Teacher's Section

[thorin81]

This is just a wild idea - but I think this site could benefit from a section for the teachers who are in the community. A place to share lesson plans, discuss issues, and just bounce ideas around.

I know that the site doesn't currently have a focus on that, but I think it could bebefit from it. Let me know what your thoughts are. If you get the chance respond to my poll so I can see how many teachers, students, professionals and others are using this wonderful source!

Thanks All!

[dvsDave]

I would love to hear from other teachers about this idea. The most effective method of teaching technical theatre is still thru technical/drama teachers. What features/services/content would you like to see available for teachers?

[thorin81]

My students know relatively nothing. The previous teacher that I am replacing always brought outside help in to build all their sets. I am a lot more savvy when it comes to tech and I want to be able to teach these kids what they need to know and suceed in a college/professional setting. Basic flat, platform, and all around scenery building techniques are what I am looking for. Because my kids are so basic, I don't want to overwhelm them.
I do however need their help. If I am going to be building sets for the shows, I cannot do it on my own. That is why my students knowing the technical basics to get things done is very important. If I can feel confident enough to give them a project and walk away that would be great!! That is basically what I am looking for for the moment.

[thorin81]

I guess I should pose a question:

For those in college and professional setting, what would you like to see in new workers/students as far as technical skills. What base knowledge would you like your students/employees to have in order to work with you?

Those are the kinds of things that I want/need to be teaching these students so they can be ready to progress further with you all.

Thanks!!

[jumpjet]

As a teacher, I would like to see more on professional opportunities for my students. Internships, summer work, etc.

Also, perhaps some feedback from those who have started student chapters of local unions. As I recall someone on here has a student chapter of USITT.

[drawstuf99]

Though I'm a student, I'd like to comment as I have had quite a bad experience with taking tech theatre at my school this past year.

This teacher who I speak of that tought the class was hired this year (replacing some **** good directors we had - great at tech, acting, getting people involved and everything. Amazing folks...) and was also fired before the end of the year.

I'd like to confidence in my teacher in that they have had experience in the fields they teach and can are able to teach it. Sounds simple, right? Well, I didn't have that this year. It was basiclly all of us tech students (who all had done a few shows or been in the past teachers' classes) teaching each other. Our teacher gave us out-of-date crap books that didn't tell you more than "this is a fresnel spot" and gave you a old, faded crap picture of the instrument. He had NO experience in lighting design or being an electrician. OK, I get that most teachers - chances are - won't be an expert in everything there is out there, but I'd like to see them bring people in to teach (not do for us, teach us and be there with us for US to do them).

We had a parent who was an AMAZING designer (lighting) and she had done work on lots Julie Andrew's old tours and done lots of other stuff including lighting for some Universal Studios rides. She is very nice, but also professional and doesn't want to deal with people who aren't going to hold their end up. So, our teacher blew her off after she came to help us twice. This really ticked us off.

There was no more pro help during the year. We were giving him budget lists and what to buy. Yes, that can be good (from a serious perspective) and ARG! it can be so dang annoying aswell!! A teacher should give you creative license and listen to you (and even try your ideas), but also be there to answer your specific questions and if he/she cannot answer them for you - get someone who has experience to - AND NOT BLOW THEM OFF.

This is only one example of the horrid situations we've had this year (which ultimately led to us being able to get the teacher fired). And, this hasn't included the stories of lights not being safetied that he hung (under our request for him NOT to...lol), going up to our catwalk after he had focused and seen instruments literally inches away from falling off the bar (no safety), lights not plugged in all the way and just so happening to produce a quick electric arc and catch the cable on fire, the paint on the curtains, the terrible sets, the terrible casting, the new soundboard we're getting bc he blew 4 channels on the old one and screwed up some of the others beyond repair. Please, teachers, if you don't know the equipment, don't pretend you do. As cruel as that sounds, I'm very serious. I take tech pretty seriously (not that we don't have fun -- trust me, we do!) but having someone screwing up equipment (your TEACHER in fact!) is not a good thing in a student perspective.

It was very frustrating for the students who KNEW exactly how to do things around our space and what worked/didn't work and how to use equipment that the new teachers weren't listening to us. Please, listen to your students, and don't shoot them down as soon as they say something. It could be the stupidest thing you've ever heard, but listen actively and why they say what they say. Who knows, they could be right! But don't backdown from your judgement either. Just find a good balance, ya know?

Anyway, I love this idea, and I'd think it would be neat to see some student responses aswell. Great idea!!

[cutlunch]

This sounds good but I wonder if instead of just teachers it could include adults who do work at schools as well. In my case in the past I was a part-time theatre technician to two high schools. I have also done the lighting for two different high schools as well.

