I'm glad that you are considering tech at all, as so many new Drama teachers are taken by surprise, or under-estimate, just how much they may be required to teach technical theatre. If you're lucky you will land a job in a high school theatre that already has a technical staff for their students, such as the 'Gold Standard' examples I list on my website at
http://www.presett.org/gold-standard-schools.html. If you're like a lot of Drama teachers, though, you will be running a one-person show – teaching acting, teaching tech, designing your shows (or mentoring student designers), and likely managing your theatre for all the school events.
George is right, there are so many books, and courses too, out there to help you! And it's really great that you are getting a head start! If I can help you in any way, please contact me (my contact info is in my signature line).
All the best!
------------------------------
Beth Rand, EBMS
Educational Lighting Designer
School Theatre Operations Coach
www.PRESETT.org- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS BOOKS and COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE DOWNLOADS (http://www.presett.org/helpful-books.html)
- LIGHTING INSTITUTE FOR THEATRE TEACHERS - ONLINE MINI COURSES (ask for complimentary syllabus)
- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS ONLINE COURSE FOR TEACHERS (ask for complimentary syllabus)
- THE ECLECTECH SHOPPE (http://www.presett.org/eclectech.html)
beth@PRESETT.orgWestminster, CO
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2019 11:55
From: George Ledo
Subject: Teaching Theatre Wish List
Just a couple of notes on Technical Theatre for Nontechnical People:
One, it's a good overview of the field and gets down to the nitty-gritty in some cases, like stating that a TD is not a designer and should not be expected to design. However, the book is not a stand-alone shortcut to learning about every subject included. There are no shortcuts. You list several books on acting and teaching because one book can't cover it all, and the same goes for every subject in the book.
Two, because it's not a stand-alone shortcut, you need to balance some of the content against other books that cover those subjects in more detail.
Three, and one thing I like about it, is that it splits design and tech (it calls tech "tools") into separate chapters and discusses each one separately. They are separate, and people generally gravitate to one or the other. No different than some people gravitating towards acting and others towards directing. Sure there are some people who can act and direct wonderfully, but they are very rare. The same is true for designers and tech people, whether it be sets, lighting, costumes, or anything else.
It's a very good book for its intended purpose, but it's not a stand-alone source for the tech parts of theatre.
------------------------------
George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
www.georgefledo.net
Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2019 11:24
From: Caitlyn Ney
Subject: Teaching Theatre Wish List
I am currently almost halfway done with my student-teaching high school theatre. I have started to create an Amazon wish list of things I would like to receive as graduation gifts and/or buy over the summer to help me with my first few years of teaching. Do you guys have any recommendations of what to add? It can be anything from lots of school supplies to books full of lessons and games. It can be strictly theatre-related or things that will greatly help at all
Things already on the list:
- Technical Theatre for Nontechnical People
- Teaching Drama: Essential Handbook
- Introduction to Theatre Arts 1 & 2 (Suzi Zimmerman)
- At Play: Teaching Teenagers Theatre
- Theatre Games for the Classroom (Viola Spolin)
- Improvisation for the Theatre (Viola Spolin)
Thanks in advance!
------------------------------
Caitlyn Ney
Saint Charles MO
------------------------------