TH 309 Preparation for the Theatre Profession (3 Cr.

)
Spring 2016
Instructor: Jonathan Flom
Office: 127-I
email: jflom@su.edu
Class Meeting Times: Tue/Thu 2pm-3:15pm, Ruebush 146
Office Hours: Tue/Thu 12-2pm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Course Description: This course will provide information and strategies for becoming a theatre
professional. Major areas of emphasis include audition technique, the theatre business,
and networking. Three credits.
Prerequisite: TH 202, TH 203 or permission of instructor.
Course Foundation: This course will provide the student with a solid understanding of personal
branding, the theatre and professional performance industries, as well as general lifemanagement and financial planning skills.
Required Text:
Act Like Its Your Business by Jonathan Flom
Recommended Theatre Business Reading:
The Thriving Artists by Joe Abraham and Christine Negherbon
Audition Freedom by VP Boyle
Recommended non-Theatre Reading:
Thrive by Arianna Huffington
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath
The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke by Suze Orman
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink
Learning Outcomes:
a.
Goal setting (long and short-term)
b.
Brand creation and management

c.
d.
e.
f.

Brand application to theatre (headshots, resumes, attire, repertoire, social media, etc.)
Marketing strategies (including web use)
Money management
The nuts and bolts of the theatre business

Evidence of Student Learning:

1. Students will present their SPARK goal-planning.
2. Students will launch their personal brand, including a fully designed website.
3. Students will create a budget log.
4. Students will upload a YouTube video as well as present research on Headshot
Photographers.
SU Grading System:
B+
C+
D+

87-89%
77-79%
67-69%

A
B
C
D

93-100%
83-86%
73-76%
60-66%

ABCF

90-92%
80-82%
70-72%
<60%

Course Evaluation:
20% Daily Class Participation (punctual attendance; daily assignments; discussions)
10% Agent/Casting Director Workshop Attendance (pass/failminimum of 3)
10% Book Report Presentation
15% Business assignments (resume, cover letter, financials, etc.)
10% YouTube Postings
15% City presentations
20% Website
Attendance Policy:
Each class will cover specific and valuable information that cannot be made up;
therefore, it is imperative that the student schedules any conflicts in advance and
completes assignments ahead of schedule. No make-ups will be given for missed material
-- no exceptions. Showing up is 90 percent of getting the job; any student unable to be
present for each and every class should consider postponing taking this course until able
to do so. Absences will result in a zero grade for the days participation/assignment and
will ultimately lower the students final grade.
Class will begin promptly at 2pm; two late arrivals will be counted as an absence.
In addition to class attendance, you must attend AT LEAST THREE
AGENT/CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOPS. Please note that these meet on
weekends, so pay attention to the calendar. Attendance at these workshops is part of
your final grade.
Upon recommendation of the instructor to the dean or director of an academic program, a student
with excessive absences (defined as five 50-minute, three 75-minute, or two 150- minute classes
in succession or 30 percent of all class meetings by mid-term or after) may be administratively
withdrawn from a class.

Preparation and Participation:

Class participation is 20% of your grade. See grading and attendance sections for details.
Students with Disabilities: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination
against individuals with disabilities. Under ADA, a disability is defined as a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. If you need accommodations because
of a disability, please register with the Office of Learning Resources and Services (located in the
Academic Enrichment Center in Howe Hall, room 204) at the beginning of each semester, or as
soon as possible, so that arrangements can be made. Accommodations are granted on a case-bycase basis with the support of proper documentation. Please call the office of Learning
Resources and Services at 540-665-4928 or email dss@su.edu for information and/or to make an
appointment to discuss your needs. You will find more information at: http://www.studentlife.su.edu/disability-services/
Honor Code: The SU Honor Code prohibits lying, stealing, and cheating. As a faculty member
of SU, I am dedicated to upholding the standards of academic integrity prescribed by the Honor
Code, and I do not tolerate academic dishonesty for any reason. If I suspect a violation has
occurred, I will take action. If you have questions about the Honor Code, please come talk to me
or refer to Honor Code on the SU website. Logging in to a SU system with a SU issued login
signifies that you are agreeing to abide by the SU Honor Code.
Inclement Weather: Notice of class cancellations and campus closings will occur through the
Emergency Alert System and will be placed on area radio and television stations, the SU Web
site and the University phone system.
Student Complaint Policy: Shenandoah University affirms the right of students to bring forth
complaints and is committed to resolving these matters in a fair, equitable and timely manner, so
as to protect the rights of both the individual and the community. Refer to the student catalog for
specific procedures.
Student Privacy: Annually, Shenandoah University provides information to students concerning
their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA).
This act was designed to protect the privacy of education records and afford students certain
rights with respect to their education records. Refer to the student catalog for specific procedures.
Student Support Services:
The Library online materials are available 24/7:
http://www.su.edu/university-libraries/
The IC Help Desk are available 24/7:
https://workorder.su.edu/helpdesk/
The Counseling resources are available at:
http://www.student-life.su.edu/counseling-center-home/

