Technical Theatre Practicum (Boltz)

Introduction

Welcome to the exciting world of technical theatre. Studying this topic can lead to many different careers in several different sectors of the economy. The general skills needed for any of the careers or sectors have many things in common. Workers need to be dead-line oriented, as most productions have firm timelines that cannot be altered. Critical thinking and analysis are much needed skills. Almost every project in the field is unique and technicians and designers alike must discover the best way of reaching a project’s goal. Creative problem solving is trait successful practitioners have in common. With every project being unique, there are no guaranteed solutions to the problems that are presented. Technicians draw on their vast experience of what worked in the past that can be adapted to be a solution to the current problems. Clear communication and collaboration round out the necessary skills. No technical theatre project is ever handled by one person on their own. Collaboration with many people is the norm, and successful collaboration requires clear written and verbal communication skills.

Industry Sectors

Most people immediately associate Technical Theatre with theatre, but the training is used in other sectors as well. Opera, and Ballet companies run in much the same way (at least behind the scenes) as traditional theatre companies and hire similarly skilled personnel. Film and Television production companies also use people with the same skills. In fact, most collegiate film and television programs do not teach anything about the construction of scenery, props and costumes, instead leaving that education to their respective theatre departments. Themed entertainment, including theme parks and themed experiences, typically hire technicians from the world of technical theatre. Some of these skills also directly translate to hotel and convention centers and other special event companies. Lastly, many of the people who provide services for technical theatre, such as companies that develop, manufacture, repair, and sell technology for these industries hire employees with training in technical theatre.

Jobs

There are many jobs and job titles that fall under the category of technical theatre. Here are a list of some of them and what they do.

• Designer: Designs various elements for a production, such as Scenery, Costumes, Lighting, Sound, and Projections. They analyze a script, collaborate with a director and find the best way to express the elements of the production. Most have at least a Bachelor’s degree, and many have a Master’s degree.
• Assistant Designers: Assistant designers may be a general assistant to a designer finalizing designs or keeping them up-todate as production needs change. They may also have specialized skills that the designer does not have. Assistant designers may be attached to a specific designer, or to a specific venue. Some people see an assistant position as a training ground to becoming a designer, while others make a career out of being an assistant.