At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop and demonstrate dynamic understanding of professional practices and behavior, including punctuality, preparation, focus, rehearsal conduct, respect for others, and commitment.
• Understand firsthand the complex inner workings and applied vocabulary of the technical process, from table work and staging, through technical and dress rehearsals, and introduction of the audience.
• Appreciate the value and methods that build collaborative relationships, including how to manage professional relationships and implement directorial notes.
• Develop physical, vocal and textual responsiveness and flexibility with the aim of embodying characters in relation to larger stories; making and revising committed, interactive choices; engaging in constructive critique; and performing in public.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Professional Practices and Behavior

• Demonstrate punctuality and consistent attendance in all course-related activities.
• Exhibit preparedness and focus in rehearsals, including having all necessary materials and being ready to participate.
• Practice professional conduct during rehearsals, showing respect for peers, instructors, and the rehearsal space.
• Display commitment to the production through active engagement and willingness to take on responsibilities.

2. Understanding Technical Process

• Articulate the stages of a theatrical production, staging rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals.
• Demonstrate familiarity with technical theatre vocabulary and its practical application.
• Describe the role and importance of the audience in the final phase of a production.

3. Collaboration and Professional Relationships

• Engage in productive collaborative practices with peers and instructors, contributing to a positive and creative team environment.
• Apply techniques for managing professional relationships within the context of a theatrical production.
• Implement directorial notes effectively, demonstrating adaptability and responsiveness to feedback.

4. Character Embodiment and Performance

• Develop and refine physical and vocal techniques to portray characters authentically and dynamically.
• Demonstrate textual analysis skills, making informed and imaginative choices in character portrayal.
• Engage in responsive and interactive performance practices, adapting to scene partners and stage environments.
• Participate in constructive critique sessions, providing and receiving feedback in a professional manner.
• Perform confidently in public settings, showcasing developed skills in a live theatrical production.

Canvas: Access Canvas through utah.instructure.com or through CIS. For Canvas, Passwords, or any other computer-related technical support contact the Campus Help Desk at: Phone: 801 581-4000; Web address: http://it.utah.edu/help; Email address: helpdesk@utah.edu. For Canvas related issues or bugs, contact the Teaching & Learning Technologies help desk at Phone: 801-581-6112 ext 2; or Email: classhelp@utah.edu

Required materials: An electronic device (laptop, tablet, etc.) capable of accessing Canvas and running internet applications with speakers or headphones; Adobe Acrobat Reader; MS Word or compatible word processing software; MS PowerPoint or compatible presentation software.

Required texts: Resources available on Canvas and in the production "Actor Box".

• Production Script
• Dramaturgy Actor Packet

Please review the communication methods and requirements for this course:

Preferred Contact Methods

The easiest way to contact your instructor directly is to use the    Inbox, located in the far left Canvas menu.

You can also contact your instructor in the following ways:

• via email at sam.briggs@utah.edu (preferred)

Office Hours

The instructor will hold office hours according to the following schedule:

Day(s): Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00 PM & Wednesdays, 1:00-2:00 PM 

By appointment

Given the nature of this course, attendance is required and any adjustments must be approved by Production, but cannot be guaranteed.

You are expected to be at every rehearsal call, performance, fitting, and other show activity on time. Theatre is a collaborative and active art; missing a rehearsal, fitting, lesson, or performance not only means missing information that you will not be able to make up elsewhere, but also impacts the entire cast, crew, and production team.

DoT CONFLICT POLICY

Due to the intense and collaborative nature of the production process, there is a no-conflict policy when it comes to all official DoT season productions, whether it be during rehearsal, tech, performances, fittings, or any other mandatory calls.

During the Audition Process

• No excusals for pre-existing conflicts are guaranteed.
• For conflicts to be considered, they must be listed on the audition form. Listed conflicts are subject to approval by MTP and ATP Area Heads.
• Students will be contacted regarding their conflicts at the time of casting.
  • If students have not been contacted, they may not assume conflicts have been accepted and must follow up with the production management directly.

After Casting Has Been Posted

• For conflicts to be considered after the audition process, they must go through production management. You can reach production management at theatre-pm@utah.edu.
• Conflict requests may be submitted up to 1 month prior to the first rehearsal of the production. If a conflict is not requested before that date, it will not be approved.
• If you have not been contacted before the cutoff date listed above, you cannot assume that the conflict has been approved. Check in with production management if you have questions.

Please see "Extreme Personal Circumstances" section below for policies regarding medical and other last-minute emergencies.

The DoT has created a policy to ensure an environment that is inclusive and professional. Below are the steps taken in the event of unprofessional activity. Please see the DoT professional behaviors policy for additional information about warning, probation, and dismissal. 

Pre-Warning: This stage warrants a meeting with the area head to discuss best practices and how we can help you.

Example actions that lead to a pre-warning meeting include:

• 3x 1-5 minutes late
• 1x 15+ minutes late (6-14 min at area head discretion)
• 1x missed costume fitting
• Not being off book by the "off book" date, typically the first rehearsal

Warning: This stage will result in an official warning letter from DoT Chair.

