Presidential Advisory Committee of
Proposal
13-05
(Voting Units: Academic Senators)
Fine
Arts Department Degree Proposal
Theatre
and Entertainment Technology, B.A.
1. Program Description:
A Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre
and Entertainment Technology is an interdisciplinary program that integrates
studies in theatre production and the liberal arts with comprehensive
coursework in technology and computer science.
Throughout the entertainment industry, current consumer expectations and
technological advances are driving a need for theatre production professionals
who are educated not only in the fundamentals of theatre, but also in specific
areas of technology. Structures,
mechanical operations, electronics, acoustics, electro-acoustics, pneumatics,
computer applications, and other disciplines are at the heart of modern theatre
production and this degree.
2. Rationale:
The design and production of live performance
is changing and expanding as rapidly as the technology within our society. Careers in live performance are no longer
limited to designing the spectacle of traditional play productions or classical
hall acoustics for concerts. Even
theatrical plays have expanded to regularly include stunning effects such as
falling chandeliers, landing helicopters, and large pools of water onstage
while live and recorded sound effects are blended with laser shows in classical
concerts.
The increasing complexity of stage
effects is driving the specific need for theatrical production artists who have
solid foundations in computing and in engineering technology. The modern theatre and entertainment
technology professional needs training in the fundamentals and traditions of
theatre, integrated with technological skills gained from studies in
engineering, computer science, and media production.
Standards for entry into careers in
theatre and entertainment technology are continually increasing and the
requisite technical and artistic expertise is rarely obtainable through
apprenticeship/internship opportunities without a strong undergraduate
education.
Currently, there are few theatre and
entertainment technology degree programs that incorporate engineering technology
or computer courses to complete the education of theatre technicians. It is the intent of the Fine Arts Department
of Michigan Technological University to integrate theatre education with
engineering technology and with computing to create a comprehensive,
professional performing arts technology program. A Theatre and Entertainment Technology major
will receive a solid education in general theatre practices as well as
knowledge of new technologies being used throughout the entertainment
industry. A graduate of this program
will have marketable skills for a broad range of performing arts venues that
includes traditional theatre and concerts, but goes far beyond.
3. Related Programs:
·
At
Current Fine Arts degrees
Technical Theatre Minor
Music Technology Minor
Theatre Arts Minor
Art Minor
Music Minor
Other proposed Fine Arts degrees
Theatre and Entertainment Technology,
B.S.
Audio Production and Technology, B.S.
Sound Design, B.A.
·
At Other
Institutions
In
the Region
Several institutions
in
Benchmark
Institutions
Four of the
colleges and universities identified as Michigan Tech's benchmark institutions
offer degrees in theatre. Our proposed
degree has a high engineering technology component. Benchmark institutions are
§
Georgia Institute of Technology: Minor in Theatre.
§
§
§
4. Projected Enrollment:
The program is planned to grow
modestly. We are confident of an initial
enrollment of between three and five students in the major when this program is
launched, prospectively in Fall’05. By
2009, total enrollment is expected to grow to twelve to fifteen in the major,
and we will graduate our first class.
5. Scheduling Plans:
This degree will be administered as
part of the regular course schedule, including alternate-year cycling of
certain courses. The proposed teaching
schedule is Attachment A.
6. Curriculum Design:
Theatre and entertainment technology, BA – 126
credits
Major
Requirements: 48 credits
Foundation Courses: Take all 27 credits
FA 1701 Backstage Technology 3
FA 1702 Lighting and Sound
Technology 3
FA 2500 Music Theory I 3
FA 2800 Script Analysis
(new course) 3
FA 2821 Performance Design
Principles (new course) 3
FA 3810 Ancient Theatre
History 3
FA 3821 Modern Theatre
History (new course) 3
FA 3650 Production
Management (new course) 3
FA 4970 or FA 4971 Final
Project 3
Design Courses: Choose 9 credits
FA 3750 Lighting Design 3
FA 3760 Costume Design 3
FA 3700 Scenic Design 3
FA 3730 Sound Design 3
Advanced Design: Choose 3 credits
FA 4750 Advanced Lighting
Design (new course) 3
FA 4900 Independent Study:
Research 1-3
FA 4910 Independent Study:
Studio 1-3
Practicum: Take 9 credits
FA 2661 Mainstage: Runcrew 5
up to 2 credits can be FA 2662 Mainstage: Sound Runcrew
FA 3661 Mainstage:
Management and Design 4
Computer
Science/Technology/Engineering/Math Sequence: 35 credits
CET 1110 Introduction to
CAD 2
Take one of the following concentrations for 33
credits
Electrical Engineering Technology: 33 credits
EET
1120 Circuits I1 4
EET
2120 Circuits II1 4
EET
2141 Digital Electronics and Microprocessor Fundamentals 4
EET
2233 Electrical Machinery 4
EET
3390 Power Systems 3
MAT
1155 or MA 10321 4-5
3
credit science class with a separate lab1 4
EET,
MET, MA, MAT, EE, MEEM, SAT, CET, CE, or CS elective 5-6
1These
courses fulfill the General Education Science/Mathematics requirement.
