PD Course

Concept-Based Design for the Theatre Teacher

Name: Concept-Based Design for the Theatre Teacher
Author: Matt Webster

Created by Matt Webster

10 modules 1 hours, 38 minutes 3 Credit Hours production directing set design

Concept-Based Design is a method of design that allows the director and production team to create a unified world based on the ideas, perceptions and images extracted from an in-depth analysis of the play. Matt Webster designed this course for theatre teachers in a typical school setting with limited budgets, space and materials to use towards the design of their shows. Many theatre teachers feel most unsure about their design and tech skills and Matt wanted to help those teachers look at design differently, and make designing a show a little less scary and a little more fun!

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Lesson 0

Introduction

7:36 FREE PREVIEW
- View Module: Introduction
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Lesson 1

Selecting a Play

11:33 FREE PREVIEW

In this lesson you’ll learn about how to select a play for your school by taking into consideration your school and local communities as well as your talent pool.
- View Module: Selecting a Play
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Lesson 2

Time, Space and Money

21:23

Producing a play from start to finish takes planning and a goal. In lesson two you’ll learn about creating a schedule and obtaining the rights for your production. By examining your production needs and the resources and limitations of your school’s program and facility, you’ll be far better prepared for your production.
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Lesson 3

Understanding the Concept-Driven Production

7:57

Lesson three defines what a concept is and how it can be applied to the various production elements of your show.
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Lesson 4

Creating the Concept Design

8:50

Script analysis and understanding the theme of your play will help to drive your concept and design. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to analyze your script and identify possible themes that will support the concept that drives the design of your show.
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Lesson 5

Generating a Design

3:35

In lesson five you’ll use what you’ve been developing throughout the other lessons such as a conceptual statement to address design challenges and problem solving. You’re guided through the process and provided with multiple examples.
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Lesson 6

The 'What If?' Game

8:05

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to play the “What-If” game to further your ideas and to help you think outside of the box in addressing challenges and new ideas for your design.
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Lesson 7

Advertising & Publicity

8:51

Lesson seven introduces you to the idea of how to use your conceptual design as part of the advertising campaign for your show. Step by step instructions and clear examples are provided.
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Lesson 8

Using Existing Scenic Elements

14:14

In this lesson, you’re going to learn the five basic pieces of scenery you must have in your stocks for nearly every occasion. If you have these five pieces, you can generate just about anything.
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Lesson 9

Teaching Concept-Based Design

6:24

Lesson nine will show you how to teach concept-based design to your students. By starting at the very beginning, a blank scene, your students will work individually, in pairs, and in small groups to analyze a script and apply the various techniques you’ve learned throughout this course to develop a concept-based design.