REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS         

This is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) section. In place of required textbooks, all textbook materials needed for the class will be available online to students free of charge. Students may print copies of the resources but will be responsible for printing costs.

There is an eBook available for student use in this course: 

• Wig Making and Styling: A Complete Guide for Theater and Film

The book is provided free of charge and the link for it can be found on our Blackboard page under the “Course eBook ” tab. Though this is not required text, it will be referenced occasionally throughout the course.

REQUIRED MATERIALS 

Direct links for supplies can be found on our Blackboard page under the “Supplies Kits” tab. These linked items are just suggestions; if you have any of these items already in your collection, please incorporate them into your kit. 

• General Supplies Kit:
  • Rat-tail Comb
  • Teasing/Smoothing Comb
  • Wide-tooth Comb
  • Lifting/Teasing Pick
  • T-pins
  • Quilter’s Pins
  • Small, Sharp Scissors
  • Curved Needles
  • Heavyweight Needles
  • Haircutting Shears
• Fantasy Wig Kit:
  • Synthetic Weft Hair (8-10 bundles)
  • Synthetic Rit Dye (Optional)
• Lace Ventilation Kit:
  • Russian Ventilating Needles 
  • Ventilating Needles Kit
• Non-Traditional Kit:
  • Non-traditional Materials (Various)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to provide students with the fundamental wig styling and construction techniques needed to pursue careers in the theatrical, cinematic, and professional makeup and special FX industries.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To construct a false facial hair piece using appropriate ventilating techniques and materials  
• To modify contemporary synthetic wigs into period-specific hairstyles, using a variety of hand-sewing techniques  
• To research a variety of historical period wigs and silhouettes  
• To assemble an historically-accurate wig silhouette using non-traditional materials   
• To illustrate proper cleaning, handling, and styling of wigs and hair pieces
• To produce a complete fantastical wig utilizing crepe hair or weft, using a variety of hand-sewing and construction techniques 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Techniques and Craftsmanship
  • Students will effectively handle materials, methods, and techniques to prepare and present neat, well-crafted projects using standard practices in the field
• Design Principles 
  • Student will apply a variety of skills, methods, and technologies to create works that demonstrate basic knowledge of formal elements and principles of design
• Performance Skills
  • Students will demonstrate a proficiency in the skills of the performer’s physical and vocal instrument and the application of acting and performance techniques
• Dramatic Analysis & Criticism
  • Students will analyze and critique dramatic works of literature, performance, and design using the Aristotelian elements of drama
• Professionalism in Collaboration 
  • Students will demonstrate professional decorum and discipline in collaboration with members of a dramatic production 

USE OF BLACKBOARD LMS

Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration. If you are new to learning management systems, I encourage you to review the Blackboard Student Support web page available at https://acconline.austincc.edu/webapps

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts

OFFICE HOURS

Office hours will be made available to students throughout the week (Monday - Friday) so that students may contact the instructor regarding current or upcoming assignments/projects, supplies requirements, etc. It is the student’s responsibility to reach out to the instructor if guidance is needed. Office hours can be scheduled in my calendar, which can also be found on our Blackboard page under the “Office Hours ” tab.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

Video tutorials will be provided throughout the semester on a weekly basis. These tutorials are meant to provide detailed instruction for students to review as needed. These tutorials are optional content that students may use as review and/or in case of an absence from class. Students can view upcoming video tutorials in the Course Calendar and all video tutorial links are located on our Blackboard course page.

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS         

This is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) section. In place of required textbooks, all textbook materials needed for the class will be available online to students free of charge. Students may print copies of the resources but will be responsible for printing costs.

There is an eBook available for student use in this course: 

• Wig Making and Styling: A Complete Guide for Theater and Film

The book is provided free of charge and the link for it can be found on our Blackboard page under the “Course eBook ” tab. Though this is not required text, it will be referenced occasionally throughout the course.

REQUIRED MATERIALS 

Direct links for supplies can be found on our Blackboard page under the “Supplies Kits” tab. These linked items are just suggestions; if you have any of these items already in your collection, please incorporate them into your kit. 

• General Supplies Kit:
  • Rat-tail Comb
  • Teasing/Smoothing Comb
  • Wide-tooth Comb
  • Lifting/Teasing Pick
  • T-pins
  • Quilter’s Pins
  • Small, Sharp Scissors
  • Curved Needles
  • Heavyweight Needles
  • Haircutting Shears
• Fantasy Wig Kit:
  • Synthetic Weft Hair (8-10 bundles)
  • Synthetic Rit Dye (Optional)
• Lace Ventilation Kit:
  • Russian Ventilating Needles 
  • Ventilating Needles Kit
• Non-Traditional Kit:
  • Non-traditional Materials (Various)

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

Since the overall purpose of this course is to provide students with specific tools and techniques necessary in order to design, construct, and style wigs and hair pieces for theatrical productions, the majority of instruction will be project-based and highly interactive. We will be covering a wide range of topics, and student participation will be a central factor in the creative process. A significant portion of any professional artist’s responsibilities concerns learning how to manage his/her time effectively by breaking down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks. The expectation in this course is that each student comes to class prepared, with assignments completed, and ready to participate in that day’s activities.

