As a member of the Sound and Lighting Crew, you are expected to submit a written plan to the Director of Annie, Jr. explaining what you think should be done to solve each of the following three problems being faced in the show's production.  In your plan, you should include a description of your plan for solving each of the problems, as well as an explanation of how the scientific concepts of light and sound are involved in your solutions. 

Problem #1- In the first scene in which Miss Hannigan appears, she is supposed to be wearing a BLACK dress.  The only available dress that will fit the student playing this role is RED.  There is no money in the budget to purchase another dress.  What can be done to the lighting on the stage to make the RED dress APPEAR BLACK?

Problem #2- There are certain scenes in the play that require the stage to be lit by white light only. ALL of the white light bulbs in the stage lights have blown out.  The white light bulbs are very expensive and there is no money in the budget to purchase new bulbs. The only available replacement light bulbs are red, yellow, blue, purple, green, and orange. Is there some way to make white light using the available bulbs?

Problem #3- The schools amplification system for the stage microphones suddenly stopped working.  A new amplification system would cost $5000 dollars.  Hiring a professional to come in and repair the system would cost $2000.  The budget cannot pay for either of these options.  Is there something you can do to design a "make-shift" amplification system so that the audience will be able to hear the actors' performing their lines on opening night?

What solutions would you recommend to the cast and crew that will be both time and cost efficient in solving these problems?  Your written plan should not only include solutions to the problems, but also should describe HOW and WHY your solution will work.  Through your written plan, it is your job to convince the director, cast, and crew that your solutions are worth their time and energy investment. REMEMBER:  WITHOUT YOUR HELP, THE SHOW MAY NOT GO ON!

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

In order to accomplish the task above, you will need to follow the steps listed below:

Step 1: You will form a group of three students. You will need to assign each of the roles below within your group of three students. 
TASK ROLES
Person 1-Lighting Specialist

Step 2: Each person in your group will need to do research, in order to gather information necessary for solving the stage lighting and sound problems. A list of Resources for this research is available for you to use to answer your "Background Questions". 

Step 3: The "Background Questions" page should be used to gather information needed to solve your particular problem.  You must research at least three different Internet sites and note the sources (website URLs) of your search. 

Step 4: After researching your roles and individually completing your "Background Questions," come together with your other group members to discuss your findings.  Decide how the information you collected can help you come up with solutions to the problems faced by the crew of Annie, Jr.  Discuss within your group the solutions that you will propose for each of these problems. 

Step 5: With your fellow group members, use the "Plan Outlines" to write your plan for the Director of Annie, Jr. explaining the solutions that you recommend to the cast and crew.  Remember, these solutions should be both time and cost efficient.  Be sure that your written plan describes HOW and WHY your solution will work.  Write your plan in a persuasive tone, in order to convince the Director that your plan will work and will be worth the time and energy investment.

Click here for Printable Plan Outlines

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Your Sound and Lighting Crew's final written plan to the Director of Annie, Jr. will be assessed using a Grading Rubric. All three sections of your crew's plan will be graded together.   

 Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Congratulations!  You've "saved the play!"  Now that you have successfully solved each of the three problems faced by the cast and crew of Annie, Jr., THE SHOW WILL GO ON!  The director, cast and crew, and the entire Julius West Community are extremely grateful to you for the time and effort you put into making sure the problems would be amended before "show-time."  They have even decided to devote an entire page in the play program to the Sound and Lighting Crew to show their gratitude.  Congratulations, again, on a job well done!  Now that your mission is complete, there are a few more things to think about:  

What supplies would you need to carry out the plan you suggested?  
How much would the cost actually be to carry out your plan?
How long will it take to complete your plan, from beginning to end? 
Do you know someone who would be able to carry out each of the steps in your plan?

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Images from: Microsoft FrontPage Clip Art Gallery
Prentice Hall's Sound and Light, 2000 edition.

Special thanks to Michelle Lipson and Stacy Dimmick for their guidance in the creation of this webquest. 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page