EXPLORATION: TECHNICAL THEATRE From Theatre: Art in Action

THE STAGE CREW Set construction Props Lighting Sound Costumes Makeup His Majesty’s Theatre

SET CONSTRUCTION CREW Creates the set: the onstage physical space and its structures – the actors perform here Set Designer: conceives the set the construction crew then builds Shifting Crew: the crew which changes sets from scene to scene during the show – often the set construction crew

PROPERTIES (PROP) CREW Wicked’s Dragon Prop Responsible for gathering and organizing props: anything actors handle onstage as well as furniture and other items used to enhance the set Props may be rented, purchased, built or borrowed Prop Master: manages the prop crew

LIGHTING CREW Lighting: any illumination of the set and actors during a performance Necessary to make actors visible Can communicate a play’s time, place or mood Lighting Designer decides what kinds of lights are needed, where to focus them, and when to turn them on Lighting crew places lights and runs them during the show

SOUND Sound Designer decides what kinds of music and sound effects are needed and whether they should be live or recorded Sound crew collects, prepares and runs the sound during a performance Sound (audio) during a performance may include amplification of actors’ voices

COSTUMES Costume: any clothing an actor wears onstage for a performance Costume Designer: chooses or designs costumes Costumes may be rented, bought, borrowed or made Costume crew keeps costumes in good repair and clean from one performance to the next

MAKEUP Makeup: cosmetics and hairstyling, including false hairpieces and false features Emphasizes facial features so actors stand out onstage Add age or special qualities

SET CONSTRUCTION AND PROP CREWS Scene Shop: stage crew’s center of operation; primary workspace for set construction and prop crews Some large theatres have separate prop shops Most shops have high ceilings to accommodate tall set pieces and a basic collection of tools Shops have lots of storage space and many work areas for different needs Prop shop must be well organized

SET CONSTRUCTION BASICS: FLATS Lightweight frame covered with canvas, muslin or wood Most are 2-4 feet wide and 8-12 feet tall Painted and positioned vertically next to each other to form walls

SET CONSTRUCTION BASICS: PLATFORMS Set piece with a solid top and braced legs made to support the weight of actors, furniture, sets and props

SET CONSTRUCTION BASICS: BACKDROPS (DROPS) Large canvas or muslin curtain that hangs at the back of the stage setting Can be lighted or painted for special effects

LIGHTING AND SOUND CREWS ON THE STAGE Lights and microphones are hung and positioned IN THE SCENE SHOP (STORAGE) Lighting instruments Electrical cable Other equipment storage

LIGHTING BASICS 4 basic types of lighting instruments: spotlights, floodlights (scoops), followspots and strip lights – affects the throw (distance) the light can be cast Lights are controlled from the lighting control board, attached to a dimmer

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT…

(and you do)

…is to conduct a Lighting Survey of your own!

Name:______________________________ Consider the lighting effects in various places around school, home, and your community. Think about the colors, intensity (brightness), and angle of lights, as well as various light sources – the sun, lamps, candles, fluorescent lights, etc. Then answer the following questions and turn the assignment in. Your answers should be thoughtful and express complete ideas. What three places are you referring to? 1.____________________ 2.____________________ 3.____________________ How does the lighting in different places affect your mood? Be specific! Place #1: Place #2: Place #3: What mood (if any) is the lighting trying to establish in these places?