TECHNICAL THEATER CURRICULUM
Technical Theater is a common sense practice of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The goal of this middle school curriculum is to provide hands-on experience in theater technology and design.
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Developed while working as a Technical Director at a K-8 school, this curriculum focuses on hands-on learning for students in grades 6th through 8th, while sparking interest in theater technology in younger students through use on-stage in their own performances.
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CURRICULUM BREAKDOWN
Lighting
Learn lamp types, pieces, uses, and hanging techniques. From there perfect the art of the spotlight and learn basic light programming techniques. From there, apply your knowledge to learn and design using 3 point and multi point stage lighting. This includes advanced patching and programming. For the advance students that are eager to take on the next step, LED design and connection are the ultimate goal
Sound
Students learn the science of sound, sound design, and basic live audio operation. This includes learning how to correctly manipulate mic stands and place body microphones. Students start with learning the in's and out's of the basic microphone and work their way up to board operation for live performances. Students also have the opportunity to design sound using Qlab.
Set Design
Math and design collide as students have to take ideas and scale them to stage size. How do we create a sense of proportion while still trying to achieve design goals? Students learn the basics of set construction, including soft flats and texture painting techniques (brick, stone, grass, etc). From there, students are encouraged to start applying advanced design ideas such as color theory (additive vs subtractive) as well shape theory. Students are encouraged to design and become project managers for pieces used in a live production.
Costumes
Students begin working with costumes by learning the art of the quick change. From here, students start to learn how to desgn and put together costumes that emphasize a characters story. While developing design skills, students are encouraged to learn hand and machine sewing.
Theater/Effect Makeup
Typically taught through the venue of a Haunted House - students work together to develop makeup sketches and designs before learning how to implement their ideas. Students learn basic techniques for thin/round face, contour, beauty, gore, and prosthetic makeup.
Stage Management
This curriculum focuses on leadership, collaboration, organization, and "seeing the bigger picture". Students work as stage mangers during rehearsals, learning to take blocking notes and rehearsal reports. Advanced students take on the challenge of Assistant Stage Managing shows. This includes making a transition sheet for each on-stage shift. For those students that demonstrate an exceptional understanding of the calling process, opportunities are given to call shows with varying degrees of difficulty.
Video/Projection
Students learn the basic of video camera recording - including framing and camera movement. From there, students move into visual effect projection creation and design.
Live Visual Effects
Visual effects are often one of the most dynamic elements in aproduction and students are always eager to learn how it was done. Here we look at larger productions and the effects that are leading the industry. We then look at basic effects that are done at low or no budget. From there students design effects to incorporate into a production.
Ashley Saress Lemmex
Teaching Through Practice
I graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Commercial Production. After several years working in the film industry, both in production and post-production, I sought to expand my skillset by returning to school. Little did I know that one acting class would return me to my childhood roots in performing arts. During my time in school, I began to translate my film production skillset into a stage management "toolbox". In 2013, I graduated from SBCC with an Associate’s Degree in Theatre Arts emphasis in Acting/Directing and an Associate’s Degree in Business Management. I have spent the last four years as the Technical Director at Crane Country Day School, where I designed, built, stage managed, and choreographed various levels of children theater, including mentoring a student tech crew.
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In today's world, the role of a Teaching Artist is vital to creating dynamic theatre curriculum that inspires our youth. In the last four years working at Crane Country Day School, I designed and implemented a hands-on technical theater curriculum for middle school and high school students that allows students to explore the technical aspects of stage craft via the way that we tell stories through the use of these tools. In addition, I worked as a freelance technical director/designer and choreographer for local high schools. My skills and leadership experience working with youth, teachers, and the community allow me to help develop exciting programming that works in conjunction with your community goals.
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I'm sure we have all heard students utter the cringe worthy phrase, "When would I ever use that"? My reply: Technical Theater. The goal of a technical theater program is to work in conjunction with the STEAM program at your school. By practical applications in a theater element, students are given hands-on specific lessons that demonstrate real life examples of what they are learning in class. From building sets and costumes to designing effect elements and applying light, color, and sound theories, students are immersed in what it means to use these skills in an artistic setting. In many ways, a Technical Theater program can be the ideal collaboration of STEAM departments.
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My experience working with students began with a 6 middle school students - an all volunteer tech crew. We began meeting once a week at lunch, but with high demand to apply their skills we quickly moved to meeting several lunches a week. Over time, this crew grew from 6 to 26. Students were eager to sweep the stage and build sets. Extra time working on the light board? Learn how to body mic actors? Come in on weekends to work? Yes, please! Students handled the operation of all technical elements, as well as backstage roles - including stage management. They learned teamwork through hands-on application, but also in the design process, where idea collaboration is a key element. These students worked together to assist in the design and construction process - each year taking on bigger and bigger challenges.
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Recent design credits include: Sweeney Todd and Picnic at Laguna Blanca High School as well as Seussical Jr. and Bye Bye Birdie with Stage Left Productions. Additional design credits at Crane Country Day School include: School House Rock, Hairspray Jr., Winnie the Pooh, Puff the Magic Dragon, Wicked Wiz of Oz, Trial of the Big Bad Wolf, Chicken Little, Into the Woods, The Phantom Tollbooth, James and the Giant Peach, The Quest for P's and Q's, The Rainbow Fish, and The Little Mermaid.
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-Ashley Saress Lemmex
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I’d be happy to provide you with additional information about individual curriculum courses, including hand-outs, project sheets, evaluations, and work sheets.