2/17: Technical Theater Notes

Intro to Technical Theater
The Basics
•Theater depends on people working TOGETHER.
•The people who work behind the scenes are called “technicians.”

Technicians
•Create the environment & effects.
•Usually OUTNUMBER the performers!
•Create the environment & effects.
•Usually OUTNUMBER the performers!
•Work in several areas of focus…

1.SET
2.PROPS
3. LIGHTS
4. SOUND
5. COSTUMES
6. MAKEUP

Technicians may also include the RUN CREW and stage managers.

SET DESIGN
•Set designers come up with the initial concept of a set.
•SET CREW will BUILD the set.

PROPS
•Properties crew is in charge of gathering & organizing PROPS.
•Props may have to be RENTED,
BORROWED,
BOUGHT,
or BUILT.

LIGHTS
•LIGHTING can establish the mood, time, and place of a play.
•Lighting designers decide:
WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN.
•WHAT type of lights to use.
•WHERE to focus them.
•WHEN to turn them on.

SOUND
•Sound designer decides on music & sound effects.
SOUND also includes any amplification!



COSTUMES
•Costume designers create or choose the clothing that the actors will wear.
•Costumes may be RENTED, BORROWED, BOUGHT or BUILT/SEWN.

MAKEUP
•Makeup refers to wigs, hairstyles, and false features AS WELL AS cosmetics.
•Actors typically do their own makeup in live theater.
•When there’s something SPECIAL, though, they need help!