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Saddleback Community College
SOCCCD Collaborative 2008-2009
CTE Grant Funded Externship
Presents
The World of
Technical Theatre
By Ann Bergen
Career Guidance Specialist
San Juan Hills High School
Capistrano-Laguna Beach ROP
Externship Dates:
July 2-3, 2009
The Dual Sides of Theatre
For most people, the concept of theatre arts conjures up images of
theatrical performances with colorful costumes, live orchestras, musical
scores and talented actors often in the style of Broadway
extravaganzas. While much of this description is based on the rich
heritage of the American theatre experience, there exists another
equally creative world that extends beyond the spotlights known as
technical theatre. The culture of technical theatre, and with it a
multitude of careers behind the curtain, offers a rich and artistic
experience for those choosing to stay in the shadows of the stage while
expressing their “art”.
San Juan Hills High School
San Juan Capistrano, CA
In the hills of San Juan Capistrano a gem
of a new regional theatre designed for
student use and learning was opened in
the fall of 2008.
SJHHS Theatre Facts:
•Seating: 600+
•Fly System to accommodate
backdrop & set changes
•Automated Orchestra Pit
•Multilevel Seating
•Box Office & Online Ticket
Sales
•Exceptional Acoustical Sound
•Private Rental Opportunities
Learning the Arts
Exploring Career and Technical Education (CTE) through
South Orange County, California’s newest regional theatre
at San Juan Hills High School was a natural match for the
SOCCCD Grant Funded Externship. Not only are local
colleges and universities (such as Saddleback Community
College) opening academic programs in technical theatre
and design but high school drama departments
themselves have been promoting and teaching career
related skills in theatre technology for some time.
We Begin
The two days of exploration of technical theatre began
with meeting Robert Stewart, currently San Juan Hills
High School Theatre Manager, for an extensive guided
tour of the theatre. Along the way, Mr. Stewart
explained the many careers incorporated throughout
the theatre’s departments as we explored beyond the
stage and behind the curtains.
Mr. Stewart has had over 30 years of technical theatre
experience in the areas of production and stage
management before joining the SJHHS staff as
Theatre Manager.
Behind the Scenes
Mr. Stewart’s theatre experience has ranged from
working at the Orange County Performing Arts Center
as well as participation in theatrical productions
nationally and internationally.
In true technical support style, Mr. Stewart requested
to remain behind the scenes as the externship report
was formulated pointing to career opportunities for
young theatre students to explore instead. It is with
that in mind we begin to explore the many careers
that are available away from the spotlight, in the
areas known as theatre design and technology.
Finding the “Tech” in
Technical Theatre
With the advancement of technology, it is no
wonder live productions have become
increasingly sophisticated. Common to most
live performances are the following key
elements:
• Costumes
• Lighting
• Sound
• Sets and Props
• Stage
Management
Arts, Media &
Entertainment
Technical Theatre is a Career Pathway
within the Arts, Media & Entertainment
Industry Sector
Various Careers within the
Technical Theatre
Pathway
•Costume Designer
•Seamstress
•Dresser
•Sound Board
Operator
•Sound Designer
•Light Board Operator
•Lighting Designer
•Make Up Artist
•Prop Manager
•Set Designer
•Carpenter
•Rigger
•Stage Manager (SM)
•Assistant Stage Manager (ASM)
•Stage Crew
The Control Room Booth
The tour of the San Juan Hills theatre begins in the control
room center obscurely located behind the audience’s seats,
sometimes known in the technical theatre world as “the
booth”. The booth contains the lighting and sound
equipment needed to run a live production.
While in the booth, we were given
a short overview of the sound
board and its many properties.
Contrary to popular belief, a
sound operator does not control a
master on and off switch.
Specifically, sound technicians
learn to manipulate various sound
frequencies in microphones for
voice performance, musical
instrumentation, as well as prerecorded audio.
Sound
Let There
Be Lights
Adjacent to the sound board is the light board run by the
lighting operator. Most theatre lights are hung over the
stage and the audience. These lights are electronically
controlled by the light board. Theatre lights come in
various colors, sizes and intensities. Light combinations
are programmed into cues and run during the show. As
technology has advanced, so has the capacity to program
a multitude of lighting combinations.
In the Spotlight
Separate from the
programmed lights
are the traditional
spotlights. The
SJHHS theatre also
incorporates these
manual lights to
highlight individual
performers. Theatre
students often find
their initial
experience with light
operations is with a
spotlight.
Elements of
Design
Apart from the light operator is the lighting designer, an
artist in their own right. Lighting designers are in
collaboration with the director during the programming
phase of a show influencing mood and timing. It is not
uncommon to have more than 200 light cues
preprogrammed for one show. As an instructional
opportunity for the externship, our participating theatre
student was given the assignment of designing and
programming the lights for a musical of their choice.
Beyond the Curtains
Outside the booth and high above the stage, other
specialized effects take place. At the San Juan Hills
theatre, there is a “fly system” which accounts for the
building being the tallest on campus. Within the fly tower is
the ability to house several scenery backdrops or equipment
which can be “flown” into the flies for quick scene changes.
