Teaching Tech

OH NO!! I am not prepared for this wonderful thing!

My first theatre teaching job was during the inaugural year of that school.

I'd just been given the old chapel to turn into the new theatre with the words, "Go buy some stage lights for this place." Uh, oh...

All my training had been in acting and directing; my tech background was pretty darn sparse. It hadn't really dawned on me that becoming the new "drama guy" meant being and allegedly knowing all things theatrical from acting to lighting to set construction to program design. Yikes!

That memory has always stayed strongly with me, and now, at the other end of my career of 40 years, I have learned much I wish I'd known when I started. And so now I'm in the business of creating resources for those who come after me. Currently I'm finishing up a book of just over 100 pages that I call Teaching Tech You Never Learned.



I know that tech remains a weak link for many middle and high school theatre educators (fewer and fewer, but still many many). And I know how overwhelming the job is, teaching multiple "preps" plus directing shows plus producing all of the tech aspects. There is no time for taking tech theatre classes at a local university; there's barely time to breathe. On the other hand, you know that building a strong program means including tech - and those kids who are hungrier to create backstage than risk being onstage - and that means teaching it. Teaching tech you never learned.

The book provides the basics to get you started, from what and why to how... and includes lesson plans and grading rubrics, too. It covers safety, sound, lighting, set, props, costumes and makeup (and a bit of publicity/marketing). Its target audience is encouraging all to include technical theatre in their introductory "acting" class; those unfortunates who find themselves teaching a combination acting-tech class; and those who want to upgrade the technical aspects of their productions. And of course, a nod to (and a full syllabus for) those teaching Technical Theatre as its own course offering.

If your confidence soars with a group of actors in front of you, but sinks when faced with lumber, lights, microphones and such, this introductory text - currently available as an eBook en route to a hard copy version - will be just the ticket to help you move forward as you gain more experience.

You can check it out HERE.