Example actions that lead to an official warning include:

• 3x (additional) 1-5 minutes late
• 1x (additional) 15+ minutes late (6-14 min at area head discretion)
• 1x unexcused absence
• 2nd missed fitting

Probation: This stage will result in course failure and removal from the project.

Example actions that lead to an official probation and course failure include:

• 1x (additional) unexcused absence
• Continued lateness as monitored by the Area Head
• ANY behavior that threatens the safety and wellbeing of others

Area Heads will look at rehearsal reports and Canvas course attendance to find consistent lateness or other issues and follow the warning, probation, dismissal policy set forth above. NOTE: ALL PRE-WARNING, WARNING, AND PROBATION INCIDENTS WILL AFFECT FUTURE CASTING/ASSIGNMENTS.

Grading in this course will be based on a holistic assessment of each student’s development and performance in relation to the course objectives. Given the practical nature of the course, emphasis will be on the demonstration of skills and personal growth rather than traditional academic assignments.

Grading Criteria

Professional Practices and Behavior (40%)

• Punctuality and consistent attendance.
• Preparedness and focus during rehearsals and classes.
• Respectful and professional behavior.
• Level of commitment and engagement with the course activities.

Technical Process Understanding (20%)

• Ability to articulate the stages of production.
• Demonstration of technical vocabulary understanding.
• Insight into the role of the audience and response to live performance scenarios.

Collaboration and Professional Relationships (20%)

• Effectiveness in collaborative settings.
• Responsiveness to directorial feedback.
• Management of professional relationships within the production environment.

Character Embodiment and Performance (20%)

• Physical and vocal skill development.
• Textual analysis and character portrayal choices.
• Constructive participation in critique sessions.
• Quality of public performance and adaptability on stage.

Performance Levels

A (90-100%): Outstanding demonstration of course objectives. Consistent excellence in professional behavior, technical understanding, collaboration, and performance skills. Significant growth and breakthroughs in character embodiment and stage presence.

B (80-89%): Above-average achievement in meeting course objectives. Strong understanding and application of technical processes and professional practices. Notable improvement and active engagement in all aspects of the course.

C (70-79%): Satisfactory achievement of basic course objectives. Adequate understanding and participation in production processes, but with room for further development and engagement.

D (60-69%): Below average in meeting course objectives. Limited engagement or understanding of course material. Needs significant improvement in several areas.

E (Below 60%): Insufficient demonstration of course objectives. Lack of engagement, commitment, or understanding of the fundamental aspects of the course.

Additional Notes

• Feedback will be given regularly to aid in student development.
• Students are encouraged to reflect on their progress and seek guidance as needed.
• Attendance and active participation are crucial due to the practical nature of the course.

University of Utah grading scale

Disclaimer

Accommodations will be considered on an individual basis and may require documentation.

Please contact your instructor and/or teaching assistant as soon as possible (preferably shortly before the semester begins) to request accommodations of any kind.

Extreme personal circumstances

Please contact your instructor as soon as possible if an extreme personal circumstance
(hospitalization, death of a close relative, natural disaster, etc.) is interfering with your ability to complete your work.

• If a performer or crew member is sick, an official doctor’s note may be required to be considered “excused” from a rehearsal, tech or performance.
• All students are subject to the relevant course syllabus regarding the effect of the absence on their grade.
• Once the production has moved into the performance venue, a doctor’s note AND area head approval are required. If these are not received it may result in dismissal from the production and/or failure of the course.

Religious Practice

To request an accommodation for religious practices, contact your instructor at the beginning of the semester or one month before the first rehearsal, whichever is sooner.

Active Duty Military

If you are a student on active duty with the military and experience issues that prevent you from participating in the course because of deployment or service responsibilities, contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Content Warnings

Please be aware that some materials and discussions within this course may contain challenging content. Your instructor may choose to notify students of potentially difficult content (e.g. explicit language, graphic images, violent themes, etc.) throughout the course.

If there are specific subjects that you need advanced notice for, please contact your instructor at the beginning of the semester.

First Rehearsal: September 8, 2025

Off-Book: You should be off book the second time we work each scene

First Onstage Rehearsal: October 17, 2025

First Tech: October 19, 2025

Opening: October 24, 2025

Closing: November 2, 2025

• September 8-14: Read through, table work, Act I
• September 15-21: Act I & Act II
• September 22-28: Act III & Epilogue, off book
• September 29-October 5: Clean up, prep for tour
• October 6-12: Fall break
• October 13-19: Prep for tour, move into 115, crew training, dry tech, tech
• October 20-26: Dress rehearsals, opening night
• October 27-November 2: Performances & tour

Cast Calendar

The cast calendar is a live document housed in the DoT Prospero database. Please be sure to reference this calendar regularly, as well as all daily schedules sent out by the stage management team.

Access the cast calendar here: https://view.prosperoapp.com/utah/RURCast/month 

Full Production Calendar

The full production calendar includes all information from the cast calendar, as well as all design, technical, and crew information.

Access the full production calendar here: https://view.prosperoapp.com/utah/rur/list 

This syllabus is not a contract. It is meant to serve as an outline and guide for your course. Please note that your instructor may modify it to accommodate the needs of your class.

You will be notified of any changes to the Calendar and/or Syllabus.