Theatrical Direction and Stage Management 1
Course Syllabus
Mr. Richmond
Room 6-122
Course Numbers
0400500
Course Description
Students learn how to select, organize, and mount formal and informal staged productions by means of exploring the leadership roles
of director and stage manager. Students focus on the nature and responsibilities of the director and stage manager in relation to the
entire production team; the effect of the director's concept on the overall production; vocabulary and principles of the various elements
of play production; techniques used to create an effective theatre work; and basic knowledge and application of staging. Public
performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in
rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.
Grading in this course is standards based and reflects the following areas:
CRITICAL THINKING AND REFLECTION: (15%)
SKILLS, TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES: (25%)
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: (15%)
HISTORICAL AND GLOBAL CONNECTIONS: (25%)
INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE: (20%)
Text Book
The world of theatrical direction is one filled with theories, concepts, ideas, and creativity. Great directors examine the world through
a fine microscope in order to engulf themselves into the very heart of human interaction and conflict. It is quintessential in the
directing process that we read a magnitude of texts. This course will introduce you to many great directors and their respective
approach. We will read various texts in the areas of directing, script analysis, history, socio-economics, anthropology, cultural
diversity, acting theory, and philosophy to name a few. This course will require you to constantly read and research the world of the
play (a term you will become very familiar with). In addition to the classroom library, students will be expected to research, discover,
and develop a reading resource list for this course. In the final quarter of this class students will submit a research paper on a directing
theorist of their choice. In order to become a well-rounded director one must constantly read. Needless to say this is a reading heavy
course.
Below is a list of the suggested reading for this course. These books will be covered in the class.
Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays David Ball
A Director Prepares Anne Bogart
The Empty Space Peter Brock
On Directing Harold Clurman
The Director at Work Robert Benedetti
Directors on Directing Toby Cole & Helen Krich Chinoy
Play Directing: Analysis, Communication, and Style Francis Hodge & Michael McLain
The Art of Directing John Kirk, Ralph Bellas, and Christina Kirk
A Sense of Direction William Ball
The Backstage Guide to Stage Management Thomas A. Kelly
Stage Management Lawrence Stern
Course Format
This course will consist of a great deal of in class discussion. We will read and discuss many directing theorists. It is essential that
students come to class ready to participate in the conversations. If you are unprepared to join the class conversation you will have a
very hard time understanding the foundation upon which our hands on work will be developed. In addition to the foundational work,
students will be directing several scenes as well as a full-length one-act production. Students will also be required to have a stage
management rotation throughout the course. This will be explained in detail later on. The course will be broken into the following
areas:
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Foundational understanding
Format, structure, and vision
Script analysis
Scene breakdown
Beats, Intentions, and Verbs
Scene studies
Blocking
The casting process
The Rehearsal Process
Scene Presentations
Play Reading and Selection
Directing Research
Prompt Books
The Design Process
Play Productions
Research Papers
Stage Management
Homework, Quizzes, and Exams
All MCCA students are required to attend a minimum of one MCCA performing or visual arts event outside of their
department each grading period and submit a written critique of the event. There will be 4 critique papers a year.
Major Assignments
Throughout this course there will be several benchmark assignments. This is a course where one assignment will build directly off of
the work in the assignment before it. Many of these tasks will be placed together in various culminating presentations. In addition,
there will be several in class directing presentations, stage management scenarios, prompt book activities, casting applications, and the
culminating direction of a one act. Some of the major benchmark assignments are listed below. More detail on each will be addressed
as we introduce each topic.
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Director’s Prompt Book
Blocking Assignment
Beats and Intentions Assignment
World of the Play Paper
Stage Management Project
Assistant Stage Manager/Stage Manager assignment
In Class Scene Presentations
Fall Research Project
Spring Research Project
Full Length One-Act Direction
Applicable Fees
MCCA Directing students are required to join West Port High School’s Thespian Troupe #6180 and the Omega Theatre Company, the
producing organization for our main stage shows, one-act and Thespian Festival entries. The dues for membership are $35. Students
may earn points toward membership in the International Thespian Society, an honor society for high school theatre students. Students
are expected to participate in all Thespian activities, including monthly troupe meetings, fundraisers and productions. Troupe fees are
due on or before September 11.
