Theatrical technician

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A theatrical technician, tech, techie, theatre tech, or theatre technician is a person who operates technical equipment and systems in performing arts theatres.

1 Typical Jobs
2 Stagecraft Classifications
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Typical Jobs

A theatrical technician's jobs may include:

set construction and theatrical carpentry,
sound system operation,
lighting design and board operation as well as various other electrical jobs,
rigging of stage lighting instruments and microphones,
flying of scenery, and
stage management

A single theatrical technician may regularly do one or most of the above jobs. Usually it is just one or two people in the technical booth or on stage operating all the equipment, except in the case of set construction, due to the amount of work required, and very large shows such as a show on Broadway, which may have many people doing one of the above jobs.

The position is very often a paid position.

It should be noted that some professional entertainment industry technicians dislike being named a "techie", and would rather be referred to as technicians. "Techies" sometimes have many various nicknames and sayings. For instance, a popular term for an industrial accident in some theatres is called a jonathan after a possibly mythical technician who repeatedly injured himself twice a month for the enirety of a project. Another popular nickname for techies is "unsungs" as a term of endearment usually used by the cast, but as with everything it varies from theatre to theatre. Also a commonly used phrase in high school theatre, mainly by the people themselves not other people like in professional theatre.

[edit] Stagecraft Classifications

Stagecraft and technicians can be classified into departments and jobs as follows. Please note that not all productions will have all departments and/or jobs filled, and, in many cases, one technician will perform multiple jobs (even if only possessing one title).

Technical Director - An entire position of itself. This person will typically oversee the carpentry, rigging, lighting and props departments. Depending on the production, may also supervise the audio and pyrotechnics departments. Reporting structure varies greatly depending on the production, usually reporting to the Producer or Managing Director.
Carpentry - This is the technical name for all work involving scenery, including the deck (floor) of the performance space.
- Master Carpenter - Although there may be multiple Master Carpenters in a scene shop, typically a performance or tour will only have one. On a show, this person will typically report directly to the Technical Director.
- Carpenter - Multiple carpenters may be attached to a single show, and report to the Master Carpenter. These technicians are responsible both for assembling and building the scenery as well as moving scenic elements during scene shifts.
Electrics - This department is responsible for all of the onstage lighting for a show including, but not limited to, practicals, 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 machines or hazer used during a production. Also, if a show uses minor pyrotechnics (small air cannons, e.g.), these items are sometimes placed under the purview of this department.
- Master Electrician - The head of the Electrics department on a show. Typcially reports directly to the Technical Director, but also to the Lighting Designer during the development phase of a show.
- Head Followspot Operator - In some shows, a separate technician is assigned to give all cues to the followspot operators in order to reduce the workload on the stage manager.
- Electrician - Multiple electricians may be assigned to a single show. On touring shows, this can be a general designation, with specific positions as follows:
  - Deck Electrician - Responsible for all electric elements on the stage floor, including roving instruments, fog machines, practicals or lighting installed into scenic pieces. Also, in some shows (usually dance productions), it is necessary to swap the color media in the middle of the show on instruments, this would be handled by Deck Electricians.
  - Followspot Operators - These technicians operate the followspots to track performers during a show.
Rigging - This department is responsible for all equipment which is hung (flown) in the theatre space. This department varies greatly from show to show, sometimes being absorbed into the Electrics and/or Carpentry departments. If the production incorporates personnel flying (such as Peter Pan), there will usually be separate riggers specifically trained in flying people.
- Rigger - The general term for persons in this department. If a rigger is specifically assigned to a certain department, they will have a title referencing that department (Electrics Rigger).
- Flyman - Specific term normally used with counterweight rigging system for an operator of the linesets for those systems.
- Head Flyman - The senior technician in charge of the operations of a counterweight rigging system.
Props - The props 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.
- Propsmaster/Propsmistress - The head of the Props department. Will also usually be in charge of purchasing or building the props for a show.
Audio - The audio department is responsible for all sound production for a show, including microphones, speakers and control equipment.
Pyrotechnics/Special Effects - A rarely seen department in theatre due to the heavy restrictions on the use of true pyrotechnics, this department is sometimes combined with others (usually the Electrics department). Responsible for the production and operation of explosives, special effects and illusions.
Stage Management - The stage management is the department in charge during the run of a production. Responsibilities include calling the cues, determining the starting time of the show and insuring the safety of all persons involved, among others. Depending on circumstances, multiple positions are possible:
- Production Stage Manager - Typically seen on touring shows or larger permanent venues, this is usually the seniormost member of the stage management staff.
- Stage Manager - The usual title applied to the head stage manager assigned to a specific production. This will also be the person who will run a show during performances.
- Assistant Stage Manager - Reports to the Stage Manager, usually assist backstage or onstage during a production.
- Repertory Stage Manager - Used occasionally if one stage manager oversees multiple productions being performed in repertory. During any one production, would fulfill the duties assigned to the Stage Manager as above.
- Production Assistant - Used in Equity houses (Actor's Equity Association is the union for Stage Managers), this is the non-union equivalent of an Assistant Stage Manager
- Deck Stage Manager - Used in some shows to specifically refer to the Assistant Stage Manager on the deck during a performance.
Wardrobe - Responsible for the creation and maintenance of costume pieces and dressing the performers.
- Wardrobe Mistress/Master - The head of the wardrobe department during a production
- Dresser - General Wardrobe technician during a show that assists the performers in dressing and performing quickchanges.
- Draper
- Tailor
- Costumer - Person responsible for the creation of all costumes for a show. Similar to a Technical Director for the Wardrobe, Hair and Makeup departments.
- Milliner - Seen occasionally, this person is responsible for the creation of headwear for a show.
Wardrobe Crafts - Sometimes found as a separate department or a sub-department of Wardrobe, this department is responsible for the creation of masks, headresses or non-standard costumes for a production.
Hair/Makeup - Twin departments responsible for the makeup, wigs and hair stylings for a show.
General Technicians
- Swing (Position) - Refers to a technician who is "part-time" and can substitute for the position. E.g., a Swing Carpenter can perform the duties of a carpenter if one of the normal persons assigned is out sick or on vacation. Typically a Swing will have multiple positions they can substitute into.