Electro/Mechanical Technology: 33 credits
MET
1540 Materials Science1 3
MET
2000 Power Transmission1 3
MET
2120 Statics and Strength of Materials 4
MET
2130 Dynamics 3
MAT
1155 or MA 10321 4-5
MAT
1195, MA 1160 or MA 11611 3-5
CH
1100 General Chemistry1 OR 4
CH 1110 University Chemistry I1
AND 4
CH 1111 University Chemistry Lab I1 1
EET,
MET, MA, MAT, EE, MEEM, SAT, CET, CE, or CS elective 5-9
1These
courses fulfill the General Education Science/Mathematics requirement.
Computer Science: 33 credits
CS
1121 (Intro. to CS I AND CS 1122 Intro to CS II) OR
(CS 1131 Comp Sci I)1 4-5
CS 1721 Object Oriented
Programming1 1
CS
2321 Data Structures1 3
CS 2141 Software
Development using C++ 3
CS 2311 Discrete Structures 3
MA
1032 Data, Functions, & Graphs Plus1&2 4
MA
1090 Functions, Change, and Chance 3
3
credit science class with a separate lab1 4
EET,
MET, MA, EE, MEEM, MAT, SAT, CET, CE, or CS elective 7-8
1These
courses fulfill the General Education Science/Mathematics requirement.
2MA
1032 requires proficiency in MA 0099.
Credit in MA 0099 does not count towards graduation.
Free
Electives: 15 credits
General
Education Requirements: 28 credits – see course catalog
UN
1003 World Cultures Distribution 1
Modern
Language*—6 credits in one language
*UN 1002 is replaced with UN 1003 and 6 credits of modern language, which is required for this degree. Three of these modern language credits may be double listed to fill 3 credits of the distribution requirements.
Co-Curricular
Activities: 3 credits
7. New Course Descriptions:
The proposed new courses have been
carefully designed to rely on present faculty and facilities. Appropriate
restructuring of positions has already taken place. Each of the theatre
and entertainment technology faculty (hired in 2000 and 2002) has been
charged with developing courses for the minor in technical theatre that was
introduced in the 2000-01 academic year and to design the degree proposals
currently under consideration. These
faculty and their courses serve as a foundation for the proposed degrees.
Some of the new courses are
redesigned older courses (r), and several courses will be offered in
alternating years (a). There may be a
modest reduction in the total number of sections of Speech to avoid faculty
overloads.
FA
1701 Backstage Technology (r) An
overview of the basic techniques, theories, and terminology of technical theatre.
Focus on practical application of stagecraft and rigging for a theatrical
production, safety in technical theatre, physical theatre structures,
production processes, and theatre organization.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall.
FA 1702
Lighting and Sound Technology An overview of
the basics of theatrical lighting, stage electrics, audio systems, and
techniques for theatrical production.
Focus on practical application of static and automated lighting for a
theatrical production, including instrumentation and control. Introduction to live sound reinforcement,
recording, and complex playback. Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Spring.
FA
2800 Script Analysis (r) An examination of drama for the purpose of gaining various textual
methods of analysis for production: character analysis, thematic analysis,
functional analysis, and plot analysis. This class emphasizes learning how
to examine and understand a playscript for design production. Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters
Offered: Fall.
FA 2821 Performance Design Principles (r) An introduction to the design principles of the live art and entertainment industry, including design needs, production methods, equipment, and facilities for various venues. Among the applications to be surveyed are theatre, concerts, theme parks, museums, and corporate events. Related career opportunities will be explored. Prerequisites: None. Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Spring.
FA 3650 Production Management (a) Procedures and skills of effective
production management. Authoritative
coordination of performers and technicians during rehearsal and performance
periods. Maintenance and use of the production prompt book, notation, of ground
plan and blocking; scene shifts; cues for lighting, sound, special effects, and
performers; opening and calling the show; post-show wrap-up. Practical experience in stage managing. Prerequisites:
FA 1701, FA 1702 Credits:
3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters
Offered: Spring; Offered alternate
years, beginning with 2005-06 academic year.
FA 3821 Modern
Theatre History (a) An examination
of American and European theatre history from the late 1700s to modern
times. An emphasis on the interrelationships among technology and theatre
space, design and drama, and how culture and society affected style. Prerequisites:
UN1002 or UN1003. Credits:
3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab:
(0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Spring; Offered alternate years, beginning
with 2006-07 academic year.
FA 4730
Advanced Sound Design (a) A study of the
musicality of noise and texts and their integration in theatrical sound design,
mixing, and mastering. Emphasis is on
student creativity and critical listening.