COURSE CALENDAR
Week 1 (Jan. 19, 21)
In-Class: Course Introduction; SPARK:
Assignments: Manage Social Media Trio; Budget Log; Short Video Challenge
Week 2 (Jan. 26, 28)
In-Class: Screen Short Videos; Group Building Focus Exercises; Explain Book Report
Presentations (assign groups)
Assignments: Begin Budget Log;
Read ALIYB Pg. v-8; 9-28
Week 3 (Feb. 2, 4)
In-Class: Branding 101
Assignments: Read ALIYB Pg. 29-38; Work on branding/adjective exercises;
Week 4 (Feb. 9, 11)
In-Class: Branding continued | Applied to headshots & resumes; Cover letters
Assignments: Headshot research; Audition submissions
Read ALIYB Pg. 38-87
Dress for Brand next week
Week 5 (Feb. 16, 18)
In-Class: Brand applied to clothing (Dress brand) | Repertoire, Social Media; The Six Bes
Assignments: ALIYB Pg. 87-101; 117-131
Week 6 (Feb. 23, 25)
In-Class: Check in on budget log; Finances, Credit, Taxes; Survival jobs, Self-Employment
Assignments: Finalize Book Report Presentations
Week 7 (Mar. 1, 3)
In-Class: Book Report Presentations (See handout)
Assignments: ALIYB Pg. 133-151
------SPRING BREAK No Class. Do something nice for your career!-----Week 8 (Mar. 15, 17)
In-Class: Tuesday Discussion of Audition Technique | Skype session with Tony Howell,
GetCreativeSocialMedia.com
Assignments: ALIYB Pg. 155-178; 231-238;
The Cities Project; YouTube Postings

Week 9 (Mar. 22, 24)

In-Class: Agents, casting directors, unions.
Assignments: ALIYB Pg. 179-205
** SATURDAY, MARCH 26 10am-4pm, Diane Riley (Harden Curtis), Jason Styres
(Binder Casting), & Ashley Landay (K/M/R & Assoc.) **
Week 10 (Mar. 29, 31)
In-Class: Websites; View YouTube Postings
Assignments: ALIYB Pg. 106-117
**SATURDAY, APRIL 2 10am-4pm, Joy Dewing (Joy Dewing Casting)**
Week 11 (Apr. 5, 7)
In-Class: View YouTube Postings; Begin Presenting City Projects.
Week 12 (Apr. 12, 14)
In-Class: Continue Presenting City Projects.
**SATURDAY, APRIL 16 10am-4pm, Kaitlin Shaw (Tara Rubin Casting)**
Week 13 (Apr. 19, 21)
In-Class: Networking; contracts; taking/turning down work
Assignments: ALIYB Pg. 207-230
Week 14 (Apr. 26)
In-Class: Catch-up
NOTE: April 28 is honorary Friday. Friday classes meet.
Week 15 (May 3, 5)
In-Class: Begin showing ready websites
FINAL EXAM TIME
Tuesday, May 10 2-4:30pm
Finish showing all websites

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOUR CAREER TODAY?