College of Fine Arts School of Dance Undergraduate Handbook

Scene Designer

a.  Required Materials

1) Scene Shop

  1. (a) ½ or ¼ inch ground plans
  2. (b) Section (when needed)
  3. (c) ½ inch working drawings and detail plates
  4. (d) Rendering or model

2) Paint Shop

  1. (a) Color elevations
  2. (b) Technique elevations or samples
  3. (c) Detail drawings (when appropriate)

3) Prop Shop

  1. (a) Prop plot, including furniture, set dressing, and hand props
  2. (b) Research, photos, sketches shopwing size, color, style, period, and material
  3. (c) List of stock items to be us

If you need help or any design information see the Design Faculty. If you have questions on materials and construction see the Technical Director or a member of the Design Faculty.

When the show goes into the shop, the Designer should come in DAILY to check with the Technical Director about progress and questions. If you cannot make it in person, call.

b. Scene Designer’s Paint Responsibilities

1) It is the student designer’s responsibility to set up a meeting with the Faculty Scenic Advisor. Out of this meeting labor and resources will be budgeted, materials will be ordered and a timetable will be developed outlining when the specific paint projects will take place.

2) The designer is responsible for overseeing the painting of all scenery. He or she should provide artistic supervision for the paint crews, answer questions, and to assist in painting.

3) Productions average three weeks of paint labor per Mainstage show. A week consists of approximately 30 hours of unskilled labor.

4) No painting of scenery is allowed outside of supervised work calls.

c. Scene Designers’ Prop Design Responsibilities

1) The scene designer should discuss prop needs with the director early in the design meetings.

2) The designer must attend the director’s props meeting with the props coordinator. At this meeting the designer should supply the props coordinator with: a plan including furniture plot, set dressing plot, research, specific information on color, special requirements, and working drawings of props to be constructed.

3) A time to visit hand prop storage and/or the warehouse should be scheduled at least three days prior to the first rehearsal. This time should be spent pulling rehearsal props and noting any props you might want for the actual production.

4) When the rehearsal period begins, the designer should arrange a regular meeting time in the prop shop (in addition to the production meetings). The purpose of these meetings is to have the designer available to answer questions so that the production is not delayed.

5) All purchases for University Theatre shows must be approved by the Technical Director. Shopping trips will be scheduled when needed.

6) The scene designer should keep in touch with the stage manager. He or she will provide you with information about specific prop problems discovered in rehearsals.