THE 421 / 521 – Advanced Theatre Management

MW 1:30 – 2:20 / Fall 2005 / Computer Lab – Shoup 101

Instructor:      Dean Panttaja, Ph.D., MFA      Office: 117 Shoup Hall

Phone: 885-6636 or email: panttaja@uidaho.edu

                        Office Hours: M - TH 10:30 – 12:30

 Text:               Back Stage Guide to Stage Management, Thomas Kelly

                        Production Management: A Practical Guide, Peter Dean

                        Actors Equity Association (AEA) Handbook

Course Objectives: To expose students to the advanced aspects and techniques of Stage Management, Theatre Management, Artistic Direction, & Production Management.   To prepare students for professional stage management careers and eventual admission into the stage management union (AEA).

 Grading:       Attendance                100 pts.

                        Project #1*                  300 pts.

                        Project #2*                  300 pts

                        Project #3*                  300 pts.

                                                Total: 1000 pts.

Project #1: Problem Solving Scenarios (Due: 9/21)

Students will conduct an analysis on a set of situational scenarios presented by the instructor.   Students will conduct research from journals and texts and provide multiple solutions to resolve the problems the scenarios present.   Students will choose what they consider the ‘best solution’ and then defend their decision.  Finally students will project the potential outcome and potential pitfalls of the decision.   This will be presented in the form of a research / position paper.

Project #2: Union Prompt Book / Portfolio (Due: 10/24)

Students will prepare, and finalize, an existing prompt book along AEA and professional guidelines for union admission and develop a personal portfolio.   The project will include advanced computer and electronic media resources including tracking forms and suitable spreadsheets.

Project #3: Season Selection & Staffing (Due: 12/12)

Students will create a 4-show professional season with artistic and management appointments.   Staffing will be used that maximizes cost effectiveness, workforce efficiency and aesthetic integrity.   The project will include projected income, salaries, benefits, union dues, and contingencies.   All decisions will be justified.

Attendance:   You are allowed 3 absences (excused or unexcused).   More than three (3) absences will lower your final grade by 25 pts. for each absence.

Graduate Expectations:

Graduate students will be expected to show leadership in the classroom by presenting selected lectures and help research and develop curricular enhancements.

Course Topics (to include but are not limited to:)

 Lectures:

Advanced Computer Applications: Calendars, Spreadsheets, Databases

& Communications

Scenario Planning & Analysis

Organizational Culture

Organizational Learning Disabilities Problem Solving & Stewardship

Artistic Management & Artistic Direction

Season Selection & Demographic Analysis

Production Management

Seminar Discussions:

AEA Standards in Professional, Semi-Professional and Academic Venues

Personnel Management

Quality Management

Professional Management Models:

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Utah Shakespeare Festival

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Seattle Repertory Theatre

Tacoma Actors Guild

Santa Fe Opera

Salary & Benefit Models

Federal & State Regulations & Procedures (Salary, Benefits, & Taxes)

Union Regulations & Procedures (“ “)

 Final: Tuesday, December 13 at 1:00