This is a work in progress.
Week 1: Welcome to Tech Theater
What is technical theater? Overview of all tech areas
Tour of the stage, shop, lighting booth, props/costume rooms
Job roles: stage manager, crew chief, lighting tech, sound tech, set crew, props, costumes, etc.
Expectations: teamwork, professionalism, communication
Week 2: Safety Training
Shop safety: tools, materials, ladders, paints
Stage safety: backstage rules, spike marks, cables, headset etiquette
Simple tool intro: screw guns, hand tools, tape measures
Safety quiz + demonstration check-off
Week 3: Scenic Design Basics
What makes a strong set?
Reading & creating simple ground plans
Scale drawings & model boxes (paper or digital)
Students design a simple scenic concept
Week 4: Construction Skills
Measuring, cutting, fastening basics
How flats, platforms, and levels are built
Painting techniques: base coat, dry brushing, texture
Build-and-paint mini projects
Week 5: Practical Build Week
Students build a small set piece or prop wall
Learn load-in and strike procedures
Group responsibilities rotate
Week 6: Lighting Design
Types of lights (spot, LED, PAR, ellipsoidal)
Hanging, focusing, and cabling basics (supervised)
Creating mood with color and angle
Students build a simple lighting cue stack
Week 7: Sound Design
Microphones: handheld, lavs, headsets
Sound board basics & troubleshooting
FX and underscore: how sound shapes the story
Students create a mini soundscape
Week 8: Cueing & Running a Scene
Practice cue calls (“Lights 3 GO”)
Students rotate roles: stage manager, light op, sound op
Run a short scene or skit using their cues
Week 9: Props & Costumes
Sourcing vs. building props
Prop tables, labeling, presets
Costume basics: pulls, repairs, quick changes
Hands-on mini-project: organize a prop table or create a prop item
Week 10: Stage Management
Blocking notation, script marking
Contact sheets, rehearsal reports
Prompt book basics
Students call a mock rehearsal
This is the heart of the class. If your school has a real show, use that. If not, students run a “mini one-act” production created in class.
Week 11: Pre-Production
Assign tech roles
Build schedule, calendars, and job lists
Pull or build necessary set/props/costumes
Week 12–13: Build + Rehearsal Support
Run tech rehearsals
Finalize lighting & sound cues
Finish scenic pieces, props, and organizational tasks
Crew checklists and preset practice
Week 14: Performance Week
Students run a mock show or real school performance
All cues run by students
Afterward: strike, restore, and post-show reflection
Week 15: Tech Portfolio
Students compile photos of projects
Write a reflection on skills learned
Showcase areas of interest: sets, lights, sound, props, management
Week 16: Final Evaluation & Celebration
Crew awards or superlativ
Discuss future opportunities (school productions, electives, etc.)
Class celebration + clean-up
Weekly crew jobs / rotating positions
Partnerships with drama teacher or school musical
Script analysis lessons
Guest speakers (local theater tech, lighting designer, etc.)
Field trip to a community theater