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Tech Articles for Drama Teachers

Browse 28 tech articles

10 Tasks for Student Technicians During Pre-Show
Directing

10 Tasks for Student Technicians During Pre-Show

Before the performers arrive at the performance space, the student technicians are already there and hard at work. For the purposes of this article, “student technicians” refers to the entire...
How to Run a Flawless Tech Week
Technical Theatre

How to Run a Flawless Tech Week

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...
The Tech Toolbox Toolkit
New Drama Teachers

The Tech Toolbox Toolkit

Starting a new tech program or taking over an existing one comes with a long checklist of materials. Beyond the basics like lumber, screws, and nails, every tech class needs essential tools—saws,...
Your Classroom Stage Makeup Toolkit
Teaching Drama

Your Classroom Stage Makeup Toolkit

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,...
Sets on a Budget: One Signature Piece
Technical Theatre

Sets on a Budget: One Signature Piece

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...
Full Class Project: Complete Show Design
Classroom Exercise

Full Class Project: Complete Show Design

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...
Performing Outdoors Part 2: Safety Considerations
Teaching Drama

Performing Outdoors Part 2: Safety Considerations

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 Part 1: Technical Considerations
Teaching Drama

Performing Outdoors Part 1: Technical Considerations

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...
Exercise: The Tech Effect
Classroom Exercise

Exercise: The Tech Effect

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...
Tech Exercises for the Non-Technical Teacher
Classroom Exercise

Tech Exercises for the Non-Technical Teacher

The phrase “technical theatre” can be intimidating for some drama teachers. They may feel that they don’t have adequate experience to teach technical theatre, or that they just aren’t “tech-y”...
Tips for Success When Tech Isn’t Your Specialty
Teaching Drama

Tips for Success When Tech Isn’t Your Specialty

Technical theatre is not my specialty. I admire the creative types who create artful mood lighting, whip together fabulous costumes, make props with little more than glue and glitter, and build...
Round-Up: Your Costume & Prop Challenges!
Teaching Drama

Round-Up: Your Costume & Prop Challenges!

We reached out to you, our amazing community, through social media to ask, What are your biggest props/costume challenges for your productions or upcoming show?.Turns out, there are lots of...
Safety First: Creating a Safe Rehearsal Space
Technical Theatre

Safety First: Creating a Safe Rehearsal Space

In the drama classroom and rehearsal space, drama teachers work with students to express themselves in a variety of ways. We encourage our students to push their boundaries, to explore new...
Creating and Maintaining an Organized Props Area
Production

Creating and Maintaining an Organized Props Area

The backstage area can be chaotic enough without having to worry about all the props for the show. Help to reduce backstage stress by using these seven tips to help keep your props area neat, tidy,...
Tips for First-Time Lighting Designers
Technical Theatre

Tips for First-Time Lighting Designers

Full disclosure – lighting design is NOT my forte. I am in awe of those wonderful people with skills in creating atmosphere with just the right shade of lighting gel, an artfully angled instrument,...
Best Practices for Training Your Technicians
Technical Theatre

Best Practices for Training Your Technicians

Lights, sound, special effects – these are the cherries on top of the sundae of your already amazing production. And for each fabulous effect that you add to your show, you’ll need an equally...
Pros and Cons of Live Bands versus Backing Tracks
Production

Pros and Cons of Live Bands versus Backing Tracks

When working on a musical with your students, you will need to decide whether you will use a live band or backing (karaoke) tracks for the music. Whether you use a live band or backing tracks,...