
Study the evolution of the art and crafts of theater through the ages. Consider the relationship of drama, acting styles, playing space, social conditions, methods of production, and aesthetic values within their historical contexts in selected eras from the Greeks to the twentieth century.
Prereq: PP 261 or TH 261
PP 265 Intro to Production Design 3D
2 Credits, Fall
The second in a two semester sequence covering the basic principles of design and design terminology, this course turns to three dimensional projects in the continued exploration.
Prereq: PP 165
PP 271 Basic Sound Engineering
2 Credits, Fall
Provides an understanding of sound, its measurement, and the equipment used to control and produce it. Focus is primarily on live sound reinforcement, including both analog and digital equipment. Recording is touched on as a component of sound reinforcement work, but studio recording is not the focus of the course. Students will encounter some mathematics and technical detail. Hands-on exposure to equipment is very limited.
PP 301 Stage Management I
3 Credits, Fall
Explores the stage manager’s duties throughout the production process. May include assignment as stage manager of a Cornish production.
Prereq: PP 112, 141 and 142
PP 302 Stage Management II
3 Credits, Spring
Explores the stage manager’s duties throughout the production process. May include assignment as stage manager of a Cornish production.
Prereq: PP 112, 141 and 142
PP 311 Intermediate Studio I
3 to 6 Credits, Fall
Making up the core in-major component of the third year, Intermediate Studio classes explore the theory and practices of all the design and technical areas of Performance Production. Students, faculty from all production areas, and occasional guest artists meet together weekly in seminar format to explore the process of a functioning performance company, with the emphasis placed on the collaborative experience. Additionally, students will meet once a week with head instructors of specific areas for in-depth study in their chosen concentration of either Scenic, Lighting, Costume, Sound Design, or Technical Direction. In each concentration, students will study the theories and practices of the profession, together with the history and traditions of the discipline. Class projects are designed to closely mirror the realities of the working performance company and may occasionally involve actual productions. Students may study more than one area of concentration during the course of the semester, depending on the number of credits in which they are enrolled.
Prereq: PP 112, 141 and 142
PP 312 Intermediate Studio II
3 to 6 Credits, Spring
Making up the core in-major component of the third year, Intermediate Studio classes explore the theory and practices of all the design and technical areas of Performance Production. Students, faculty from all production areas, and occasional guest artists meet together weekly in seminar format to explore the process of a functioning performance company, with the emphasis placed on the collaborative experience. Additionally, students will meet once a week with head instructors of specific areas for in-depth study in their chosen concentration of either Scenic, Lighting, Costume, Sound Design, or Technical Direction. In each concentration, students will study the theories and practices of the profession, together with the history and traditions of the discipline. Class projects are designed to closely mirror the realities of the working performance company and may occasionally involve actual productions. Students may study more than one area of concentration during the course of the semester, depending on the number of credits in which they are enrolled.
Prereq: PP 112, 141 and 142
PP 351 Production Practicum
3 Credits, Fall/Spring
Students assume major responsibilities for mainstage productions, under faculty/staff supervision. Requires minimum of 135 hours work during production work sessions to pass. Student is responsible for arranging their schedule to meet requirement.
PP 353 Production Practicum
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
Students assume major responsibilities for main-stage productions, under faculty/staff supervision. Requires minimum of 90 hours work during production work sessions to pass. Student is responsible for arranging their schedule to meet requirement.
PP 355 Production Practicum
1 Credit, Fall/Spring
Students assume major responsibilities for main-stage productions, under faculty/staff supervision. Requires minimum of 45 hours work during production work sessions to pass.
Student is responsible for arranging their schedule to meet requirement.
PP 361 Contemporary Theater Studies
3 Credits, Fall
Continued examination of the theory and practice of theater in the modern era.
PP 371 Scene Painting
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
A hands-on study of the basic techniques and materials of the scenic artist.
PP 396–399 Independent Study
1 to 4 Credits
Focuses on a special project of the student’s choice and design that is unavailable within the regular curriculum. Junior standing and permission from Department Chair required.
PP 401 Advanced Sound Design
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
Individual projects in designing sound for theatrical productions. May include assignments on actual productions. “C” or better in Sound Section of PP 311/312 required.
Prereq: PP 311 and 312
PP 411 Advanced Scene Design
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
Individual projects in designing scenery for theatrical productions. May include assignments on actual productions. “C” or better in Scenic Section of PP 311/312 required.
Prereq: PP 311 and 312
PP 421 Advanced Costume Design
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
Individual projects in costume design. May include assignments on actual productions. “C” or better in Costume Section of PP 311/312 required.
Prereq: PP 311 and 312
PP 431 Advanced Lighting Design
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
Individual projects in lighting design. May include assignments on actual productions. “C” or better in Lighting Section of PP 311/312 required.
Prereq: PP 311 and 312
PP 441 Advanced Technical Prod.
2 Credits, Fall/Spring
Individual projects and instruction related to modern stage technology. May include assignments on actual productions. “C” or better in Technical Direction Section of PP 311/312 required.
Prereq: PP 311 and 312
PP 451 Internship
1 to 9 Credits, Fall/Spring
A supervised assignment with a pre-approved professional arts organization. Junior standing and permission of department chair. Junior class level required at time of registration (60+ credits earned)
PP 481 Professional Practices
2 Credits, Fall
Discussion on current trends in the business of theater and how the production student can best prepare for entry into the field. Includes development of résumé, cover letters and a personal mission statement, as well as strategies for finding institutions that meet early career needs.
PP 491 Final Project
1 Credit, Fall/Spring
Students in the Performance Production Department are required to complete a final project in their area of specialization. This project is documented with sketches, drawings, pictures, and an appropriate narrative. These items are bound in book form and become the property of the department. Senior standing required. Senior class level required at time of registration (90+ credits earned)
PP 496–499 Independent Study
1 to 4 Credits
Focuses on a special project of the student’s choice and design that is unavailable within the regular curriculum. Senior standing and permission from Department Chair required.
