Theatrical technician

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See also: List of theatre personnel

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

Contents

[edit] Typical jobs

A theatrical technician's jobs may include:

A single theatrical technician may regularly do one or most of the above jobs during load in, load outs, rehearsal and shows. There is normally at least one or two people during a show call in the technical booth or on stage operating all the equipment. 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 multiple people and often specialized advanced skills to perform these job functions.

The position 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.

[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.

[edit] Carpentry

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

  • 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.

[edit] 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.

  • Lighting designer - The person who designs the light plot for a show. This person does not actually focus the lights unless the production is a smaller one.
  • Master Electrician - The head of the Electrics department on a show. Typically 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.
    • Light board operator - The person who operates the light board and controls all the stage lights during a show.
    • 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.

[edit] 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 designated riggers specifically trained in flying actors.

  • 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.

[edit] 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.

  • Propsmaster/Propsmistress - The head of the Properties department. Will also usually be in charge of purchasing or building the props for a show.
  • Prop-monkey - A term of endearment for those who must move scenic props on (and off) stage or supply actors with their props during the show. This job is often unnecessary in small shows.
  • May also be referred to as a Set dresser

[edit] Audio

The audio department is responsible for all sound production for a show, including microphones, speakers and control equipment.

FOH (Front Of House) Mix - sometimes the head of audio, a technician responsible for the live mixing of a show or musical, usually stationed in the house (where they can hear the show). These technicians generally do not take their cues from the Stage Manager.

RF (Radio Frequencies) Technician - responsible for the set up and maintenance of RF Microphones, the placement of lav mics and the general run around Deck audio for shows. Usually in close communication with FOH Mix.

Head of Audio - Responsible for all things audio under the Sound designer, also including projection in many cases.

[edit] 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. On sufficiently large productions may be responsible for duties usually assigned to other departments (e.g.: fog and haze)

[edit] 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 insuring the safety of all persons involved. 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.

[edit] 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, headdresses or non-standard costumes for a production.
  • Hair/Makeup - Twin departments responsible for the makeup, wigs and hair stylings for a show.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

  • Onstage! a site devoted to technical theatre/techie humor
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