Self-Produced Student Projects

Each semester any student can submit a proposal for a Self-Produced Student Project. Such projects may include a “traditional” scripted play, dance creation, devised theatre project, solo piece, or other. The focus of the projects will be on working closely with actors and imaginative storytelling. The technical aspects of the projects will be kept at a minimum. The performances of Self-Produced Student Projects take place every fall. 

The proposals will be submitted to the Student Script Advisory Committee, (SSAC) which will evaluate the projects based on the guidelines listed below. 

Guidelines

1. Artistic Merit
2. Feasibility and do-ability of the project from the technical, casting, organizational, and other points of view.
3. Quality of the proposal in terms of clarity of vision, overall organization of the proposal, etc…
4. Evidence that the proposed director of the project has completed the relevant coursework and/or has collected enough experience in producing/directing during their life here at the College.

The Theatre Department faculty and staff will have no involvement with the choice of the project with one single exception: The winning proposal as chosen by the Student Script Advisory Committee will be forwarded to Matthew Robins for approval and/or for necessary adjustments in the technical scope of the proposed production. See below for more specific logistics.

Responsibilities

Each Self-Produced Student Project will inevitably have a different organizational structure. However, each of the Projects will identify a Technical and Production Coordinator, who will bear the ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY for all production and technical aspects of the project. They will be responsible for the smooth functioning of every single technical and production aspect of the Project. They may assign individual responsibilities for the various production areas to others, however the ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY will rest with them, and they will report to Matthew Robins.

Logistics

Dates and Facilities Use

• The projects will take place each semester. Specific dates will be decided each year by the Theatre Department faculty and staff depending on the placement of the Fall One-Acts, and/or other department generated productions.
• The performances will take place in the Black Box Theatre
• The Projects will be able to use the Black Box Theatre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the assigned week after all classes have concluded in the Black Box.
• No scenery, props, lights, etc. for the project will be moved into, and/or permanently live in the Black Box before the above-mentioned Thursday evening, and they will be properly stored outside the Black Box in a location designated by Matthew.
• There will be three actual performances maximum: Friday noon or EARLY afternoon, Friday evening, and Saturday evening. The Friday noon/early afternoon performance is required so that Department staff/faculty can attend.
• The strike will follow the last performance on Saturday. All materials, set pieces, costumes, props, audio equipment, and others that were brought in from outside the Department must be removed from the Black Box on that Saturday night. All props, set pieces, costumes, and other items that have been checked out from the Department must be stored in their assigned place so as to not interfere with the classes on the following Monday, and returned to their proper place on Monday morning following the last performance
• Directors and actors are responsible for finding rehearsal space. These may need to be scheduled outside the Theatre Department facilities.

Set and Props

Students are welcome to create any sets they deem appropriate. However, any set construction, painting, or special set pieces can only be constructed outside the theatre facilities and shops. The following is a rough list of objects freely available to student production to aid in the creation of setting:

• 4 Folding Black Flats- Each measuring 4’x9’ when folded in half
• The 2 doorways stored in the Black Box
• The acting blocks stored in the Black Box
• Any stock flats stored in the Scene Shop
• Any stock stair units stored in the Scene Shop
• Any random pieces of scenery (door flats, window flats, braces, castered platforms, etc.) that are in storage.
• Any hand props stored in the prop loft
• Select furniture in storage

Note - No stage curtains will be made available to student productions.

Costumes

The costume support for the projects will be minimal. Students are strongly encouraged to use their own clothes for costumes with the exception of very specific character needs. In such cases, the costume check out will follow the established procedures for other class and creative projects. There will be no alteration of checked-out costumes.

Lights

Students will use the existing lighting plot in the Black Box. All lighting will be created using the existing plot. There will be no re-hanging and/or re-focusing, and the students will not have access to the BB control booth.

Sound

Sound support for the projects will be limited to the use of smart classroom system and/or any other sound system that the students develop themselves. Since there will be no access to the BB control booth, the in-house sound system will not be available to the students.

Seating and Ground Plans

Students can use the chairs in the Black Box, as well as any other appropriate seating arrangements, such as pillows, blankets, bare floor, standing room, etc. There will be no risers provided, all seating will be floor level, and neither the performers nor the audience will be using the catwalks. The ground plan of the actual production will be dictated by the existing lighting plot, but within that plot, students can devise any ground plan and seating arrangement they wish. 114 is the capacity of the Black Box as dictated by the Fire Marshal and will be strictly adhered to.