School of Theater Fall 2020 Academic Plan

In the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts, we have planned all courses, sections, hours, room allocation, building usage and student numbers to be appropriate to the current COVID-19 emergency, following CDC and local authority guidelines, and those of relevant professional organizations. The following adjustments will be made: 

  • Several non-essential courses have been postponed, but many essential courses have increased sections in order to accommodate social distancing requirements.
  • Care has been taken to monitor how many theater students will be on a floor of the Terra building at any given time. Where the numbers were found to be excessive, we have  moved some of our classes to other buildings and are holding some evening and weekend classes. 
  • Approximately 50% of courses are on site and in person, 30% will be taught remotely and 20% are a hybrid of the two.
  • In person on campus:
    • All Dance, Movement and Acting Studios
    • Most Theater Design and Technology studio classes
    • Stage Combat
    • Directing Studios
  • Taught remotely:
    • All Critical Studies
    • All History classes
    • Stage Management I and Advanced Management
    • Theater Management
    • Business of Theater
    • Survey of Theater Arts
    • Playwriting I
    • Vectorworks
    • All Voice lessons and The Singing Instrument Class
    • Language and Diction
    • Music Skills
    • Design-Tech Practicums
  • Hybrid:
    • Musical Theater Performance
    • Movement lab
    • Voice and Speech
    • Director/Designer Collaboration
    • Exploration of Style
    • Collaboration in Theater
    • Intro to Practicum
    • Production Practicum
    • Stage Management II
    • Playwright’s Workshop
    • Musical Theater Making
    • Acting on Camera
    • Showcase Preparation
       

  • Voice lessons are virtual this fall because it is the recommended guideline from both NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and MTEA (the Musical Theater Educators Alliance). Because of the way that virus droplets emerge from the deepest part of the lung when singing, and hang higher in the air from the powerful but sustained disbursement of air when holding notes, singing near others without "proper ventilation" is incredibly dangerous. Before the pandemic voice coaching existed as an online practice for years. We have tested and proven its effectiveness and excellence.

  • Musical Theater Performance studios are being offered as hybrid courses in that the bulk of the classwork will happen in person in Terra studios, but some of the work will happen remotely where appropriate. There are very important lessons that can be taught remotely for this work. There are lessons that went online for the first time this spring and enjoyed significant levels of success in that format.  No MTP studio will have more than 8 students in the room at any given time. There is enough space for 8 students, 1 instructor, and 1 accompanist to share the room and maintain a social distance of 10 feet per person that way (10 feet is the NATS & MTEA guideline for "necessary" singing).

  • A rigorous cleaning schedule will be instituted for all studios. In the case of Movement and Dance studios, we are following the guidelines of Dance USA’s Task Force on Dance Health. No room will be used consecutively by different groups. In other words, a complete class period will be left for floor cleaning. In the case of studios and classes which are less physical in nature, 20 minutes will be left between class periods for departing students to wipe down their chairs and equipment. All classrooms and studios will be cleaned before the next day.
     

  • This schedule will involve some compression of the usual 15-week semester, but all students will receive the same hours of instruction as usual for each course they are registered for. This will involve a small number of extra classes in the evening or on Saturdays.

Production Schedule

  • The Brind School WILL make theater this semester.
  • We are working with the directors of the fall season to create dynamic and groundbreaking theater experiences that follow all health and social distancing guidelines. 
  • We prioritize safety and innovation. It is probable that you will not be performing live in an enclosed space in front of the public
  • Theater artists are always involved in creative problem solving and, in this and all moments, we are imagining new ways to make theater. The question remains the same: how can we reach and make an impact on the audience? 
  • No matter what, we will share meaningful processes together that deepen and develop your artistry. We might even discover new forms, techniques and tools for the future.