Theatrical technician

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A theatrical technician, also known as a theatrical tech, theatre technician, or theatre tech is a person who operates technical equipment and systems in the performing arts and entertainment industry. Technicians in contrast to performers, is the broad category that contains all "unseen" theatrical personnel who practice stagecraft and are responsible for the logistic and production-related aspects of a performance. The role of theatrical technician should not be confused with the role of a designer, who's role is to not operate the system but work with the director to create the idea of the system that the tech will put into action, although it is common for the roles of designer and technician to be performed by the same person.

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The job of a technician may be volunteer or a paid position. It is not uncommon to receive compensation (such as comp/free tickets to the current or future productions or items used in the show) in other forms than money for pay. This type of compensation allows the person working to receive value for their services while not costing the producer more out-of-pocket expenses. Theatrical technicians are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees in the United States.

Classifications

Theatrical fields operated by technicians include:

A single theatrical technician may regularly work on one or more of the above fields during load in, load outs (strike), rehearsal and performance. Performance technicians are generally divided between those backstage (stagehands, Stage Managers) and those in a control room (lighting and audio technicians). During load in and load out additional crew members may be needed due to the amount of work required to be completed in a short time span. Larger and more complex shows require larger crews and often personnel with specialized advanced skills to perform these job functions.

Carpentry

Set construction with set designer Sec construction with set designer.jpg
Set construction with set designer

This is the general name for all work involving scenery, including the deck (floor) of the stage.

Electrics

A light board operator controls the light board for a concert. Light Board Operator.jpg
A light board operator controls the light board for a concert.

This department is responsible for all of the onstage lighting for a show including stage lighting and followspots. Electricians are responsible for the assembly, installation, operation and maintenance of the lighting for a production. The Electrics department is also typically in charge of any fog or haze machines used during a production, as well as the configuration of pyrotechnics and other special hardware. [1]

Rigging

Peter Pan 332 (15584371324) Peter Pan 332 (15584371324).jpg
Peter Pan 332 (15584371324)

This department is responsible for all equipment hung (flown) in the theater space. This department varies greatly from show to show, sometimes being absorbed into the Electrics or Carpentry departments. If the production incorporates personnel flying (such as in the staging of Peter Pan), there will usually be designated riggers specifically trained in flying actors. Rigging techniques and traditions come from sailing. Sailors were considered the earliest stagehands in history and many techniques used today for rigging in the theater are from standard uses on boats. Theater technicians today have also incorporated techniques from mountain climbers as well to improve the capabilities of flying equipment in the air. [2]

Properties

The properties department is responsible for all hand and scenic props for a show. This usually includes furniture, weaponry and consumables (paper, food and drink) for a production. In addition to the above duties, the props department is responsible for the cleanliness of the stage floor, including sweeping and mopping of the stage surface.

Audio

Solid State Logic SL 9000J Seventy Two channel mixing console SSL SL9000J (72ch) @ The Cutting Room Recording Studios, NYC.jpg
Solid State Logic SL 9000J Seventy Two channel mixing console

The audio department is responsible for all sound production for a show, including the configuration of microphones, speakers and control equipment, as well as the production of any necessary audio tracks. [3] Personnel in this department include:

Special Effects

Pyrotechnics Pyrotechnics.jpg
Pyrotechnics

Theatrical technicians are responsible for the production and operation of explosives, special effects and illusions on sufficiently large theatrical productions. Today many of the special effects used on stage have been modernized and are extremely advanced the most commonly used effects are nature, fire, fog and haze. In order to make special effects seem more realistic on stage technicians use innovative techniques and special equipment to bring the production to life across the stage. For nature effects like wind, fans are commonly used to bring movement on stage by adjusting the speed and direction of the fan. For effects like fire, equipment is brought in to create flames and smoke and is usually operated by a licensed special effects operator. Whereas fog and haze machines are easy and accessible for technicians to use and only require fluid to be placed inside the machine to vaporize into fog and haze. These machines also have functions where the flow and speed of the fog and haze can be adjusted to control how its distributed throughout a production. [2]

Stage management

The stage manager is in control of a production during its run. Responsibilities include calling the cues and determining the starting time of the show and ensuring the safety of all persons involved. Depending on circumstances, multiple positions are possible:

Career

Awards

Similarly to other theatrical professions Theatrical Technicians also have various awards they can win that showcase their accomplishments throughout their careers, however technician and backstage awards are much less prevalent and unknown. Here the main 2 awards that a Theatrical Technicians can win.

Well Known Theatrical Technicians

George Izenour (1912–2007)

Izenour was an inventor and a theatrical technician and designer. His work led him to hold 27 patents in stage craft and he invented one of the first dimming light system for a theater. Izenour's accomplishments made him one of the founders of modern technical theatre. [6]

Richard Pilbrow (1933–2023)

Richard Pilbrow was lighting designer and theatre consultant. Pilbrow founded the company Theatre Projects, one of he worlds leading theatre design and planning firms. He also was on the USITT board of directors and cofounded the ABTT. [7]

Jean Rosenthal (1912–1969)

Jean Rosenthal was a lighting designer known for her work on West Side Story and the Fidler on the Roof. Her work contributed greatly to the idea of selective visibility and other modern uses of light design. Rosenthal was also an author, publishing The Magic of Light, a guide to lighting theory and best practices. [8]

See also

References

  1. Gloman, Chuck B. (2007). Scenic design and lighting techniques: a basic guide for theatre. Rob Napoli. Oxford, UK: Focal Press. ISBN   978-1-136-08493-5.
  2. 1 2 Carver, Rita Kogler (2012). Stagecraft Fundamentals Second Edition: A Guide and Reference for Theatrical Production. Massachusetts, U.S.: Focal Press. pp. 256–262. ISBN   9780240808574.
  3. "What is Technical Theatre? | FB Playhouse". The Forestburgh Playhouse | Theater in Sullivan Catskills, NY. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  4. "ABTT People Awards". Association of British Theatre Technicians. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  5. "USITT Awards". United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  6. "George C. Izenour drawings of the theater". archives.libraries.psu.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  7. "USITT Mourns the Passing of Richard Pilbrow". United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  8. "Jean Rosenthal". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 2025-05-01.