Technical theatre marries the arts with problem solving...and is a joy to create and teach. One of the greatest challenges we face is bringing our ideas, or those of a playwright to life. Students who have the opportunity to engage the multiple disciplines within technical theatre become masters at this art.
Whether studying lighting and sound, sets, make-up, costume, puppetry, scenic painting, or prop construction, I use a classic process based approach. This begins with research to provide context and inspiration, and moves on to rough drawings and final designs. These designs are developed into plans and material lists, or scores and cue sheets, before the hands-on fun of realizing them can begin. Work doesn't finish there though. All work gets thorough critique and revisons where necessary. Students learn that while their final goal may be a product or production, it is the process that stays with them. |
Below, a gallery of sets and two student set models. Click on images to see enlarged versions.
Lighting can develop mood in dramatic ways. Below, two student created lighting designs, one for The Wizard of Oz and the other shown during a rehearsal for The Crucible
Costume and make-up are favorites for my Tech & Design classes as shown in these images. Below left, a pirate look. Center, a negative space exercise created using airbrushed makeup. Right, a combination of airbrush and hand work create Maori looks for a production of Peter Pan.
Below, my rough pattern for the Tin Man Costume, and the realized design.