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Theatre 493b – Periods and Styles
Spring 2014 — Friday — 2 - 3:50 pm
Location: KAP 164
Instructor: Leah Piehl
Office Hours: By appointment
Contact Info: [email protected]
cell 310-922-7730
Course Description and Overview
A survey of the influence of historical and cultural events on the evaluation of theatrical
styles. The Romanitic Period through the 20th century.
Learning Objectives
 To understand the lines, silhouettes, and details of fashion and architecture from the 19th Century
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through the present day.
To review progress, politics, art, and world events that help determine the reasons for the styles of
different eras and locations.
To complete a series of conceptual design exercises which explore period specific themes
Prerequisite(s): Theatre 493a
Required Readings and Supplementary Materials
Period Style for the Theatre, Douglas A. Russell
Handouts
Description of Grading Criteria and Assessment of Assignments
Students are expected to complete all assignments and reading on the date assigned. There will be no makeup
for the midterm or final exam. Participation and discussion of reading/homework is mandatory. Quizzes
may be given on reading at the discretion of the instructor.
Grading Breakdown
The final course grade is based on the following point scale: A=96-100; A-=91-95; B+=88-90; B=85-87; B=81-84; C+=78-80; C=75-77; C-=71-74; D+=67-70; D=64-66; D-=61-63; F=60 or below. Point values are
assigned to individual tests, quizzes and projects.
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Students are expected to arrive at class on time.
There shall be no unexcused absences
No late assignments, projects, exams, papers, or exercised shall be accepted unless advance
extensions have been arranged between the student and the teacher or unless exceptional
circumstances occur.
Grading scale
Participation/Quizes
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Cubism Project
Bob Rauschenberg Project
Opera Project
20%
20%
20%
10%
15%
15%
Assignment Submission Policy
Assignments are submitted in class in the form of group critique. Critique and presentation is integral to the
success of the projects as they are geared toward teaching students how to prepare for, research and present
concepts in a specific period to theater collaborators.
Additional Policies
Use of cell phones is prohibited. Use of laptops for note taking is permitted but students must not use the
internet for purposes outside of what is happening in class.
Course Assignments
Cubist Project
We will explore the nature of cubism and what the cubist artist and designer sought to achieve through this
abstract modern art form. Using these concepts, each student will choose a cubist painting for inspiration and
create a “cubist” design for architecture or clothing. The design should be an exploration, highly conceptual
in nature. I ask that you use paper to create your design which can be either two or three dimensional. You
will be graded on the completeness of your design and your ability to communicate your concept as it relates
to the painting you’ve used as inspiration.
Bob Rauschenberg America Project
As we move into mid-century design, we will read Chuck Mee’s, Bob Rauschenberg America, and respond
to the play as scenic and costume designers. We will begin this process by finding research (Rauschenberg
and otherwise...) that inspires us and is specific to this period (1950’s - 1960’s). How does Rauschenberg’s
work inform the design? How does it influence the text? How do we utilize this thematically when designing
a play abstractly about the artists life? Students will present research and basic concept ideas for costumes
and scenery. You need to be able to communicate a clear and concise point of view for how you would take
next steps towards actual costume and scenic renderings. Rough thumbnail sketches or descriptions with
research are examples of ways of presenting your designs for the play.
Contemporary Opera Project
As we move into modern day, we will learn how to deal with the problems associated with designing
contemporary theater, dance and opera. For this project, we will focus on contemporary art and fashion as
inspiration for an opera design. I will choose an opera and we will spend several weeks in the design process
as a class. One week we will all present our research and inspiration for the opera. This is a time to develop
concepts and ask fellow students for feedback. You will talk through your research and discuss why each
image is interesting to you as a designer. The following week, students will present contemporary/abstract
costume and scenic designs for the opera. You may find inspiration from a variety of sources including but
not limited to art, the urban landscape, contemporary media, haute couture, architecture and interior design.
There are endless resources available to us as designers of contemporary work so use your imagination!
Final Examination Date:
Monday May 12, 2-4 pm
NOTE: All undergraduate classes must meet for the Final Examination as established by the
University. You may not hold your final examination on the last day of classes.
Statement for Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability
Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be
obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as early in the semester as possible.
DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Website and contact
Syllabus for Theatre 493b Page 2 of 4
information for DSP: http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html, (213) 7400776 (Phone), (213) 740-6948 (TDD only), (213) 740-8216 (FAX) [email protected].
Statement on Academic Integrity
USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include the
concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be
submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own academic
work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students are expected
to understand and abide by these principles. SCampus, the Student Guidebook, (www.usc.edu/scampus or
http://scampus.usc.edu) contains the University Student Conduct Code (see University Governance, Section
11.00), while the recommended sanctions are located in Appendix A.
Emergency Preparedness/Course Continuity in a Crisis
In case of a declared emergency if travel to campus is not feasible, USC executive leadership will announce
an electronic way for instructors to teach students in their residence halls or homes using a combination of
Blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technologies.
Course Schedule: A Weekly Breakdown
Jan 17
Introduction to Course – Review Syllabus – Meet and Greet – Research Project
Sign-up; Review Romantic Style; Pages 243 - 265
Jan 24
Attend tech rehearsal/run-through at South Coast Repertory, The Light in the Piazza
Jan 31
Realistic Style: Crinoline (1850-1869) and The Bustle Period; Pages 267 - 291
Feb 7
Symbolist Style: Turn of the Century, The Edwardian Period and WWI; Pages 293 - 311
Feb 14
Relativism and Modern Style: Cubism and Fashion; The 20’s and 30’s; Pages 315 - 334
Feb 21
Present a collaged paper cubist architectural or garment design inspired by a cubist
painting; WWII, Fashion and Fascism 1940‘s; Reading - Handouts
Feb 28
1950’s - Read Bob Rauschenberg America
Mar 7
Midterm
Mar 14
Contemporary or Post Modern Style, 1960’s etc.; Pages 339 - 361 - Present scenic and
costume research and concepts for Bob Rauschenberg America - How do we relate the
artists work and other stylistic elements of the period to a theatrical production?
Mar 21
Spring Break
Mar 28
1970’s; Reading - Handouts
Apr 4
1980’s; Reading - Handouts
Apr 11
Modern day - What is contemporary art, fashion and culture; How do we approach this
question in the theater? Reading - Handouts
Syllabus for Theatre 493b Page 3 of 4
Apr 18
Researching contemporary art - How does the theater today draw from contemporary art,
fashion and architecture as a framework for design? Exploration of the Avant Garde. Group
discussion and presentation of research for a contemporary opera
Apr 25
Presentation of Abstract Costume and Scenic designs for a contemporary opera - Group
discussion and critique
May 2
Catch up and review
Syllabus for Theatre 493b Page 4 of 4