Technical theatre 2

Technical Theatre Syllabus

PRODUCING TECH FOR PERFORMANCES

• TH:Cr3.1.III. c. Apply a high level of technical proficiencies to the rehearsal process to support the story and emotional impact of a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
• TH:Pr5.1.III.b. Explain and justify the selection of technical elements used to build a design that communicates the concept of a drama/theatre production.​​

THEATRICAL CONSTRUCTION & PROPS, LIGHTING & SOUND
COSTUMES & HAIR/MAKEUP​, MARKETING & BUSINESS

• TH:Cr1.1.II. b. Understand and apply technology to design solutions for a drama/theatre work.
• TH:Pr5.1.I. b. Use researched technical elements to increase the impact of design for a drama/theatre production. ​

CREW, HOUSE & STAGE MANAGEMENT

• ​TH:Cr2-II. b. Cooperate as a creative team to make interpretive choices for a drama/theatre work.​

CRITIQUING

• TH.Re7.1.I.a - Respond to what is seen, felt, and heard in a drama/theatre work to develop criteria for artistic choices of a drama/theatre work.​​

VOCABULARY

• TH:Pr5.1.II. b. Apply technical elements and research to create a design that communicates the concept of a drama/theatre production.​

Quiz #1

• Grid.     The support structure close to the top of the fly tower on which the pulleys of the flying system are supported.
• Ground Plan.     A scaled (overhead) view of the theatre stage area or of a set design, to enable all technical departments to ensure that everything will fit correctly into the space available.
• Handheld.     This is a shortened term for a wireless microphone that a performer holds or that goes on a mic stand.
• Headset.     The theatre’s communication system that the crew use. This term also usually includes the beltpack and cables that carry the power. Some are wireless and others have to be plugged into the wall.
• House Lights.     The instruments used to light the area where the audience sit during a show which are commonly faded out when the performance starts.
• House Manager.     The person responsible for the Front of House staff and organization for a performance.
• IATSE.     The union for stagehands working in theatre, motion picture and television production, trades shows and exhibitions, television broadcasting, and concerts as well as the equipment and construction shops that support all these areas of entertainment industry.
• Instrument.     General term for unit of lighting equipment including spotlight, flood etc.
• Intelligent Light.     Remotely controllable lighting instruments capable of a massive variety of effects (color and sometimes movement) which can be operated live or pre-programmed by through a light board  These instruments require a power supply and a DMX data cable.
• Intermission.     A break between acts of a play.

 
Quiz #2

• Iris.     Adjustable aperture which, when placed in the gate of an instrument lantern, varies the size of a beam of light.
• Key Light.     The strongest source of light usually aimed at an acting area.
• Light Plot.     A diagram that shows the location of all lighting instruments and which area or object each instrument illuminates.
• Lamp.     A light bulb is used in a theatrical instrument.
• Legs.     Vertical curtain set as masking piece at the side of an end-on acting area. Usually set up in pairs across the stage and used in conjunction with borders to frame the audiences view.
• Leko.     Another name used for ellipsoidal instruments.
• Lens.     Optical glass with one or both sides curved, the purpose of which is to direct light by concentrating or dispersing light beams.
• Make-up.     Products applied to the face or body of an actor to change or enhance their appearance.
• Masking.     Material or scenery which defines the performance area and conceals the technical areas.
• Matinee.     A performance held in the daytime; and often the afternoon.

Quiz #3

• Mic.     Short for microphone. These include vocal,  instrument mic, condenser, floor, and wireless Each has a different pickup pattern.
• Monitor.     These are used onstage or in the orchestra pit for musicians to be able to hear the music or the singers. They are also backstage and in dressing rooms. Some include video of the performance space. 
• Periaktoi.     Greek term for three-sided flats mounted on a rotating base.
• Personal Props.     Items handled by an actor in a show that are kept with their costume.
• Preshow.     The period before the performance begins, when the audience may be in the front-of-house areas, or even in the auditorium.
• Portal.     A decorative frame of the stage that can be made by combining borders/teasers and legs/tormentors.
• Props.     Furnishings, set dressings, and all items large and small which cannot be classified as scenery, electrics or wardrobe. 
• Paper Tech.     A session without the set or actors when the technical and design team talk through
• the show ensuring everything's going to work as planned. 
• Patch. The process of connecting circuits, dimmers, and channels together in a manner that makes their operation logical and convenient.        
• Pyrotechnics.     Chemical explosive or flammable firework effects with a manual detonation. Usually electrically fired with special designed fail-safe equipment.

Quiz #4

• Raked Stage.     A sloping stage which is raised at the back end. This is likely where the terms upstage and downstage originated.
• Rep Plot.     A standard lighting set up that is designed to deal with a variety of events (speakers, concerts, performances).
• Rigging.     General term for the systems and equipment that suspend lighting and scenic equipment above the stage or performance space. 
• Run.     A sequence of performances of the same production on different dates.
• Run-through.     A rehearsal of the whole show or a section of it.
• Safety Cable.     An important accessory for a lighting instrument aimed at preventing it from falling.
• Scoops.     A large, simple lighting fixture with a dome-like reflector, large high-wattage lamp and no lens.
• Scrim.     A piece of fabric used for creating the illusion of a solid wall or backdrop that becomes semi-transparent when lit from behind.
• Set.     The complete stage setting for a scene or act.
• Shutters.     Metal blades that are part of a lighting instrument which can be used to shape the edge of the beam. 

Quiz #5

• Side Light.     Mainly used to reveal form of the body, and is used to enhance the performer, especially dancers. Typically hung in the wings.
• Special.     An instrument used for a very specific purpose, rather than as part of a system such as to illuminate or wash an area of the stage. It is typically used alone, or at a higher level than the other instruments.
• Spike.     To place a small piece of tape on the stage deck to indicate where the item should be placed. 
• Stage Pin Connector.     A standard plug used to connect cables for conventional theatrical lighting instruments.
• Strike.     Taking down, dismantling disposing, and/or storage of the set and theatrical equipment.
• Striplights.     A multi-circuited stage instrument, consisting of a row of lamps, that allows a variety of colors to be used at the same time. 
• Teaser.     A drapery or flat piece across the top of the proscenium arch that mask electrics or drops.
• Technical Director.     Coordinates all technical aspects of the production including the crew and equipment.   Liaison to the designers and adapts the design to fit the venue.
• ​Tech Rehearsal.     The first run in a venue with lighting, scenery and sound. 
• Top Hat.     A theatrical instrument to reduce the spill of the light or  to shield the audience's eyes from the direct source of the light. 

​Quiz #6

• Tormentor.     A fixed curtain or flat on each side of a theater stage that prevents the audience from seeing into the wings.
• Turnaround.     The changeover between one show and the next.
• Trap.     An opening through the stage floor.
• Traveler.     A stage curtain upstage of the act curtain that opens to the right and left rather than moving up and down.
• Two-fer.     A cabling device used in theatrical stage lighting that allows two stage lighting instruments to be connected to one circuit. 
• USITT.     An organization which aims to advance the skills and knowledge of theatre, entertainment and performing arts professionals involved in the areas of design, production and technology, and to generally promote their interests.
• Visual Cue.     The command taken directly from the action in a show, rather than from the stage manager, to carry out a particular operation. 
• Wash.     A low-level fill light, usually aimed form the FOH positions.
• Work Lights.     Non-theatrical illumination of a performance space when a show is not in progress.
• XLR Cable.     An audio cable used in theatre that deliver a balanced signal that has less unwanted noise from outside electrical interference.

Block Day Tech Lunch