Discovery Series
DISCOVERY SERIES
Definition
Discovery Series Productions are student-led and faculty-supervised productions. This series is designed to give students the opportunity to assume various production leadership roles and work in collaboration with peers in ways not available to them in the Mainstage productions. Further, this series allows for additional production work opportunities for all students. Students selected to lead a Discovery Series productions must have demonstrated excellence in their discipline and leadership within the Department. By awarding such leadership roles to students, the faculty affirms not only the students’ skills in their assigned area of leadership, but also their confidence in the students’ level of maturity, responsibility, and ability to take on a project of such magnitude.
Qualifications and Process for Discovery Series Leadership
Directing and designing responsibilities in a Discovery Series Production is a privilege, a responsibility and, in some cases, a requirement. Certain degree programs require completion of THEA 4101 Studio Lab, the objectives of which are to direct or design a show. These shows are chosen by the students, but must be approved by the theatre faculty.
Registration for THEA 4101 Studio Lab is by faculty permission only. To gain said permission, students seeking a leadership role in a Discovery Series production must submit an application based on the guidelines below.
Application to Direct a Discovery Series Production
A student may apply to direct a Discovery Series production upon successful completion of THEA 4363 Directing II or upon demonstrated sufficient directorial experience and skills as determined by the professor of the course. Applications to direct are available on the Department website. Students wishing to direct must submit their application:
1. together with a designer and technical director who submit similar applications;
2. at least one month prior to the end of the semester preceding the semester in which the production will be presented.
Students, who are required to direct a DS production but are unable to secure peers to serve the other two major leadership roles, will be required to serve multiple leadership roles in order to complete the production assignment.
Application to Design a Discovery Series Production
A student may apply to design a Discovery Series production upon successful completion of THEA 4340 Advanced Design or upon demonstrated sufficient design experience and skills as determined by the professor of the course. Applications to design are available on the Department website. Students wishing to design must submit their application:
1. together with a director and technical director who submit similar applications;
2. at least one month prior to the end of the semester preceding the semester in which the production will be presented.
Application to serve as Technical Director for a Discovery Series Production
A student may apply to serve as Technical Director for a Discovery Series production upon successful completion of six hours of stagecraft coursework (THEA 2321 and 2322 or their equivalent) or upon demonstrated sufficient technical experience and skills as determined by the professor of the course. Applications are available on the Department website. Students wishing to serve as technical director must submit their application:
1. together with a director and designer who submit similar applications;
2. at least one month prior to the end of the semester preceding the semester in which the production will be presented.
Consideration of Applications
Applications will be considered by all theatre faculty, and final approval will be awarded by the Chair of the Department based on the recommendation of the faculty. Student Production Directing Assignments shall be based on the following criteria:
1. Technical feasibility available for specific plays;
2. Casting feasibility of the production in regard to all other productions in the Department of Theatre. For example, the number of males/females required may exceed the talent resources of the Department;
3. Proven reliability and responsibility in all aspects of previous theatre work; and
4. The classification of the student will be a determining factor in their eligibility. For example, a graduating senior who has not directed a production will be given priority over a non-graduating senior.
Students who are awarded leadership roles in the Discovery Series Production work will be given permission to enroll in THEA 4101 Studio Lab. That course will then serve as the means to manage and coordinate the work of all students assigned to the production. The syllabus for this course will outline specific responsibilities and corresponding academic work. Typically students will be required to submit papers, projects and other assignments after the show closes and strike is completed. This assignment will allow each student to reflect on the entire production experience, and document various aspects of what he/she learned throughout the process. Withdrawing from this course at any point in the process, before or after the run of the show, is considered to be highly unprofessional. Such action would be detrimental to all students involved in the production and would show disrespect to the faculty who would have invested a significant amount of time and effort into the project as well. However, if circumstances beyond the student’s control (significant health issues, personal emergency, etc) arise, the student should discuss these matters with the theatre faculty to determine an appropriate and professional resolution. Students who choose to withdraw from the course, and thus fail to complete the process as indicated in the syllabus, will jeopardize their future involvement in the theatre program, and such action will damage their prospects for positive recommendations to graduate schools and professional opportunities beyond ETBU.
Auditions for Discovery Series Productions
Auditions will be held at the student directors’ discretion and with the approval of the faculty. Auditions will be open to all ETBU students as well as faculty/staff, community members, and others and should be scheduled and advertised accordingly.
