TECHNICAL THEATRE  

Theatre is a collaborative art form so it is important to educate theatre students in all of its aspects.  The study of the technical elements of theatre is an integral part of any theatre curriculum.  Educating students in design and stagecraft strengthens theatre programs and creates a new pool of potential technical theatre artists to work on classroom or school productions.  In many schools, technical theatre is often thought of as secondary to acting, but any true theatre artist needs to know about and appreciate the work of everything that happens behind the scenes.

Skills and Understandings

Students will be able to

• Identify the major design elements of theatre
• Explain how the design elements work together in a production
• Analyze plays for technical requirements
• Demonstrate appropriate and safe conduct in the theatre and backstage areas
• Create functional sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound, makeup
• Operate technical equipment (sound board, light board, patch panel, fly system, etc.)
• Create a set design with a ground plan and sketches
• Create a costume design with sketches and fabric swatches
• Create a light design with a light plot and gel/gobo choices
• Create a sound design with a cd and cue sheet
• Create a makeup design with face chart
• Write a props list and draw sample props table
• Incorporate a directorial concept into designs

      

Copyright © 2002 by Arizona State University and the Arizona Board of Regents.