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!

2/2: Music & Picture

Watch a video clip with the sound off.  As you watch, write a list of emotions you see portrayed.  What type of music do you think is being used?  What type of music would you use if you were the music director?  Why?

1/31 and 2/1

In notes/journal:

What song do you listen to when you feel sad?  Excited?  Worried?  Angry? 
Why?


Sound Design Project/Assignment:

In your notes or on a separate sheet of paper, make a list of 5 songs that you like and that have some deeper meaning beyond the surface (the lyrics are there to make you FEEL something).  Circle ONE song that you want to work with.  Make sure that this song has some meaning to you.
Write out the lyrics, or find them on the internet.  (Make sure to use the RADIO EDIT version!)
Underline any important stuff in the lyrics -- important phrases, words, etc.
Write down the THEME of the song.
Make a list of CHARACTERS that exist within the song.
Write a paragraph that sums up what the song is about to you.