On the Fly
The fly system is operated through a complex looking
system of ropes and pulleys that may be operated by
the “flyman”, i.e. a crew member that operates the
flying equipment. A demonstration on operating the fly
using our accompanied theatre student proved that
backdrops and sets several times the weight of the
flyman may be maneuvered up and down through the
strategic system with ease.
Rigging the Fly
Fly riggers are specialized stage crew members that
attach the scenery and equipment to the fly system.
Entire careers are organized around various stage
crew positions such as being a “rigger”.
Playing it Safe
With the theatre’s high up technical locations
and catwalks, for attending to the “lofty” needs of
productions, particular care and training on
safety is imperative to the well being of all
theatre participants.
Need a Lift?
Other equipment, such as the lift, also
requires strict supervision and
instruction for the theatre students.
The theatre manager at SJHHS is
acutely aware of the many levels of
risk that must be overseen due to the
advanced design of the facility.
Student safety and the proper use of
the equipment is paramount.
A World Down Under
Other strategic points along the tour were pointed out
such as the stage trap door and the automated
orchestra pit. The SJHHS Theatre Manager’s job is
to oversee all extensions of this highly complex and
sophisticated building while school is in and out of
session.
Costumes
No theatre is complete with out the accumulation of
unique and elaborate costumes. Current drama
teacher, Robert Rigg, has brought with him to SJHHS
not only his many years of experience as a theatre
professional but also an extensive collection of
costumes from previous productions. Many colleges
and universities are highlighting costume design as a
creative component to their technical theatre
programs.
A Set Up
Shop and carpentry is not dead
in the public schools as some
would say, it has simply moved
to the scene dock shop. The
design and building of sets have
brought drama students together
in the common goal of putting on
a performance. Learning to
design, build, paint, set up and
strike the set when the show is
complete, has taught numerous
students the carpentry skills that
those outside of the theatre
world can only imagine.
Props
Managing and
acquiring volumes of
props is both a
logistical and often
design challenge. Prop
(short for Properties)
managers are required
to be organized, pay
attention to details and
item authenticity, all of
which are essential to
the creative process.
Tickets Please
Those with hearing impairment may
also check out headsets for their
added assistance.
Selling tickets is the ultimate goal
of all performances for without the
audience there would be no show.
The ticket booth needs special
overseeing as thousands of dollars
can easily change hands for just
one show. Current technology also
is there to assist as tickets may
now be purchased online in
advance and picked up at the will
call window. Business and
marketing acquired skills is another
of the many hidden experiences
offered to student participants.
Not to be Forgotten...
Many other key positions are found in the
technical side of theatre such as:
•Dresser – Crew member that aids with
dressing the performers
•Electrician – Chief, Deputy and Assistant –
necessary to keep the proper working of lights
•Orchestral Conductor – Conducts the
Orchestra
•Dramaturge – Responsible for the literary
interpretation and meaning of the play and
historical accuracy
The Director
Artistically speaking, the person responsible for the
interpretive aspects of a stage, film, or television
production; the person who supervises the
integration of all the elements, as acting, staging, and
lighting, required to realize the writer's vision is none
other than the director. Once the director has
completed his work, he is often seen in the audience
as the play is performed. Many times the director will
move to another theatrical project as the current
production continues to run.
Question: Who then is running the show if the
director takes his leave or becomes an audience
member?
Answer: The Stage Manager and the stage and
technical crew.
Stage Management
Headsets on, dark clothing to blend into the shadows
with and prompt book in hand the stage manager’s job
kicks into high gear just before the curtain is raised.
Prior to the show’s opening night, the stage manager is
busy scheduling rehearsals, meeting with the director,
participating in auditions and overall organizing and
bringing together all the elements of the entire
production. It is the stage manager’s job to insure the
director’s staging and creative direction are carried
through into the live performance.
From Start to Finish
Throughout the run of a show, the stage manager is in
charge from start to finish. Through “calling” the show,
which may include calling the cues to the light board
operator; checking on sound quality; double checking with
the assistant stage manager (ASM) on scene changes;
checking with performers regarding entrance cues; or
overseeing prop management, the stage manager’s job is
to execute the director’s artistic plans and instructions
during the live performance. What the conductor is to the
orchestra, the stage manager is to the show. Managerial
skills and acute problem solving abilities are essential to
this adrenalin filled position.
The Prompt Book
With so many tasks to be mastered, the stage
manager relies on their “prompt” book to keep the
show running smoothly. This notebook holds all the
lighting cues, master script, musical numbers,
rehearsal and show schedules and numerous other
important pieces of necessary information to insure
the running of a production. The prompt book is the
stage manager’s self produced instruction manual to
preserve the director’s vision and instructions.
The Final Curtain Call
Thank you to the following for making “The Technical Side
of Theatre” presentation possible:
•Saddleback Community College and the
SOCCCD Collaborative 2008-2009 CTE Grant Funded
Externship Program
•The Capistrano Unified School District
•Capistrano-Laguna Beach ROP
•San Juan Hills High School
•Robert Stewart, San Juan Hills High School Theatre
Manager
•CUSD/Tesoro High School Theatre Arts Alumni:
•Hilary Bergen- Tesoro Stage Manager 2008-2009
& all around “Techie” 2005-2009
•Brooke Bergen- Performer 2003-2007