COURSE CALENDAR

Click on the link above to review the detailed semester schedule. You are responsible for keeping up with the impending coursework due for each class.

SHOPS ACCESS 

Both the costume shop and makeup shop will be open to students who need additional access to our facilities to complete coursework during specific days/times of the week. Students must request access to our shop spaces from the costume shop manager. Access to our facilities outside of scheduled class times is a privilege, not an obligation, and will be revoked if any departmental supplies or facilities are damaged or stolen. 

Shop spaces will be available for student use during the following hours:

• Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 10am-2pm

WIGS MORGUE

Students will be required to add to (or create, as the case may be) a digital makeup morgue for this course, which will contain research images for each class project. This morgue will be used regularly in class, so students will be required to keep information current and neatly organized. Students will be required to turn in their Makeup Morgue twice during the semester: (1) At midterm (for review), and (2) final day of class (for grading).

For each project, your Wig Morgue must contain:

• 4-6 COLOR research images pertaining to the subject matter of each project
• Process images of each project 
• Final product images of each project 
• Each project’s images  must be clearly titled and neatly organized in a PowerPoint or PDF format                                                                                                                                                                      

COURSE PROJECTS

Weft Fantasy Wig Project 

Using a pre-made wig base, students will be required to design a fantasy-based wig and construct the wig out of weft hair. Students will use proper hand-sewing techniques in order to attach weft hair correctly into the foundation. Once the wig has been completely sewn, students will then cut and style the wig according to the individual design concept. Students must research specific animated characters in order to create the design. Research images and process images are required. 

Mustache Lace Ventilation Project 

Students will be required to create a ventilated mustache hair piece using German lace and ventilating needles. The goal of this project is practicing knot tying, as well as exploring density, placement, and direction of strands of weft hair within the lace square. Once the hair has been ventilated,  students will cut and style weft hair into an historically accurate mustache style..  Research images  and process images are required.

Wig Transformation Project

Utilizing proper hair styling techniques, tools, and materials,, students will be required to create a period-specific wig from contemporary synthetic wigs or partial hair pieces. The goal of this project is to solve a common dilemma most designers face in low-budget productions: how to make a period wig out of contemporary, nondescript wigs. Students will be assigned  a period-specific wig silhouette from a list provided by the instructor and will recreate this silhouette, while staying true to the desired end result. Research images and process images are required.

Non-Traditional Materials Wig Project

Based on individual research, students will recreate a period-specific wig silhouette, selected from historical periods provided by the instructor, utilizing non-traditional materials. These materials can include (but are not limited to) paper, ribbon, raffia, fabric, etc. The only materials not allowed for this project are synthetic or human hair. Students will be required to construct a base foundation using Fosshape, as well as develop unique techniques to create structure and volume. Research images and process images are required. 

CURTAIN CALL: THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT STUDENT SHOWCASE

The ACC Drama Dept. hosts an end-of-semester showcase that highlights the work done in performance and technical theater classes throughout the semester.   Students will select a project from a list provided by the instructor  to display as part of the student showcase at the end of the semester. Participation in the Student Showcase is a requirement of the course. Images of the selected project will be submitted through the respective project assignment folder in Blackboard. 

THE DIGITAL GREEN ROOM 

The ACC Drama Department hosts our own YouTube Channel: The Digital Green Room.  This channel is designed to promote and exhibit the amazing talents of our students, faculty, and staff, while also engaging with the larger Austin theater community and theater practitioners around the world.  The department will regularly collect submissions throughout the semester, and we’d love to see your ideas.   If you are interested in creating content for the channel, please review the Digital Green Room Submissions guidelines on our Wiki site for details. 

DRAMA DEPARTMENT WIKI SITE 

The Drama department has our own internal wiki site, which provides our faculty, staff, and students with a go-to, one-stop shop to access calendars, safety tutorials, upcoming events, the Digital Green Room, equipment rentals, and more.  Please take a few minutes to peruse our Drama wiki site and make sure to bookmark it for easy access in the future. 

