Course Objectives

·        Awareness of theatre periods, genres and styles (departmental goal). During the course of the student’s time in THEA 1121, 2121, 3121 & 4121, the student will have the opportunity to work on productions from a wide variety of periods, genres and styles.

·        Employability (departmental goal). The student will serve on production crews and may be cast in productions. These activities are an extension and application of material learned in classes, leading the student to develop the skills necessary to work in theatre.

·        Theoretical/Conceptual Knowledge and Application (departmental goal). Students will demonstrate the ability to translate theoretical/conceptual knowledge of performance and design/tech areas creatively into public performance.

·        Professionalism (departmental goal). Students will demonstrate a developed, integrated sense of professionalism, citizenship, ethics, artistic integrity, aesthetic sensibility, cultural awareness, and wellness.

Safety Knowledge and Practice (departmental goal). Students will demonstrate safety knowledge and practices while working on and performing public performances. 

Requirements

The evaluation form that will be used to assess students’ performance in the courses is available in D2L. A schedule of the production season and theatre events will also be provided in the same place (as soon as available). The student’s responsibilities are as follows:

·        Read the departmental handbook. There is no textbook for the class. A paper copy of the departmental handbook will be available soon and, at the same time, on D2L. Students are expected to read and understand the handbook. Weekly quizzes will be based on this material.

·        Attend the Majors/Minors Meetings.

·        Complete the “Cast and Crew Questionnaire,” “After Hours” document and “Smoking” document. Should the student decide not to sign the document, an unsigned copy with the student’s name should be filed to acknowledge that the student has chosen to not sign the document.

·        Check the department’s Facebook page, D2L or physical callboard for the crew list, which should be posted no later than the Monday following the first Majors/Minors Meeting of the semester.

·        When the crew list is posted, complete an R&P Contract for your production responsibilities for all departmental productions.

·        At the second Majors/Minors meeting, crew heads will meet with their crews. Watch on the callboard for crew work calls.

·        Complete 3 hours per week for each production (more details on this below).

·        Crew heads must post the relevant production calendar and additional work calls.

·        All theatre majors who are not in the cast or on running crew for a production are required to usher at least two nights during the run of the production.

·        Take and pass with 100% all the Theatre Department Handbook quizzes. Quizzes will be posted on D2L. These quizzes will consist of 10 questions chosen from a question pool, meaning that the questions will vary with each attempt. Each quiz will be available beginning noon Thursday of the week and will close at noon on Saturday of the same week. Each quiz will have a maximum time limit of 10 minutes. Students will have an unlimited number of attempts at each quiz but the quiz will be recorded as a 0 in the gradebook if the student does not score 100% on the final attempt.

·        If you are assigned to a running crew, you must attend a full run-through (Crew View) of the play before the first technical rehearsal (scenery, lighting, props) or before the first dress rehearsal (costumes, makeup).

·        Participation at strikes for mainstage productions is mandatory. Work obligations are not an excuse. Your grade for that production will be lowered one grade level for failure to participate in strike. Strike is held the first two class days following the final performance of a production.

·        Crew heads and crew members must complete and turn in evaluations of their crews   on D2L by the time indicated on the class schedule.

·        Everyone cast in MSU Theatre productions must  purchase acceptable rehearsal shoes. What is “appropriate” will be determined by the director, choreographer and costume designer in consultation.

·        Individuals assigned to scenery, lighting or properties must provide their own work goggles and canvas or leather work gloves.

·        Any questions or requests, such as requests for revisions of the crew lists, must be directed to the Professor of Record before the close of the next class day.

·        All theatre majors are responsible for posting two posters at the appropriate assigned location within 24 hours of receiving the posters. The poster availability will be posted on FB, D2L and the callboard. Posters will be picked up from the professor of record.

·        First semester theatre majors are required to attend a jury in December. All theatre majors and minors are required to have a jury at the end of Spring semester.

All students are expected to attend class each week. If a student’s class schedule requires that they attend on a different day than the scheduled meeting for the class, the professor of record must be notified by the first meeting of the class. As different material is taught on to different groups, unless approved by the professor of record, students must attend on their assigned day. Student assistants may not be signed in (on the time clock) during the weekly class meeting.

As listed above in “Requirements”, students are required to put in three hours a week on their assigned production crew (outside of the class meeting.)

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.