This class develops further applications of artistic concepts introduced
in FA 3730. Prerequisite: FA 3730 Sound
Design. Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Fall;
Offered alternate years, beginning with 2006-07 academic year.
FA 4740
Transducer Theory (a) In depth study
of Microphone and Loudspeaker design as it applies to usage in recording and
live sound reinforcement with an emphasis on interaction with the acoustical
environment. Prerequisite: FA 3730 Sound Design. Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab:
(0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Fall; Offered alternate years, beginning with
2005-06 academic year.
FA 4750 Advanced Lighting Design (a) Studies of the visual results of lighting in a
variety of environments, including theatrical, architectural, and
industrial. Expansion of artistic
concepts introduced in FA 3750. An
exploration of various types of lighting equipment, control systems, reflectant and absorbent
surfaces, and color mixing in light.
Prerequisite: FA 3750.
Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters offered: Fall: Offered alternate years beginning
with the 2006-2007 academic year.
8. Library
& Other Learning Resources:
The J. Robert Van Pelt Library
offers services and resources to meet the informational and research needs of
the University and to support members of the University community in the
development of skills to be information literate and lifelong learners. Librarians offer a range of services,
including workshops, online tutorials, course-related library seminars, and
consultation services for students and faculty.
Students will be directed to active
and regular use of the university library.
This library has a broad range of print resources available in areas
such as theatre architecture, costumes, scenery, stage lighting, and theatrical
sound. There is also an extensive
collection of play script anthologies and other dramatic literature. There are resources, not specific to theatre,
that are relevant to research for students in this degree program. These include but are not limited to books on
general history and architecture as well as journals on topics such as audio
engineering.
The Fine
Arts Department Conference Room offers a collection of classic and recent play
scripts, as well as relevant theatre and audio journals. These include: Theatre
Design and Technology: the USITT journal
for design, production and technology professionals in the performing arts and
entertainment industry, Stage
Directions: a resource for the
non-equity theatre market, Pro Lights and
Staging News, Front of House: live sound news, Lighting Dimensions, and Entertainment Design: on the art and technology of show
business.
Much
information is transitory in this area and current trends in design are
important to the student’s education. Online resources will be a necessary
research tool. The United States
Institute for Theatre Technology’s website, www.usitt.org,
is one such resource.
9. Computing Access Fee:
A
computer access fee of $200.00 will be assessed with each semester’s
tuition. Individual courses may require
additional computer fees.
10. Faculty Resumes : See Attachment B
11. &
13. Available/Needed Equipment &
Space:
In
addition to facilities and equipment across the Michigan Tech campus that we
encourage students to look at and take part in while here at Michigan Tech, the
spaces and equipment dedicated to the needs of theatre include:
- Theatres
Proscenium theatre
1100-seat venue
State-of-the-art facilities and
equipment
McArdle Theatre,
Black box theatre
Flexible seating up to 265
2004 ETC lighting system
Calumet Theatre
Historic proscenium theatre
Hemp rigging
- Shops,
Studios, Laboratories
Scene shops, 110 Rozsa, 206 Walker
Costume shop, 204
Light lab, 210
Recording studio, 214, 215 & 208 Rozsa
Sound technology lab, 210
Computer lab, 213 Rozsa
12. Program Costs:
- Year 1: No new funds will be required to launch this program.
The basic resources have been put in place in a systemic manner through
the past several years. These include facilities in Walker and Rozsa
as well as faculty and staff positions in theatre and entertainment
technology. In order to provide majors with hands-on opportunities
to study various aspects of theatre and entertainment technology, the
increase in production budgets will be met from Department funds,
including gifts from alumni, friends, and newly-developed corporate
sponsors.
- Years 2 & 3: With the anticipated
success of the Theatre and Entertainment Technology major, the Department
is planning "internal" restructuring of faculty and staff, to be
accomplished through attrition. No requests for new faculty or staff
positions are planned during the first three years of this program.
14. Policies, Regulations, & Rules:
The program will be administered by the
Fine Arts Department in accordance with standard Michigan Tech policies
governing baccalaureate degrees. The
chair of the Department of Fine Arts will appoint a faculty member to direct
the degree program.
During the first two years in the
program, a Theatre and Entertainment Technology major will be assigned to a
faculty advisor. In the third year, the
student will choose an area of emphasis and may choose another advisor with
expertise in the emphasis area.
Neither the Minor in Technical Theatre nor the
Minor in Theatre Arts is available to a Theatre and Entertainment Technology
major.
15. Accreditation Requirements:
Accreditation through organizations
such as the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) or the National
Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is being explored for relevance to the
university and these programs.
16. Internal Status of Proposal:
Progression Date Submitted for Review Date Approved
- Department/School 09.28.04 09.28.04
- Dean of
Sciences & Arts 10.04.04 10.11.04
- Provost 10.26.04
- University
Support Units
- University
Senate
- Academic
Affairs Off. Comm.
