SW
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Department of Drama
Office location and address
115A Drama Bldg.
109 Culbreth Rd
Charlottesville,
Virginia
22903
Biography
Steven came to the U. Va. Drama Department after 6 years in Las Vegas. There he worked for the internationally-renowned entertainment company Cirque du Soleil as assistant technical director for “O” at The Bellagio Hotel and Casino, Project Supervisor for Cirque du Soleil’s Resident Shows Division, and Assistant Head of Props for KA at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Additional duties included media interviews on behalf of Cirque du Soleil and appearances on television programs such as “Engineering Marvels of Las Vegas” on the Travel Channel. Steven was also a lead technician for Cirque du Soleil’s performance at the 2002 Academy Awards. Past circus and theatre credits include several years with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey as the Blue Unit operations manager; assistant technical director, Utah Shakespeare Festival; technical director, Texas Shakespeare Festival; and carpenter, Alley Theater and Pacific Coast Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA). Steven graduated from the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware with an MFA in Theater Production. He is a trained emergency medical technician (EMT), rescue scuba diver and is proficient in woodworking and metalworking, as well as theatre rigging and automation.
Publications
Courses
Credits: 3
Art of the Creature fosters creative and critical thinking by requiring students to imagine, research, and build environments and creatures. Students will study the history and methods of creating environments and creatures in theatre, film, and other performance art forms; research and develop their own individual and group creations; and reflect orally and in writing on their work.
Credits: 1–4
New course in the subject of drama.
Credits: 3
Studies the technology and practices used in the theatre and entertainment industry. Covers set construction techniques, materials, and hardware. Students will learn the skills and techniques required for using hand and power tools. Terminology learned in Drama 2210 will be practiced in the co-requisite course Drama 2230 - Production Studio.
Credits: 1
Application of scenery technology in producing theatrical productions while maintaining and organized safe work environment. Co-requisite DRAM 2210
Credits: 1
Application of scenic painting in laboratory production projects. Prerequisites: Dram 2010 and 2020.
Credits: 3
Fundamental techniques of scenic painting. A studio class during which students learn to paint faux finishes of marble, wood grain, brick and other common finishes for theatrical application. DRAM 2232 Production Lab: Scene Painting required.
Credits: 1–3
A directed study in theatre design technology offered to upper-level students. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Credits: 1–3
Independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s).
Credits: 1–4
New course in the subject of drama.
Credits: 2–6
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of scenic elements. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 2–6
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of scenic elements. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 3
Furthers technical construction skills through the study of traditional and contemporary theories of staging, pragmatic application of scenic construction systems; including wood, fabric, plastics and steel. Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 3–9
A faculty-guided study in an area of technical theatre not covered in the established curriculum. Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.
Credits: 2–6
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of scenic design. Prerequisite: graduating standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 2–6
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of scenic design. Prerequisite: graduating standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 3
Intensive study in a specific topic offered to graduate students.
Credits: 3
The Metal Fabrication course explores different techniques in design and fabrication using metal as a medium. This will be a design/fabrication course and students will be expected to learn safe applications of various metal working tools and become proficent in their use of the tools in our shop environment.
Credits: 2–6
Participation in the production program, crediting work in the preparation and performance of scenic elements. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 3
Studies traditional and contemporary entertainment rigging systems; investigates current practices of rigging, their equipment, and the materials involved. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.
Credits: 3–9
A faculty-guided study in an area of technical theatre not covered in the established curriculum. Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.
Credits: 1–12
Graduate-level independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s). Requisite: Instructor permission
Credits: 3
Intensive study in a specific topic offered to graduate students.
Credits: 2–6
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of scenic elements. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 2–6
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of scenic elements. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.
Credits: 1–3
A faculty-guided study in an area of technical theatre not covered in the established curriculum. Repeatable up to 9 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.
Credits: 1–12
Graduate-level independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s). Requisite: Instructor permission.