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Often times when people think of theatre, the first thing that comes to mind is acting, singing, maybe even Broadway, but in reality there's a lot more to it. There are plenty of people who would be interested in theatre more if they knew what options there are outside of acting, that's where technical theatre comes in! But how do you tell which one is right for you?
Technical Theatre
If you want to be involved in productions but don't feel comfortable acting, this is the perfect place to start! Tech provides a wonderful opportunity to see what it's like working on a production and to fully understand just how much work goes into a show behind the scenes. Whether you decide to move to acting or to stay a techie, technical theatre work is a great way to get your start.
Some technical theatre roles include....
Sound Design
Find sound effects and implement them into performances. Run the sound board from the booth during performances/rehearsals.
Lighting Design
Learn how to operate a light board and create lighting plots. Analyze scripts to make lighting decisions that enhance a scene. Run the light board during performances/rehearsals.
Web Design/Management
Keep our lovely website up to date and functional. Add information for upcoming shows and links to tickets, create student resources and more.
Shifting Crew
Help transition between scenes by moving props/set pieces on and off stage. Listen for cues and help actors backstage.
Prop Master
Keep track of props, make the prop table, and help set props before and after shows. Be ready to help locate missing props and make lists of needed props.
Set Construction
Help build sets using various materials and tools. Learn construction techniques, paint sets, and solve problems. Help create a believable setting.
And many, many more!
Acting
If you have ever wanted a great excuse to play pretend, acting is honestly the best one ever. People who are confident and outgoing make great actors! Even if you don't necessarily consider yourself to be either, acting can still help you to come out of your shell. Whether you dream to be the lead or you'd rather play a smaller character, there will always be a role for you!
Some acting skills include...
- Speaking
- Movement
- Improvisation
- Singing (Musicals)
- Dancing (Musicals)
- Conversation
- Communication
- Self Confidence
- Puppeteering
- And so many more!
So How do I Choose?
Think about how you would handle certain situations and responsibilities of each. For example if you wanted to get a lead role as an actor you would need to be very dedicated to memorization and be able to hold yourself with confidence on stage, or if you wanted to be a stage manager you would need to be able to dedicate your time to memorizing cues and be able to attend every rehearsal. If you still can't decide maybe it would be a good idea to try them both, there's no reason to commit solely to tech or acting (unless that's what you want to do, in that case by all means commit). If you have any questions or would like to talk about certain roles talk to another thespian or one of your officers. At the end of the day the choice is up to you, will you spend your time in the spotlight? or will you be the one controlling it?