- Board of
Control
- Provost
Final Decision
- Vice
Provost for Instruction
- Campus
Implementation
17. Planned Implementation Date:
Fall 2005
Attachment
A
Fine
Arts Proposed Teaching Schedules
Richard Blanning
|
Fall FA 2330 Art Appreciation FA 2821 Live Art and Entertainment Design Alternate years
beginning 2006-07 FA 3333 Sculpture Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 4300 Advanced Sculpture |
Spring FA 2660 Mainstage Theatre: Acting Alternate years
beginning 2006-07 FA 3330 Art History I FA 3150 Life Drawing Alternate years beginning 2005-06: FA 3340 Art History II FA 3300 3-D Design |
Debra Bruch
|
Fall FA 2800 Script Analysis FA 2090 Speech UN 1001 Perspectives |
Spring UN 1002 World Cultures Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 3780 Directing for Theatre FA 3821 Modern Theatre History Alternate years beginning 2005-06: FA 2660 Mainstage Theatre: Acting FA 3810 Ancient Theatre History |
Mary Carol Friedrich
|
Fall FA 1701 Backstage Technology FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 3 Sections Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 4750 Advanced Lighting Design Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 3760 Costume Design |
Spring FA 1702 Stage Electrics and Sound Technology FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 2 Sections Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 3700 Scenic Design Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 3750 Lighting Design |
Christopher Plummer
|
Fall FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 2 Sections FA 2661 Shop Manager FA 3730 Sound Design Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 4730 Advanced Sound Design Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 4740 Transducer Theory |
Spring FA 1702 Stage Electrics and Sound Technology FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 2 Sections Alternate years
beginning 2006-07 FA 3740 Recording Alternate years beginning 2005-06: FA 3650 Production Management FA 2660 Mainstage Theatre: Acting |
Suzanne Stephens
|
Fall FA 3670 Acting Ensemble FA 2660 Mainstage Directing FA 2600 Technique of Acting |
Spring FA 3670 Acting Ensemble FA 2090 Speech 2 Sections |
Attachment
B
Michigan Tech Department of Fine Arts Faculty
All CVs
available upon request
Mary
Ann Beckwith - NWS
Professor of Art
B.A., Art and English;
Professional Activities:
Professor
Beckwith teaches drawing and watermedia.
She is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, and is a
signature member and a Nautilus Fellow of the International Society of
Experimental Artists. She is a member of
Allied Artists of America, American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor
Society of America, and the Society of Layerists in Multimedia. She has had numerous national exhibitions,
conducts workshops around the country, and has published two books on
watercolor.
Richard
Blanning
Associate Professor of Theatre and
Art
M.F.A., Playwriting, Acting, and
Management;
City,
Professional Activities:
Professor
Blanning directs theatre productions and teaches theatre appreciation, art
appreciation, art history, live art and entertainment design, three-dimensional
design, and advanced sculpture courses. Many of his original plays have been
produced, and he has professional experience in directing, theatre management,
scenic art, stage carpentry, and acting. He is a member of the Association for
Theatre in Higher Education. Professor
Blanning has been on panels for and presented many papers on creativity and the
arts.
Dr.
Debra Bruch
Associate
Professor of Theatre
Ph.D.,
Theory & Criticism and Theatre History;
Professional Activities:
Dr. Bruch is a director, scenic
designer, and actor. She teaches
directing, script analysis, theatre history, speech and World Cultures courses. She has published articles and book chapters
on acting/directing methods and Australian drama. Many of her original plays have been
published and produced. Dr. Bruch is a
member of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education where she is the past
chair and representative for the Religion and Theatre Focus Group for
ATHE. She has chaired panels and
presented papers on religious theatre and Australian theatre and is the editor
for The Journal of Religion and Theatre.
Mary Carol Friedrich
Assistant
Professor of Theatre
M.F.A.,
Design and Technical Theatre,
Professional Activities:
Professor
Friedrich teaches technical theatre, lighting design, costume design, and scene
design. She designs in these areas and
manages the costume shop. She has
published articles on costuming research and techniques and has been a panel
member and presented papers in the areas of color science and costume
archaeology. She conducts workshops on
color science for theatre design. She
has worked professionally as a technical director, master electrician, and
scene painter. Professor Friedrich is a member of the United States Institute
for Theatre Technology and is affiliated with the Kennedy Center/American
College Theatre Festival as an adjudicator and clinician.
Michael
J. Irish
Associate
Professor of Music
M.M.E.,
Jazz Studies,
Professional Activities:
Professor Irish teaches music theory and is the director of jazz studies. He has composed and arranged many jazz compositions that have been performed on campus and across the country. He has performed nationally and internationally at numerous jazz festivals and concerts.