Scheduling and Rehearsals of the Discovery Series Productions
The DS productions will be scheduled by the theatre faculty on the ETBU School of Fine Arts calendar as part of the overall performance season. This scheduling will be accomplished in the Spring semester prior the academic year of the performance season. Because DS productions are relatively short in length, it is typical for multiple performances to be presented in the same evening. Thus, the rehearsal schedules for the DS productions must be coordinated. Tentative rehearsal schedules will be included in the application process, and used by the theatre faculty to assign specific rehearsal spaces. A copy of the approved rehearsal schedule must be given to all students involved in the project, and made available on the Call Board for everyone in the Department to reference. Thirty (30) hours are the maximum rehearsal time for one acts and forty (40) hours are the maximum rehearsal time for full length shows. Rehearsals must not begin before 6:00 p.m. nor go later than 10:00 p.m. unless approved by the faculty advisor in advance.
Production Types
Discovery Series productions are typically one of three types: 1) the U.I.L. One Acts, 2) One Acts, and 3) Full Length.
U.I.L. One-Acts
Students pursuing a major in All-Level Theatre Arts Education on the B.S.E. degree are required to direct or design a one-act play that complies to the rules and guidelines of current U.I.L. regulations.
One Acts
One act plays not exceeding one hour in length are most desirable for students pursuing the Theatre Arts major on the B.A. degree.
Full length
On rare occasions and due to specific desirable circumstances, the theatre faculty will consider applications for a full length Discovery Series production. Department resources typically prevent such presentations, and would be considered when there is only one DS production approved for a given semester.
Other Production Types:
Students may wish to propose production types unlike those described above. For instance, students may wish to present a musical review, collective creations, or an experimental/improvisational work in an atypical location. Proposals for unusual production types are welcome, but additional care must be given to the explanation and details of such work in the production application.
Performance Guidelines
Discovery Series productions are presented for no more than three performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening. A three (3) dollar admission will be charged to the general public for Discovery Series performances. Any individual who presents a valid ETBU identification card will be admitted free to performances.
Performances are closed to the public unless otherwise approved by theatre faculty. Audiences are usually comprised of “invitation only” spectators who have a clear understanding of the assignment and content of the performance. The invited audience, including ETBU students, faculty and staff, and the family members of the cast and crew, must be approved by the faculty
Technical Considerations
Limited construction of costumes, properties, set pieces, or special make up needs, etc. may be allowed if it is essential to the dramatic action of the play and approval is granted. However, costumes, properties, set pieces, make up, etc., in stock should be the basis of the technical needs. The dressing rooms, shops, and all rehearsal spaces must be kept in a clean and orderly condition at all times throughout the rehearsal activities and production run. Strike for DS productions will take place on the Monday following the run of the shows. In accordance with other aspects of this Handbook, all theatre students and all participants in the production are required to participate in the strike of the shows.
The check out procedure for stock items is as follows:
1. Compile a complete list of items, based on what is available;
2. Secure approval from the faculty;
3. Make appointment with the Department Technical Director to pull items. It is the responsibility of the student designers to insure responsible security of the items checked out. The procedure should be done seven (7) days prior to performance. "Cleared" lending agreement forms must be given to the faculty after items have been returned. The faculty will place the forms in the student's project file.
4. The Department Technical Director will check in and “clear” the respective items used in the production. The DS director and cast will return the items to their respective places. If any item is missing or damaged, grade reductions may occur, and fees may be applied to student accounts in order to replace the items.
Post Mortem
Each DS production will be followed by a Department-wide Post Mortem which is scheduled as part of the applications. Students are encouraged to discuss the production further with individual faculty members during their regular office hours.
The students’ grades for the project will be determined by the faculty assigned to the course enrolled. That faculty member will determine the grade within one week of the completion of all production work and related assignments that follow. The students’ grades for the project will be determined in accordance to the specific criteria outlined in the course syllabus.
Policy Compliance
All students enrolled in THEA 4101 Studio Lab will be responsible for complying with all Department of Theatre Arts policies and regulations throughout the production process. Any student production violating these policies and regulations may be cancelled, and the students’ grades may be affected. Further, individuals participating in the production work may be relieved of their responsibilities if they fail to meet production deadlines, complete class assignments, or comply with any Department policy.