MCCA Directing students are required to pay a participation/materials fee for the Directing course. This fee is $35. MCCA fees are
due by August 28th. The proceeds for this fee are earmarked specifically for educational materials that will be used in the Directing
course. Any student that is unable to pay this fee by the required date needs to see Mr. Richmond to discuss other arrangements. This
is a required fee for the MCCA program.
Materials
Students will need to have the following items:
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A sketchbook (minimum 8 ½ by 11)
2 3-ring binders with dividers
2 Spiral Notebooks
2 Dozen Pencils
Additional materials may be necessary to complete projects
All materials are due on September 7th in class.
Any student who has a financial inability to procure these items should see Mr. Richmond privately. Any student who is not
prepared with the proper materials will have a classroom writing assignment. Failure to bring the proper materials or scene
work to class or rehearsal time could result in a failing grade. Participation is very important in a Directing. You will be expected
to perform and participate in activities in front of the class. If you do not participate, you will not be able to achieve a passing grade in
this class.
Work Outside of Class Time
All students in the MCCA Directing and Stage Management program are required to work outside of class hours. This requires
participation above and beyond the school day. The purpose of this is to help students learn the craft of theatrical direction and stage
management through hands on practical application. Students will be working on various aspects and capacities within the theatre as
well as fully producing a one-act production. Additionally, all members of this class will be expected to serve in the capacity of a
stage manager and/or assistant stage manager for a MCCA production. It is essential to this course that students put forth time outside
of class. More detailed schedules will be discussed as this course progresses. Students will be responsible for scheduling their own
rehearsal time. We will have a great deal of in class rehearsal time, however much of this course requires out of class rehearsal with
actors. Mr. Richmond will post a schedule of when student rehearsal space is available outside of school and students will sign up in
this course.
Any students with an out of class conflict must see Mr. Richmond during Power Hour within the first week of school. All conflicts
will need to be submitted in writing within the first week.
Contact Info for Mr. Richmond
To Contact Mr. Richmond by Email:
Jordan A. Richmond
MCCA Technical Director
Technical Theatre Instructor
Directing Instructor
[email protected]
To Contact Mr. Richmond by Phone
(352) 291-4000
Office Ext. 59830
Tech Lab Ext. 59791
Scenic Shop Ext. 59829
Please leave me a message so I can return your call.
Student Syllabus Agreement
I have received the Syllabus from Mr. Richmond. As per this syllabus I will execute my responsibilities
accordingly. Mr. Richmond has explained all elements of this syllabus in class and answered my questions. It is
my responsibility to know and participate in this class under the guidelines laid out in this syllabus. I
understand the overall safety policy and will at all times operate under it. I will follow all instructions for the
course and I will follow all instructions from Mr. Richmond on operating in the theatre. After having all of my
questions answered about the rules, I understand and accept the responsibilities of this course, and to the best of
my abilities I will learn and exemplify the attitude of a theatrical director and stage manager. I also
acknowledge that it is my responsibility to obtain the requested materials for this course. I will bring all
materials to class on/or before September 7th. Finally, I acknowledge the level of work required outside of this
course to demonstrate mastery of content and gain experience and I commit to doing that work.
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Printed Student Name
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Student Signature
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Date
Parent Syllabus Agreement
By signing this I am indicating that I have read the syllabus and that I am aware of the expectations that the
MCCA Theatrical Directing and Stage Management program has for my child. I am also aware that there is a
$35.00 Thespian Troupe Fee and a $35.00 MCCA fee that will be earmarked for the theatrical direction and
stage management course. In addition I am aware that there is a course materials list for this class and that all
supplies are due no later than September 7th. Troupe fees are due on or before September 11 and MCCA
fees are due August 28th.
By signing this I also agree and understand that my student will need to work on scene work, stage
management, and one-act play productions outside of class. I understand that this schedule will be further
defined as students choose their area of stage management as well as select their one-acts.
If I have any questions I know that I can contact Mr. Richmond via email or by phone at West Port High
School.
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Printed Parent or Legal Guardian Name
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Parent or Legal Guardian Signature
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Date