*Highlights and Accomplishments while teaching  and serving as Production Manager  at San Francisco State University 2003 - 2006.

New Courses Proposed and Taught 

TH A 609                    Theatre Design & Computers

Exploration of the tools, programs, and applications involved with computer assisted design for lighting or scenery for the stage.

TH A 510                    Advanced Technical Methods

A study of the materials, tools, and methods involved in technical theatre & design, as well as the paperwork, process, ethics, and expectations placed upon designers. A discussion theory and practice of budgeting, production management, and advanced stage management.

THA 712                     Portfolio Development

Supervised development of materials for design/technical theatre portfolios, workshops in presentation, interview techniques. Introduction to entertainment industry business practices.           

Committee Work


Department Committees:            Production Committee (elected Chair)

Purpose:  to discuss strategy and long-range planning of
Department productions, methods for production,       
and how production interacts with curriculum.

                       
College-Wide Committees:           

Computer Advisory Committee

Purpose:  formed to consider the Student Laptop Initiative,
requiring students in Creative Arts to have a laptop;
develop curriculums to support the Initiative

Leave-With-Pay Committee

Purpose:  Evaluate Faculty applicants for sabbaticals

Mini-Grant Committee

Purpose:   Evaluate Faculty applications for grants funded
by the University

Other Highlights

Curriculum

 
Reworked the curriculum of the existing THA 205 (Introduction to Technical Theatre & Design) to better educate students on tools and materials in order to prepare them for their labs and crews.


Taught overload schedule in five of six semesters.  (nine hours is considered normal load
of teaching, with production work accounting for three additional hours)

Production

 
Set firm deadlines for productions to be named at least nine months in advance, which allows the Design Faculty time to choose designers, begin the design process, and not rush the process, giving students a more professional approach to design

 
Initiated new evaluation forms and criteria for Crew Heads and Crew Members of mainstage productions to allow for better feedback, accountability, grading, and evaluation.

 
Established policy for classroom set-up after rehearsals and performances to make sure spaces are restored to classroom setting each night to avoid conflict with other faculty.

 
Set regular production meeting times, agendas, and format.  As a result of my system the designers, stage managers and crew heads come to meetings better prepared, making the production meetings more productive and efficient.

 
Authored a Production Position Handbook to inform Crew Heads of specific duties and responsibilities for our mainstage productions.

 
Compiled a resource book for crew heads of previous crew head worklists, checklists, correspondences, and procedures.  This resource book allows crew heads to share information about our design process and eliminates oversights and miscommunications.


Created a Stage Managers Office with two computers and a printer for Stage Managers to work on rehearsal/performance reports before and after rehearsals while still on campus.  This has boosted our communication process with casts and crews.


Converted drawings of our three main theatre spaces into AutoCad drawings, to better serve mainstage designers and design class projects

 
Created a Stage Manager Contract to be sure Stage Managers know exactly what their duties and responsibilities are.

 
Wrote a procedures and etiquette document for actors to follow.

 
Began an Actor Deputy Program (much like an AEA Deputy) to give the actors a point person to report issues, safety concerns, and other grievances to stage managers and Production Manager.

 
Collaborated with other Faculty to booster our publicity campaigns and methods.

 
Department-Wide

 
New Theatre Arts-Only Computer Lab:  With funds secured by the Department Chair and in collaboration with other Design Faculty, researched, consulted, and proposed purchases for a new Theatre Arts-only Computer Lab.  The Lab has five computers, large-format plotter, and scanner.  All machines have software geared towards design majors.   Wrote the rules, policies, and regulations for Lab use

 
Conducted search for a Technical Director when our faculty Technical Director went on unexpected medical leave.  Solicited resumes, screened applicants conducted phone interviews, and finally in Committee participated in the hiring.

 
Sponsored Theatre Outreach Project (T.O.P.).  This student organization comprised of Theatre Arts Majors is an outreach program to build awareness about our program and it’s offerings by hosting high school tours, free theatre nights, and talkbacks with students.

 
Serve as an Academic Advisor to students.

 
Created a job bank for students looking for work in technical theatre.  This list of jobs is updated often helping students make contact with professional companies.

 
Served as Production Manager and Stage Manager for an original work, written by a Theatre Arts Faculty member, which toured in Chile in January 2005.  The work was based on the life and work of Pablo Neruda and was very well received in his home nation of Chile.Off-Campus

 
Hired as a Teaching Artist at the San Francisco School for the Arts, where I teach
technical theatre and serve as Stage Manager for productions.

 
Serve on the Technical Theatre Advisory Committee of the Marin County School District, San Rafael, CA.  This Committee meets monthly to discuss issues regarding curriculum in high school drama programs and advises the school what technology to consider for purchase to upgrade facilities and improve the learning environment.

Freelance Design Work:  Please see Design areas of MBMillerDesign.com