DRAM 2630-1
Production Laboratory:  Sound (1)
Meeting Times:  TBA, Culbreth
Instructed by Michael Rasbury

Office
Michael Rasbury, Room 208B, Culbreth Theatre.  Schedule appointments by phone at (434) 982-4542 or by email at mr2xk (at) virginia (dot) edu.  I check email daily.

Course Goal
Students learn the application of sound technology to actual theatrical production projects.  May be repeated up to four credits.  

Course Description
DRAM 2630 is a practicum course in which students apply sound design principles, methods, and information in correlation with the current Culbreth Theatre production schedule.  The student may choose one of two options to receive the practicum credit.  Based on each semester’s requirements, option one may not be available.  

The first option requires participation with the Sound crew during afternoon work calls.

• Students will be responsible for assisting with installation of sound equipment, shop maintenance and organization, minor repair, and assistance with the sound design process for the current semester’s productions.

• A minimum of 36 hours of service in one hour or more increments are required per semester for full credit.

• All hours must be scheduled at the beginning of the semester and may include an evening strike call (11pm-2am.)  Sound shop work generally occurs during the afternoon from 2:00-5:00.

The second option requires participation as Sound Operator for a main stage production.

• The participant will attend all designated rehearsals and performances, including crew run-through, tech rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.  The participant will oversee the process of striking equipment at the end of the performance.

• The participant will be required to operate sound equipment during performance in order to execute the sound design for the production.

• The hourly commitment will be somewhat greater than that of option 1; however, the position of Sound Operator is more interactive and potentially rewarding.

One Sound Board Operator is needed for The Foreigner.  You will be required to attend the following dates:

Crew Run-Through                  September 15               6-11 PM
Tech Rehearsal                         September 17-18         6-11 PM
                                               September 19               1-5 PM & 6-10 PM
Dress Rehearsals                       September 21-23         6-11 PM
Performances                           September 24-26         7-10 PM
                                                September 30               7-10 PM
                                                October 1-2                 7-10 PM
Strike                                       October 2                     Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.

One Sound Board Operator is needed for our Dance Performance.  You will be required to attend the following dates:

Crew Run-Through                  September 15               6-11 PM
Tech Rehearsal                         October 8-9                 6-11 PM
                                              October 10                   1-5 PM & 6-10 PM
                                                October 12                   6-11 PM
Dress Rehearsals                       October 14-15             6-11 PM
Performances                           October 16                  7-10 PM
                                                October 17                   1-3 PM
                                                October 17                   7-10 PM
Strike                                       October 17                   Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.

One Sound Board Operator is needed for Language of Angels.  You will be required to attend the following dates:

Crew Run-Through                  October 13                   6-11 PM
Tech Rehearsal                         October 15-16             6-11 PM
                                                October 17                   1-5 PM & 6-10 PM
Dress Rehearsals                       October 19-22             6-11 PM
Performances                           October 22-24             7-10 PM
                                                October 28-31             7-10 PM
Strike                                       October 31                   Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.

One Sound Board Operator is needed for The Imaginary Invalid.  You will be required to attend the following dates:

Crew Run-Through                  November 3                 6-11 PM
Tech Rehearsal                         November 5-6              6-11 PM
                                                November 7                 1-5 PM & 6-10 PM
Dress Rehearsals                       November 9-11              6-11 PM
Performances                           November 12-14          7-10 PM
                                                November 17-21          7-10 PM
Strike                                       November 21               Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.

Attendance
You should make every effort to be present at each scheduled time slot. 

Option 1 Attendance Policy
You will be required to reschedule any missed work time due to excused absences.  Please notify me before the absence or provide an official notification after the absence. If for some reason you need to miss lab please notify the instructor at least 24 hours in advance via phone or email. Serious illness or death within the student's immediate family, religious holidays and participation in field trips and athletic contests are all understandable reasons for missing class.  Students who contact the instructor prior to these types of absences will not be penalized.  These students have the obligation ahead of time to make the necessary arrangements for make-ups. You must coordinate make up times with the instructor. Make-up work will not be provided for students who do not meet with the instructor prior to their absences, or for absences that do not meet the above criteria.  Students not attending class so irregularly as to be making no progress in the course may be excluded. Up to the Withdrawal deadline, the resultant grade is a W; thereafter, an F.

Option 2 Attendance Policy
Option two requires supreme dedication, as the Sound Operator and Assistants control all the functions of the sound for a production during the dress rehearsals and performances.  Except for the case of emergency, he or she must be present.  If the Sound Operator is late or misses a scheduled rehearsal or performance, work hours will be reduced by one letter grade and the “attitude and growth” grade will be impacted.  Not attending a rehearsal with no advance warning is a failure.

GRADING POLICY
The instructor through consultation with the production staff and others related to the production will determine grades for this course.  The inherent technical skill or the lack thereof is not a factor in your course grade. A student with prior experience in sound has no greater chance of a good grade than a novice does.

100-90= A, 89-80= B, 79-70= C, 69-60= D, and below 60= F

The Final Grade is based on three areas:

Attitude & Growth in Shop or on Crew     20%
The student’s attitude and growth portion of their grade is determined by the quality of their participation in the sound shop or as Sound Operator. The attitude and growth portion of the grade is a subjective evaluation of the student’s performance during lab/production periods based on the following criteria; 1) Attitude- the student displays an eagerness to learn and be involved, 2) Inquisitiveness- the student displays an interest to know more about the subject, 3) Congeniality- the student works well with others during the course of the project, 4) Concern for the quality of work and overall quality of the productions, 5) Preparedness- the student is always prepared to work during each session, 6) Promptness – the student is always on time for each session.

Shop Hours                                                    60%
Shop Hours:  approximately 3 hours per week or 36-33 total hours = A Range, 32-29 total hours = B Range, 28-25 total hours = C Range, 24-22 total hours = D, Less than 22 = F

Working as a Sound Operator is equivalent to 50 shop hours and is done over a two to three week period.

Strike                                                              20%

If you cannot attend at least one of the production strike dates the students should contact the instructor in advance of the last strike to make other arrangements. Strike hours can count toward the student’s shop time. If arranged with the instructor, double shop hours can replace the 4 hours of strike.

Total                                                               100%

IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE
September 4, Last Day to Drop a Class.
September 11, Last Day for Adding New Courses, Last Day to Elect the AU (Audit) Option, and Last Day to Change to or from “Credit/No Credit” Option.
October 20, Last Day to Withdraw from a Course.

DRAMA DEPARTMENT SAFETY STATEMENT
In order for the department to operate in a safe and efficient manner, we are asking all students, faculty and staff who work, rehearse, and attend classes in the Drama Department to assist in maintaining a safe atmosphere.  Recently there have been a number of forced entries and acts of vandalism in our building that have caused us to reconsider our procedures that ensure the safety of the staff and students.  We are asking everyone to report any acts of vandalism, breaking and entering, or suspicious people in the building to the University Police or faculty/staff.  Hence forth, any person found committing forced entry or vandalism, will be reported to the police.  This action is a unanimous commitment by the faculty and staff of the Drama Department.  By working together, we can make this a safe working environment for everyone.

Learning Disabilities, Title 504 and Americans with Disabilities Act
If a student has a disability, which may require assistance or accommodations, or has any questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please feel free to make an appointment with the instructor during office hours or please speak with the instructor as soon as possible. If a student has questions they may find more information by contacting the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center or by visiting the following website: http://www.virginia.edu/vpsa/services.html

This syllabus is subject to change at any time, without prior notice, and it is the responsibility of the student to keep informed of changes, new material, or missed content.