GRADING SYSTEM

(1000 Points Maximum)                                                                                  LETTER GRADE

Weft Fantasy Wig Project                                          200 pts                    A (90% or higher)

Mustache Lace Ventilation Project                         175 pts                    B (80% - 89%)                    

Wig Transformation Project                                      200 pts                    C (70%-79%)    

Non-Traditional Wig Project                                      225 pts                    D (60%-69%)

Wigs Morgue                                                                    100 pts                    F (59% or lower)                                    

Attendance/Professionalism                                     100 pts

Total Possible Points:                                             1000 pts

GRADING RUBRIC FOR PROJECTS

COURSE POLICIES

CLASS ETIQUETTE AND DIGITAL INSTRUCTION

• Students are required to review all course materials available on the class Blackboard page, including all video tutorials, lectures, handouts, quizzes, etc. 
• Students will submit all project images through Blackboard using the respective assignment submission links. Assignment project images emailed to the instructor, unless otherwise requested, will not be accepted. 
• When analyzing peer and individual work, please keep your comments productive and professional.  Please respect one another by giving your full attention to each other during individual presentations.
• Students will maintain a professional relationship with the instructor, both during the allotted class time, as well as through all electronic communications. Failure to adhere to these boundaries will result in a student conference, followed by immediate action on the instructor’s part, should issues persist.
• Email is the preferred method of communication. Students will receive responses to email within a 24-hour period, Monday through Friday. If students send emails over the weekend, they should not expect to receive a response until the following Monday. 

PROFESSIONALISM 

The AAS degree in Technical Theater is a workforce training program, and our expectation is that upon completion of a degree you will be prepared to immediately begin a career in technical theater. 

To that end, here are a list of behavioral expectations that the ACC Drama Department expects that you will meet. Your adherence to these expectations allows us to assign you higher levels of production responsibilities, connect you for internships, and eventually recommend you for jobs. 

1. You should be on time for all meetings, classes, rehearsals, and work calls. In professional theater, showing up late for a work call will get you removed from the call list, and you may lose your chance to work with that company. 
2. You should always bring required supplies to classes, rehearsals and work calls.
3. You should make sure you thoroughly understand your instructor or supervisors’ expectations, and do your best to meet them.

If you don’t understand expectations or instructions it is your responsibility to seek clarification.

1. Communication for the program will be conducted through ACC email. It is our expectation that you monitor and respond to all emails sent from your faculty and staff.
2. You should be courteous, respectful, and positive. 

In this course your professional behavior will be evaluated by your participation in course projects and peer review. 

PORTFOLIO DOCUMENTATION

Documentation of work is an essential component of all ACC Drama degrees and certificate programs. The AAS degree in Technical Theater is a Workforce degree with the goal to train enrolled students with professional entry level technical skills for immediate employment after 2 years of immersive study. 

Documentation of work, which includes course work, process work, and/or production work,  completed during your time in the AAS degree or certificate program is crucial for future internship and job opportunities in our industry. 

For this course you will document work through the Wigs Morgue.

The expectation of this program is that you will keep this documentation collected in a central location (Google Drive is a great option!) so that you can use these images in portfolios, the DRTE 1375 Professional Image Management course, and for future interviews/career prospects.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is April 22nd.  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

INCOMPLETES

An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion.  If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor.  This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester.  A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade. 

1.  Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.
2. The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   
3.  The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  
4. Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  
5. When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

PHYSICAL RISK

This course includes activities, which by their very nature includes elements of physical risk.  While it is expected and encouraged that you will participate and invest wholeheartedly in every exercise, please remain alert, follow directions, and be aware of your environment while working individually or with others in the space.  Please inform me as soon as possible about any physical limitations or injuries that may affect your participation. 

LATE POLICY

Due to the fluid nature of the course, assignments that are not completed by the due date assigned in the course calendar will automatically be marked down by 15% of the total grade points. You will have two class periods to turn in a given assignment; after that, you will receive no credit for late work.  

ATTENDANCE POLICY

• Two unexcused absences without penalty to the final grade.  
• After your second unexcused absence, your final participation grade will decrease by half of a letter grade, and will continue to fall half of a letter grade for every class missed thereafter. 
• An excused absence constitutes any absence that has not been previously approved by the instructor. Emailing/phoning the instructor before class to explain why you will be tardy and/or absent DOES NOT constitute an excused absence and will count against your overall attendance grade. 
• Absences, regardless of excuses, will not extend the due date of any assignment.  Any work due on the day of an absence will still be due that day.  
• Consistent tardies will also result in absences, which will count towards your overall attendance grade. A tardy is defined in this course as being more than ten minutes late to class. Three tardies will result in 1 absence for the class.
•  If you have six or more unexcused absences, you should drop the class, as you will not be allowed to return to finish the course.
• Please arrive for class on time and with the necessary supplies/fabrics/etc. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Techniques and Craftsmanship
  • Students will effectively handle materials, methods, and techniques to prepare and present neat, well-crafted projects using standard practices in the field
• Design Principles 
  • Student will apply a variety of skills, methods, and technologies to create works that demonstrate basic knowledge of formal elements and principles of design
• Performance Skills
  • Students will demonstrate a proficiency in the skills of the performer’s physical and vocal instrument and the application of acting and performance techniques 
• Dramatic Analysis & Criticism
  • Students will analyze and critique dramatic works of literature, performance, and design using the Aristotelian elements of drama
• Professionalism in Collaboration 
  • Students will demonstrate professional decorum and discipline in collaboration with members of a dramatic production