Course Syllabus

THEA 2510 Scene Painting

Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Theater Arts
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 2; Lab: 1
Repeatable: Yes.

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Semester Approved: Spring 2026
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
End Semester: Fall 2031

Optimum Class Size: 6
Maximum Class Size: 12

Course Description

Scene Painting introduces students to the tools, vocabulary, and techniques used to create painted surfaces for the stage, including faux finishes, color mixing, washes, glazes, and trompe l’oeil. Students gain hands-on experience through studio projects and supervised lab hours connected to theatrical productions. This course is repeatable for credit. A course fee is required.

Justification

Scene Painting is an essential component of theatre training, providing students with practical skills that directly support stage productions and design curricula. Similar courses are offered at other USHE institutions, such as the University of Utah and Utah State University, where scenic art is recognized as a foundational discipline within theatre programs. Offering this course at Snow College ensures that students receive comparable professional preparation, equipping them with the technical artistry and applied experience necessary to participate meaningfully in departmental productions and to advance in theatre-related studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Remember & Understand: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify and accurately label the tools, materials, and vocabulary of scenic painting, and classify various scenic finishes and describe their functions within theatrical production.
Apply: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic and advanced faux painting techniques (e.g., wood grain, marble, stone, fabric, metal), and utilize color theory to mix and apply pigments that achieve desired effects in painter’s elevations.
Analyze: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to distinguish between different textures and analyze their visual and tactile properties to replicate them effectively and diagram the layered processes required to achieve specific scenic effects.
Evaluate: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to critique and assess peers’ projects by providing constructive feedback that emphasizes both technical execution and artistic impact and judge the effectiveness of scenic painting techniques in the context of live production.
Create: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to design and construct original, fully realized scenic samples that synthesize learned techniques into cohesive works and demonstrate individual exploration and creative problem-solving.

Course Content

This course will include lectures, demonstrations, and studio work, This course introduces students to the tools, vocabulary, and techniques of scenic painting for the stage. Students will engage with foundational skills such as color mixing, washes, and glazing while also exploring faux finishes including wood, stone, brick, marble, fabric, and metal. Instruction emphasizes both abstract and representational painting methods, as well as the development of trompe l’oeil techniques used to create the illusion of three-dimensional surfaces. In addition to hands-on studio projects, students will compile a research and texture binder and participate in supervised lab hours connected to departmental productions. The course blends technical training with creative problem-solving, preparing students to replicate and invent scenic finishes that support a wide range of theatrical design needs.

Key Performance Indicators: Course outcomes will be assessed by the following means:Technical Proficiency and Skill Application Demonstrates professional control of tools, color, and surface techniques to produce accurate and polished scenic finishes. 40 to 50%Conceptual Understanding and Artistic Analysis Applies scenic vocabulary and design principles to analyze and explain visual choices within stage environments. 40 to 50%Creative Problem-Solving and Innovation Integrates learned methods into original, inventive scenic works that show adaptability and creative decision-making. 40 to 50%Professional Collaboration and Work Ethic Works responsibly and collaboratively in class and lab settings, showing reliability, professionalism, and safety awareness. 40 to 50%Reflective Practice and Critical Evaluation Engages in self-assessment and critique, using feedback to refine technique and demonstrate artistic and technical growth. 40 to 50%Pedagogy Statement: The pedagogy of THEA 2510: Scene Painting is rooted in experiential, studio-based learning that emphasizes the direct application of artistic and technical principles within a collaborative theatre environment. The course is designed to cultivate both conceptual understanding and practical mastery of scenic art through demonstration, guided practice, critical reflection, and production participation. Instruction follows a scaffolded approach: students begin by learning the vocabulary, tools, and foundational techniques of scenic painting before progressing to complex applications such as faux finishes, glazes, and trompe l’oeil.Faculty-led demonstrations introduce new techniques, which students immediately apply through hands-on exercises that reinforce repetition, accuracy, and control. Individual experimentation is balanced with structured assignments to ensure both skill acquisition and creative exploration. Frequent peer critiques and self-assessments develop students’ evaluative and reflective skills, encouraging them to analyze aesthetic outcomes and articulate informed feedback in a professional manner.Collaboration and mentorship are central to the course design. Students engage in supervised lab work on departmental productions, allowing them to translate classroom learning into real-world theatrical contexts. This applied component reinforces responsibility, craftsmanship, and the ability to work within the aesthetic vision of a larger design team.Overall, the pedagogical framework integrates technical rigor, artistic inquiry, and collaborative learning. Students are guided to think critically, work independently, and contribute meaningfully to the collective art of theatrical storytelling through paint, texture, and surface design. The course cultivates both creative confidence and professional discipline—hallmarks of a strong foundation in theatrical production and design education.Instructional Mediums: Lecture/Lab