Technical Theatre

Drama teachers need to plan for unlimited creativity. Unfortunately, drama teachers don’t have unlimited space… especially when it comes to props! Here is a list of essential props every drama...

Every director knows tech week can be a triumph or a tragedy. When tech goes right, a production leaps off the stage and is ready for an audience. When tech goes wrong… well, let’s just say that...

A prop, or theatrical property, is any object used or carried onstage by an actor that isn’t a part of the set or worn. Props can be made, built, bought, or borrowed, and the golden rule of props...

If you’re working on a prop-heavy show, you’ll want to assemble a great team and get them to work right away acquiring all the items on the list, because it can be challenging and time-consuming to...

If you have students who are quick on their feet, great at math, and have a cheerful disposition, they might be excellent concession volunteers. Concession volunteers are responsible for selling...

Ushers are a cheerful, welcoming presence at any theatrical performance. Their job is to check tickets, answer patron questions, and keep the theatre clean and tidy. Volunteering as an usher for a...

Whether your box office is a dedicated space with a sleek point of sale system, or a simple yet effective cash box at a folding table, you’ll need someone trustworthy and responsible to sell...

It’s always exciting to have action-packed sequences in your show, and chase scenes are both great fun and challenging to stage. Whether a character is being chased by a villain, chasing after a...

The visual of blood onstage creates an immediate visceral reaction for audience members — it evokes feelings of fear, pain, injury, life and death. But using fake blood onstage can be challenging,...

Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, and The Wizard of Oz are just some of the wonderful stories featuring characters that can fly. Many great plays feature flying sequences, but how do we stage those...

Stage makeup isn't just an optional extra in the drama classroom; it's a game-changer. Whether you're taking your first steps into the world of theatre tech or you're already a seasoned pro,...

There’s nothing like a big, beautiful set to really create the mood and tone of a theatrical piece. With a little creativity, big and beautiful can also mean striking and singular. Sometimes the...

If you have been blessed with a huge costume inventory, ample storage space, and a head of wardrobe to keep tabs on everything, feel free to skip this article. For the rest of us, keeping our...

The following exercise is a large-scale culminating project for your entire class. Students will form small groups and work together to create design concepts for a play in six areas of technical...

In our previous post (Performing Outdoors Part 1: Technical Considerations), we discussed technical concerns that may arise when selecting a venue to perform outdoors. Today we’re tackling safety...

Performing outdoors can be a lot of fun — Shakespeare in the park, anyone? But as with any theatrical undertaking, there are some things to consider before getting started with rehearsals. The...

The purpose of this group exercise is to see how technical effects can change the mood and atmosphere of a performed scene. Students will have the opportunity to perform and observe others, while...

The exercises listed below can be adapted to distance and online learning opportunities. Students work individually (rather than with partners or in groups). Group work and discussions can be...