Cue3Go!

Issue 8, 2023

Techie Tip of the Week

TECH THEATRE - STEM BEHIND THE SCENES

Part 8 of an 8-part series on ACTION STEPS you can take to level-up support and funding for your school theatre.

YOUR CHALLENGE

How does your admin view time spent in the theatre? Are they aware of the educational value of the theatre? Do you have vocational students who will go on to work in the industry?  (Has anyone seen the list of people in the credits of a movie!)

And now we come to the primary reason why a school theatre exists in the first place.  To educate students. Although not all of your students who work behind the scenes in your theatre will pursue careers in the entertainment industry – just like not all students in a math class will become mathematicians – the transferrable career skills and life skills all students will gain will be invaluable. After all, technical theatre is a CTE subject. And, as I always say – Tech Theatre is STEM Behind the Scenes! 

Tech theatre education is a part of the Theatre Manager’s job, whether or not you are also a certificated teacher.  You may not be directly involved – your technicians may be acting as mentors – but you need to help provide the students you work with, with the skills and knowledge they will need to be safe and competent in their jobs in your theatre and out in the world.  You are not only providing them with practical hands-on stills, but with life skills too, such as teamwork, self-responsibility and problem solving.

And you need your admin’s support to properly serve your students!

YOUR ACTION

Choose one tech theatre student whom you’ve worked with in the past who has really benefited from being in tech theatre in high school. What was their specialty (lights, sound, sets, costumes, SM, etc)? What were the student’s natural characteristics that made them excel in tech theatre?  How did they grow as a result of being in tech theatre? What were their leadership qualities as well as their teamwork qualities – how did they balance these.  What did this student do after high school (if you know)?  If this student didn’t pursue a career in tech theatre, how did what they learn in tech theatre prepare them for their career? If you haven’t worked with a vocational tech student in the past discuss in general how you see high school tech theatre will prepare all students for the ‘real world’, either in a career in the entertainment business or in other related fields.

Present your ‘student biography’ to your administration.

(For more ideas about advocating for support and funding for education in your school theatre, check out the Education chapter of High School Theatre Operations. For more detailed guidance on vocational education support, check out the Theatre Management Training online course or tutorials.)

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This editorial is the express opinion of Beth Rand, and is not intended for substitution for professional advice regarding your specific situation or circumstances.

Leveling Up

Online courses for school theatre teachers and staff

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COURSES PLEASE VISIT:

Theatre Management Training Course

Theatre Management Tutorials

Lighting and Safety Courses

Safety Webinar for Students

Dear Techie,

I'm looking to invest in a new communication system. Right now I have 3 wired Clearcoms which are older than old. They squeal when you widen the headband to put it on or take it off your head, they're static-y, and frankly not long for this world. I would really love to get a system that is wireless, so my crew and I are not tethered to a wall during a show. I would also prefer to have about 6 headsets so I can cover myself, a stage manager, an asst. stage manager, lights operator, sound operator, and deck master. Any suggestions?

Wired in CA

Dear Wired,

It sounds like you have given a lot of thought to what you need.  I can’t recommend any one brand, but for anyone thinking about installing or upgrading a headset system, consider that both wireless and wired headsets have their benefits and you should probably spec some of each.  

WIRED

Wired headsets don’t eat up batteries, and are best for people who don’t have to walk around.  For instance, the light board and sound board operators,the followspot operators.

WIRELESS

Wireless headsets are best for crew who need to move around, such as a fly system operator.  The fly rail area can be a dangerous place and a long wired headset cable would be a big tripping hazard.  The SM should also have a wireless headset. Another person who has to move around backstage is a Mic Wrangler.  Likewise for the House Manager who has to move around the lobby, in and out of audience members, concession sellers, and the box office.  A cable would be very impractical.

Two more things to take into consideration:

RECHARABLE BATTERIES

You can spend hundreds of dollars a year on headset batteries - so be sure to include rechargables in your budget.

HOW MANY MUFFS

Always (almost always – the sound board op might be one exception) spec single muff headsets. A theatre is not a recording studio.  Theatre technicians absolutely must have single muff headsets. It is essential that one ear is uncovered in order for the technicians to be able to hear what is going on around them.  This is a huge safety issue.  Technicians on stage must be aware of their surroundings, and they must be able to hear any warning calls.

Submit your Dear Techie questions to [email protected].  

How do you make sure that a light gets focused in just the right spot?

Hang a speaker there.

Submit your Bad Theatre Joke or Funnies to [email protected].

And finally, always remember...

It is PRESETT's mission to provide information to assist in endeavors for safe and functional operations of school theatres. However, PRESETT is not a safety consultant or professional, and any information provided or advocated is not intended to supplement, not supersede, industry safety training. Always consult a theatre safety specialist about your specific situation or circumstances.