DRAM 2630: Production Laboratory: Sound (1)
Meeting Times: TBA, Culbreth
Instructed by Michael Rasbury
Teaching Assistant Max Krembs
Office
Michael Rasbury, Room 208B, Culbreth Theatre. Schedule appointments by phone at (434) 982-4542 or by email at mr2xk@virginia.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.
Option 1 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, 3 hours per week 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 will occur during the afternoon from 1:00-3:00 PM on Mondays, 2:00-4:00 PM on Wednesdays, and 2:00-3:00 PM on Thursdays. Contact Max Krembs (smk6q@virginia.edu) immediately to schedule your time in the shop.. Contact Max Krembs to schedule your time immediately.
Option 2 requires participation as Sound Operator or Assistant 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.
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.
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 serious 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. It is extremely important that ample warning is provided prior to an emergency absence so a replacement sound operator can be identified and trained to fill in.
One Sound Board Operators is needed. You will be required to attend the following dates:
Crew Run-Through, February 7, 6-11 PM
Tech Rehearsal, February 9-10, 6-11 PM and February 11, 10 AM-1 PM, 1-5 PM & 6-11 PM
Dress Rehearsals, February 13-15, 6-11 PM
Performances, February 16-18, 21-25, 6-11 PM
Strike, February 25, Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.
Elephant’s Graveyard, by George Brant
One Sound Board Operator is needed. You will be required to attend the following dates:
Crew Run-Through, TBA, 6-11 PM
Tech Rehearsal, March 15-16, 6-11 PM and March 17, 1-5 PM & 6-11 PM
Dress Rehearsals, March 19-20, 6-11 PM
Performances, March 21-24, 6-11 PM
Strike, March 24, Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.
Spring Dance Concert
One Sound Board Operator is needed. You will be required to attend the following dates:
Tech Rehearsal, March 22-23, 6-11 PM and March 24, 1-5 PM & 6-11 PM
Dress Rehearsals, March 26-28, 6-11 PM
Performances, March 29-31, 6-11 PM
Strike, March 31, Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.
Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare
One Sound Board Operator is needed. You will be required to attend the following dates:
Crew Run-Through, April 10, 6-11 PM
Tech Rehearsal, April 12-13, 6-11 PM and April 14, 1-5 PM & 6-10 PM
Dress Rehearsals, April 16-18, 6-11 PM
Performances, April 19-21, 25-28, 6-11 PM
Strike, April 28, Post Show 10 till
Additional dates may be required during the production period.
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 two 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.
Work Hours, 80%
Option 1: 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. Sound work may include up to three evening strike calls.
Option 2: Working as a Sound Operator is equivalent to the above shop hours and is done over a two to three week period. 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.
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE
February 2, Last Day to Drop a Class.
February 1, 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.
March 14, 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 that 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.