technical
production

The Technical Production curriculum prepares students for careers in professional theatre as one or more of the following: technical director, property master, master electrician, audio engineer, and/or shop supervisor. The training is accomplished through mentoring, class work, and production assignments. In addition to providing the management skills necessary for successful technical direction, the curriculum includes rigorous training in the following areas:

• • CAD and other computer skills
• • Scenery construction
• • Rigging
• • Stage mechanics and automation
• • Painting
• • Properties construction and management
• • Lighting
• • Sound

Year One
The first year of the training cycle emphasizes and establishes a substantial foundation of knowledge and skill in all of the production areas of scenic construction, properties, electrics, and audio, as well as CAD and computer skills, management techniques, and the distinctions of professional theatrical practice. Classroom work is combined with production assignments on two to four classic plays.

Year Two
Second year classroom work concentrates on advanced topics in the various areas of technical production. Production assignments increase in quantity as well as level of responsibility in approximately four to six productions that are selected from the classic repertoire.

Year Three
The third year focuses almost entirely on production activity with approximately ten to twelve plays produced, sometimes including revivals of productions from the previous two years. Classroom work is limited to a seminar that explores advanced topics that are selected on the basis of student needs and requests.

Throughout the Training

• • The majority of each student's time is spent in practical work, carefully chosen to address individual needs.
• • Students work closely with faculty, professional staff artisans, as well as guest designers and directors.
• • Productions are typically mounted in groups of two or more, providing the student with the stimulating challenges of producing in a variety of venues as well as in rotating repertory.
• • Students supervise and manage undergraduates in a variety of shop and crew assignments.
• • The quality of the finished product is measured against the highest professional standards.