What is “Technical Theatre”?

Technical theatre or “helping with tech” refers to all of the behind-scenes-work that takes place to help support telling a compelling story on stage.  

What technical elements does Acme use

Acme uses the following technical elements in our productions: set, costumes, props,lights, sound, stage management, publicity and front of house.  

Who designs the technical elements? 

Acme student leaders are responsible for designing these technical elements of the production.  These leaders also organize and leading the crews to execute these elements.

What can I be involved with

All 9th through 12th grade students are invited to sign up to help with tech and thus join Acme Theatre Company!  All Acme actors are required to work on three tech crews. 

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The tech crews include:

• Set Construction:  

  • This crew learns about set design, set construction and carpentry skills, and woodshop safety.  Crew members may be trained to operate tools such as chop saw, table saw, jig saw, drills and basic scenic painting techniques. This crew meets on Saturday mornings in Nov, Dec, April and May, and during weekday afternoons in June and July.  Close-toed shoes are required and paint clothes are recommended.

• Costumes:

  • ​This crew works with the costume designer to borrow, purchase or build costume pieces for the show.  Tasks may include taking actor measurements, thrift store shopping, visiting costume rental shops, buying fabric & patterns, cutting out patterns, sewing clothing, hemming and basic alterations.  This crew is also responsible for designing hair and make-up for each actor, purchasing supplies, and working with each actor to execute their hair and makeup. 

• Props:

  • ​This crew works with the Props Designer to find, borrow, rent or build the props for a production.  A prop is anything an actor carries on stage - magic wands, swords, frying pans, letters, pitch forks, dogs, snakes, lanterns are all examples of props. Sometimes the props crew is also responsible for furniture.

• Lights:

  • This crew works with the Lighting Designer to hang, focus, cable and gel lighting instruments.  Some tasks may involve going up high on ladders, in a genie lift, or into the catwalks.

• Sound:  

  • This crew works with the sound designer to find or create & record music and sound effects.

• Stage Management:

  • Assistant Stage Managers (or ASMs) attend rehearsals and stand in for missing actors by reading their lines, learn their blocking (movement on the stage). They help the Stage Manager with tasks such as: help set up/clean up rehearsal space, take attendance, write down actor blocking (movement), run lines with actors, write down line notes, write down tech notes, manage rehearsals props and send texts as needed to company members.

• Publicity:

  • This crew works with the Publicity Designer to invite the world to come see our plays!  Tasks may include drafting emails, press released and social media posts, setting up and staffing booths at community events, emailing local high school teachers, putting up posters throughout Davis, Winters, Woodland and West Sac, and designing posters.

• Ushers:

  • This crew is responsible for welcoming the audience into the performance space, providing a pleasant and professional experience, and tending to audience access needs and safety.  Tasks may include selling and taking tickets, handing out programs, answering audience questions, escorting audience members into the theatre during a scene change, assisting with audience evacuation during emergencies, baking and selling cookies, selling Acme merchandise and raffle tickets.

• Run Crew:

  • During the final technical rehearsals and performances, individuals support the technical elements of the play by serving in the following roles:

    • Light Board Operator: Operate the light board during technical rehearsals and performances. Follows cues from the Stage Manager. Works with the Lighting Designer to adjust the programming, if needed.

    • Sound Board Operator: Operate the sound board during technical rehearsals and performances. Follows cues from the Stage Manager. Works with the Sound Designer to adjust the programming, if needed.

    • Mic Dresser: Help actors get their microphones on and off.  Place and tape mics. Replace batteries when needed.  Is backstage during the show to handles mic emergencies.

    • Run Crew: Move set pieces during rehearsals and performances.  Must be able to be quiet backstage, able to lift objects, calm under pressure and into wearing black clothes and being stealthy.

    • Dressers: Help actors with their costume quick-changes.  Must be respectful, focused, calm under pressure and respectful of other people’s bodies.

 

Each play has slightly different needs and additional jobs may be available for a specific production. 
 

Can you accommodate my access needs?

We will do our very best!  Everyone has different abilities and interests.  And one of the cool things about theatre is that there are lots of different jobs that each require different skills. We would love to chat with you to find out how we can best support your theatre learning experience!  Contact our Stage Manager at stagemanager@acmetheatre.net.

I’m super busy. Is there a small project I can participate in?

ABSOLUTELY!  Come help us build a play in a week!  This year, Acme will produce two stage readings - performances where the actors carry scripts and tell the story using very simple technical elements.

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Ms. Holmes & Ms Watson -- Apt 2B, By Kate Hamill

TECH WORK: Sunday, Sept 29 - Sunday, Oct 6. Weekend afternoons 1-5pm & weekday evenings 6-8:30pm.

SHOW: 4:00pm, Sunday, Oct 6

 

Emilia, By Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

TECH WORK: Sunday, Feb 9 - Sunday, Feb 16. Weekend afternoons 1-5pm & weekday evenings 6-8:30pm.

SHOW: 4:00pm, Sunday, Feb 16

 

For each staged reading, we are looking for up to six volunteers to work with us for a week and serve in the following roles:

 

● Assistant Light Designer

● Assistant Sound Designer

● Assistant Stage Manager

● Assistant Set Designer

● Assistant Costume Designer

● Assistant House Manager

 

Each assistant will work with an Acme student designer and our director to bring a script to life!

 

Can't do a whole week of theatre? Sign up to be an usher, spend the afternoon with us, plus see a show for free!

How can I find out more?

Contact our Stage Manager at stagemanager@acmetheatre.net let us know what interests you, and what your questions are!  You are also invited to attend our open houses at the start of each production so that you can meet the company leaders, find out more about the technical needs of that production, and discuss how you can collaborate with us!

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
4-6pm, Monday, Oct 21
Davis Arts Center, 1919 F St, Davis Ca

 

Much Ado About Nothing
4 -6pm, Monday, March 17
Davis Community Church (North Lawn), Corner of 5th & C St

 

Metamorphoses
4-6pm, Friday, June 6
Davis Community Church (North Lawn), Corner of 5th & C St