Art on the Stage: Using Charles Mee’s Artist Plays to Practice the Design Process

Submitted by Mary Elizabeth Valesano, University of Detroit Mercy Abstract: Students are asked to design 3 costumes and 1 set for one of the following plays: “Van Gogh’s Sunflowers,” “Matisse’s Self Portrait,” or “Picasso’s Masterpiece,” all by Charles Mee. As all three plays are based on the life and work of a famous artist, students […]

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American Flag Model Box

This project challenges the student to deconstruct the American flag to explore thematic connections using line, form, color, texture, space, and composition.  This project is introduced after a lengthy discussion of symbolism and how powerful symbols are within society.  This project is a week-long project that has been adapted from Paul Shortt.  It has been successfully […]

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Design and Technology for Performance Syllabus

Course Title: Design and Technology for Performance Syllabus Course Description: This course is an introduction to principles and practical application of techniques for designing theatre, music and other types of live performance. This course includes practical aspects of designing and producing live performance. Topics include lighting, sets and space, clothing and costume design, sound; may include […]

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History of Period Styles and Décor Syllabus

Course Description Survey of architectural elements, furnishings, and decorative motifs useful to theatre designers: prehistoric through modern including Far Eastern styles. This course is a visual survey of the major “periods” of architecture, furnishings, decorative motifs, and ornamentation, coupled with a history of costume survey. The purpose of this class is to assist theatre artists […]

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Cornell Box Project

An end of the semester final project that allows the student to select one of the 7 plays/musicals discussed in class and create an assemblage/sculpture on the major themes/motifs of the selected play. The assemblage/sculpture is not titled, allowing for the class to see if they can identify the play by looking at the composition […]

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