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Technical Theater

Entry Level Assessment Blueprint

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Understanding Technical Theater

  • Perform the duties associated with broad content in technical theater
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the sequence of stage production
  • Understand and apply the basic mathematical concepts that apply to technical theater duties
  • Understand and observe all safety procedures required in technical theater

Costuming/Make-up and Hair

  • Perform basic hand and machine stitching
  • Take measurements and perform fittings
  • Label costumes, accessories and shoes
  • Organize accessory bags and wardrobe racks
  • Set-up and organize a quick change booth
  • Apply/create a character make-up design for three to five actors for a performance
  • Use basic make-up techniques in performance
  • Identify and use costume and make-up resources including shops and suppliers
  • Create a list of the range of fabric and appropriate applications for use for costume construction
  • Perform basic costume maintenance including laundry and repairs
  • Prepare a wardrobe plot for each character in a script
  • List the basic hair and wig requirements for a show from an examination of the script
  • Create and use budgets for costume, make-up, and hair expenditures

Scenic and Prop Construction

  • Identify the common components of scenery construction
  • Build standard scenery including platform, bracking, flat, and rails
  • Measure and work in scale from a ground plan or working drawing
  • Read construction plans (e.g., elevations and ground plans)
  • Create technical drawings
  • Create a cut list for scenic constructions
  • Lay out the set placement on stage
  • Spike scenic units in the performance space
  • Use bearing loads in platform construction
  • Scenic painting materials, methods, and processes
  • Use basic shop math for measuring
  • Follow and enforce all safety procedures required in carpentry work
  • Create and use scenic budgets
  • Use basic theater rigging techniques and rigging theory

Electrics

  • Identify the basic types and components of lighting instruments
  • Hang and focus lighting equipment
  • Change lamps and gels in standard lighting equipment
  • Circuit and patch lighting equipment
  • Read lighting plots and lighting paperwork
  • Use lighting equipment templates to draw lighting symbols on a hang plot
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic color temperature and color theory
  • Identify electrics rigging and lighting positions in the theater
  • Operate/program/maintain lighting equipment including spotlights, light boards, etc.
  • Use math and basic electrical formulas for stage electricians
  • Follow and enforce all safety procedures required in electrics work
  • Create and use electrics budget

Properties

  • Create properties paperwork and running sheets from an existing script
  • Lay out and label a prop table
  • Construct and repair basic props using a variety of materials and skills
  • Identify techniques for constructing props including paper mache, foam, and other materials
  • Demonstrate knowledge of prop safety construction and use
  • Create and use properties budget

Running Crews

  • Follow cues from headset and cue lights
  • Read cue sheets and run show accordingly
  • Understand and use rigging systems and operations
  • Discuss and outline the roles of various crew positions
  • Strike organization and recycling
  • Outline in discussion or writing the procedures for deck safety
  • Walk the stage area to trouble shoot for safety issues

Stage Management

  • Create a timeline and flow chart to demonstrate the rehearsal and production process
  • Create a prompt book to be used in the production of a theater event
  • Create call sheets and scene breakdown paperwork to be used in the production of a theater event
  • Direct the various crews in running rehearsals and performances
  • Create prop running paperwork in conjunction with the prop crew
  • Generate rehearsal and show reports
  • Demonstrate knowledge of communication methods for serving as the liaison
  • Generate rehearsal schedules in conjunction with the director
  • Create and stock a basic stage management kit
  • Tape out a rehearsal room by reading drawings and ground plans
  • Supervise the deck crew in glow taping stage set and set-up of safety lights
  • Organize and run an audition
  • Run a dry technical rehearsal
  • Create and use production budgets

Sound

  • Analyze script to create a cue list for sound
  • Identify common sound equipment and components
  • Microphone technique and positioning
  • Assemble sound system to enhance appropriate sound mix and balance
  • Use and edit sound software
  • Comply with sound safety issues
  • Calculate sound budget
  • Perform signal math using sound theory

Written Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours
Number of Questions: 229

Areas Covered:

6% Understanding Technical Theater
21% Costuming/Make-up and Hair
19% Scenic and Prop Construction
16% Electrics
6% Properties
13% Running Crews
8% Stage Management
11% Sound

Sample Questions:

Which of the following stage configurations has an audience on three sides?

  1. Thrust
  2. Proscenuim
  3. In the round
  4. Amphitheater

Where is the proper place to measure the size of head?

  1. Right above the eyebrows
  2. Around the head just above the ears
  3. Around the head over the ears
  4. From the hairline of the forehead to the name of the neck

Stairs that run from the stage into the wings are called

  1. Escape stairs
  2. Firs stairs
  3. Grand staircases
  4. Blank stairs

Gel colors are usually described as

  1. Hot or cold
  2. Tint or shade
  3. Warmor cool
  4. Soft or loud

Stage safety suggests that hard hats are to be worn by the

  1. Audio crew
  2. Stage managers
  3. Rigging crew
  4. Running crew

Performance Assessment:

Number of Jobs: 6

Areas Covered:

Costume Performance Assessment
Administration Time: 3 hours
Number of Jobs: 1
Job Description: Pattern and sew an apron
Make-up and Hair Performance Assessment
Administration Time: 2 hours
Number of Jobs: 1
Job Description: Make-up and hair for a period styling
Construction Performance Assessment
Administration Time: 2 hours
Number of Jobs: 1
Job Description: Construct a 2’x4’ fabric covered theatrical style flat
Electrics Performance Assessment
Administration Time: 2 hours
Number of Jobs: 1
Job Description: Setup, hang, cable and focus three unit light plot
Sound Performance Assessment
Administration Time: 2 hours
Number of Jobs: 1
Job Description: Setup sound system
Stage Management Performance Assessment
Number of Jobs: 2
Job One Description: Tape out a ground plan
Administration Time: 1 hour
Job Two Description: Create a mini-prompt book with blocking and cue annotation
Administration Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes