Technical Theatre

Course Description

This is an introductory course for students with little or no technical theatre arts experience. This course focuses on essential technical theatre vocabulary and an understanding of roles and responsibilities of a theatre production team through hands-on projects. Students will study dramatic text in terms of the principles of design and production basics of scenery, costuming, painting, make-up, lighting tools, and safety issues.
COURSE FORMAT
This course is designed for hands-on projects where the students will be learning by doing. The students will be using equipment that can be dangerous if not properly handled. Safety is the first priority in everything we do in class, and while working on productions. The first couple of weeks will be dedicated to understanding the tools and safety for all the equipment that will be used throughout the year. ​
CLASS OBJECTIVES
An introductory course exposing students to the visual elements (scenic, costumes, lighting, sound, etc.) in a production as approached by the designer, director, and actor. Students will broaden their abilities and understanding including, but not limited to the following areas:
  1. Production Management
  2. Theatre Architecture and Equipment
  3. The Design Process, Style Composition, Design and Color
  4. ​Scenic Design 
  5. Tools and Material, the Shop
  6. First Aid and Safety
  7. Scenic Productions
  8. Scenic Painting Techniques
  9. Stage Lighting Design and Electricity
  10. Costume Design
  11. Sound Design
  12. Stage Makeup Design
  13. Property Design and Construction

Student Learning Outcomes

Technical theatre is a course designed for the student interested in the non-performance side of theatre. The class will focus both on design and construction in several areas. Units include set design, set construction and painting, lighting design, hang and focus, costume design and construction, stage makeup, and sound design. Some after school and evening work is required. As part of the class you will be a part of the Technical Crew for the MainStage Productions. This course will allow each student to choose an area of specialization and work on a higher level. 
  • identify and understand basic technical terminology 
  • become an expert in one area of technical theatre
  • become creative in the design process
  • develop the ability to analyze a piece of literature from a technical viewpoint
  • recognize technical theatre as an art form
  • communicate through artistic design and design execution
  • collaborate with others in problem-solving situations
  • critique theatre and fine arts constructively
  • take responsibility towards theatre and its components
  • become a lifelong consumer of the arts.

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Course readings will be provided. Students will be required to maintain a notebook throughout the course of this semester. The purpose of this notebook is to build a repertoire of the student’s academic knowledge, performance experience, and help build a portfolio.  
Technical theatre encompasses all that goes into making a staged production. The areas of technical theatre are scenery, lighting, properties, costuming, and sound. All of these areas work together in a production to establish the place, time period, and mood of the production; however, if one of the areas is incomplete or of a lesser quality than the rest the entire production can suffer. Each area relies on the others for support so it is important that everyone works together and communicates as a team.
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Gilbert High School students learn teamwork and professionalism in technical theatre while enjoying a special camaraderie. Students explore the limitless creative potential of technical theatre, guided by an adult Technical Supervisor as they design and implement lights, sound, costumes, scenery, props and handle all facets of stage management. Students also work in front of the house and box office positions.