TheatreProject

Theatre Project Description MIMIC Course - BUS 2260 Organizers of the Project History of the Project Funding of the Project To MIMIC Web page
	Theatre Project organizers review early designs for the puppet theatre. Norm Engstrom (pointing to the design) works with (l. to r.) Alice Steljes, Jim Gibson, Dorene Perez and Tom Schultz.

MIMIC-Theatre, IVCC's newest Tech Prep project, combines the talents and skills of students and faculty from a number of disciplines to produce a puppet theatre. Principal partners are students in theatre, computer aided design, electronics, accounting and marketing, with some assistance from English, art and graphic design students. Students design and build a portable puppet theatre with a lighting system, design and construct puppets, write a script, audition for parts, develop and oversee a budget, create marketing materials, market the play for public performance, and present a performance.

While much of the work is completed as projects within classes in their fields, students from the diverse disciplines work together throughout two semesters. Design and electronics students work with theatre students to learn about theatre materials, design elements, stage lighting effects and zones. Electronics students consult with design students to ensure the lighting system fits in the theatre and with theatre students to ensure its ease of operation. As materials are being selected, technology students consult with accounting students about expenditures. Marketing students, in conjunction with graphic design and theatre students, plan the promotion of the play -- conducting market research, developing promotional strategies and producing advertising material, tickets and programs. Business students work with the theatre director on budgeting.

This project is an innovative concept that provides hands-on, real-world experiences and allows students from each of the disciplines to experience how people in other disciplines think and operate. Theatre students, for example, learn how design and electronics students approach a project as well as the capabilities and limits of technology; design, electronics, and theatre students learn how business students approach a project as well as the impact of finances.

Students in other fields may be involved in the project depending on the subject matter of the play: nursing students could participate if the play topic is health awareness, science students could participate if the topic is an environmental issue. Education students may participate by helping to adapt the content or performance to different age groups.

The interdisciplinary approach of this project allows the students to practice teamwork skills and to learn through inquiry, discovery and investigation. MIMIC – Theatre, like its MIMIC-Industry counterpart, makes the connection from school to the workplace, and it makes education more than just an imitation of life.

Following the successful introduction of MIMIC-industry, a business course entitled Integrated Business Operations was developed. Taught by the business instructor on the MIMIC team, the course offers students credit as they handle the marketing and accounting for the theatre project and/or as they form and run a service business or a MIMIC-industry company. Aimed at sophomores in business, computer or industrial programs, the course is required in some Associate in Applied Science Programs including most business and computer programs.

Students in the three-semester hour course work in MIMIC-Theatre Project and in MIMIC-industry companies which plan, produce and sell products.

Planning for MIMIC-Theatre began in spring 2002, with the project officially beginning in fall 2002. The idea for an interdisciplinary theatre project emerged in spring 1999 at a Tech Prep team meeting.

The project receives funding through the IVCC Tech Prep team from funding provided by the IVCC/SRAVTE consortium.

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