I believe I would be able to learn some good skills for teaching the students I work with. Also I believe that from a technical point of view those who work in the technical areas of schools would be able to contribute to some of the teachers knowledge. Especially where the teacher is a theatre newborn who has only taken on the job as no one else will and are keen to learn.

What do other people think.

[Peter]

As a college student who will be supervising other college students next year, I want to see kids who are willing to do things that they know how to do by themselves without direct supervision, but also, and more importantly, who are willing to ask questions when they dont know something or when their work needs to be checked.

[egorleski]

The way tech theatre is tought at my school is as follows:

Classes- There are two main tech classes. There is Tech 1-2 where students learn how to build things like flats and the like, learn about instruments and tools and the basics of how things work. Then there is tech 3-4 which is really a design class where set, lighting, and sound design are covered. Students in this class will assistant light design at least 3 dances and probably a play as well. The year after completion of tech 3-4 they will be lead light designer for at least 3 dances in our dance show and can design for other plays we do as well as being gaurenteed to design for our festival of short plays at the end of the year. Beyond this there is the option to do an independent study in either an area of design not previously covered such as costume design or to further study in an aspect of design, or to do a more hands on study of either a construction medium not worked with regularly or something along those lines.

Shows- The way shows work at our school is that the first 2 shows u work you cannot be a crew head. You must have worked on two shows or have completed tech 1-2 to be a head. This is to assure that at least the people watching know what they are doing. We are lucky that our program is strong and so there is a lot of knowledge passed on each year and so these student leaders usualy know what they are doing.

General Program- It is our tech directors perspective that the only way to learn how to do somthing is by doing it. There is a fine line between setting someone up to fail and letting them make mistakes. It makes no sense to take a kid that has never used a powertool or built somthing and give them a pile of wood and say "make a 6X6 flat." This would be setting someone up to fail. Our tech director believes though that with a basic knowledge set and an understanding of how things work you should be able to figure it out. A great example of this is when we did Medea. We needed to build a fountain and our tech director told us he didn't know much about fountains and actualy ended up getting surgury and couldn't even be there for much of the process. However well in advanced he bestowed the responsibility to kids who knew how to build things and had a good sense of construction to get the fountain done. And after reshearch and shurly some errors and fixing the fountain turned out great and everyone was better for the experiance!

Hope that helps

[audioslavematt]

Tech is taught differently at my school.

There are no tech classes so to speak. The only two theatre related classes are Theatre Arts I and II. They're more about acting and set construction. Occasionally, if somebody on crew is ambitious enough, there may be a lighting or sound unit taught.

During the first few weeks of school, we put up signs and advertise our tech class by word of mouth. We try to visit freshman study halls and talk to them at lunch. Sometimes the actors will help us out.

The techies-to-be come to class from 7-9 PM two times a week. It's taught by the facility manager, tech director, and the student staff. This will tell you something about the techies-in-training right from the start. If they come to every class, there's a good chance that they'll be committed in the long run.

The first night consists of a demonstration of some of the things we can do. We always try to include lots of pyros and moving lights. Freshmen like flashy things. Then the facility manager talks about general rules, becoming a Thespie, theatre/stagecraft slang, and, everybody's favorite, facility manager's pet peeves. This normally takes about an hour and for the second hour they all come around to lab stations.

The lab stations basically mirror Tech Olympics. I put a SM58 on a stand and let them make my ears bleed (note: no condensor mics for this, you will regret it). Lighting gaff tapes a shape on the wall to shutter around. There's also some one at the board to teach about color wheels and subs. The catwalk is manned and if you walk across the stage you will be followed by a FS or two. The facility manager usually mans the video console. The shop supervisor and TD get some drills and 2x4's out and let them try to put screws in straight. The riggers get hardware out to touch along with the various weights associated with different people of crew.

After the first night, each crew chief gets a night to teach before lab stations. This is when you can talk about the physics and where things are stored. I get one night to cover audio and video. The facility manager and ME get a night to discuss lighting design theory and instruments. The shop gets a night to talk about building techniques. Rigging and safety get two nights. The sixth session is the test. The written covers the theory and safety stuff, as well as a matching section to match staff members with their position.

The last session is used to go over the class rankings from the test and answer any questions. We try to have the last session coincide with a set construction session for the local community theatre. Then after the little end of the class party, they can put their new skills to work.

Each position has a crew chief and assistant. The crew chief is supposed to train his/her assistant and divide up the work evenly. Some people in certain positions have to do other things. For example, the electricians are in charge of getting gaff tape ordered, and it's my responsibility to maintain all ClearComm equipment. (For a full list of positions, see http://mchalepac.org/page5.html)

I like having positions opposed to a group of people with skills in everything. It allows us to learn more about our responsibilities and do more advanced things. It also helps those of us who plan to do this sort of work professionally get a head start. Is this the right or wrong way to do get a crew? It's a thirty year old system that has served us well.

Late, tired, probably not making sense...