Philosophy
Students from my Fall 2023 Elements of Design course sharing their design work with each other
As an educator, I operate in a “student-first” mindset by actively listening to the needs of the students in order to best assist them in achieving their goals as artists. As someone who has taught an introductory design class, I noticed just how varied each student’s goals are. Some want to off to be an actor while others want to pursue directing. I can rarely predict what the whole class desires from my course. Therefore, I make a consistent point to frequently check in, whether it’s through anonymous surveys or in-class discussions with my students, to ensure I’m catering the course to their educational needs. This has ultimately leads my students to discover how they can best express their unique artistic visions through my courses. The artistic journey is a personal one, and I aim to facilitate a space that allows for safe self-expression and valuable educational exploration.
Elements of Design (ThR 240)
This is an introductory design course that I developed in Fall 2022 and continue to teach each semester until I graduate next Spring. The core objectives of the course are focused on the conceptual design tools and processes of theatrical designers. This ranges from a general overview of lighting, costumes, and scenery, to the individual steps of the production process. This is a project based course that has two primary projects over the course of the semester, one of which assesses each student’s ability to conceptualize a theatrical design and another which assesses each student’s ability to design within a simulated production process. My personal goals of the class are to provide a space for students to explore their potential interest in design while also providing the knowledge that can assist them for their pursuits in other areas of theatre.
Group Design Project
Across the second half of the semester in groups of three, students create a conceptual design for a play of their choice. Each group will have a member serve as either the costume, scenic, or lighting designer for their group and work together to create a fully realized conceptual design for their play.
Throughout this process, portions of class time are dedicated to meet with groups to discuss design ideas and share progress.
The goal of this project is to assess each student’s ability to follow the design process and collaborate with other designers as part of a design team.
Design a Song Project
Across the first half of the semester, students conceptualize a theatrical design inspired by a song of their choice using their understanding of the fundamental tools and principles of design. The objective of this project is to take a song and translate it into a theatrical context. This includes the development of a setting, character, and plot, which will result in the creation of a conceptual set, costume, and lighting design.
The goal of this project is to assess each student’s ability to express a design idea using the elements and principles of design and their ability to apply the expressive elements of theatrical design to a design idea.