Technical Divisions

    Danny Creelman
    Mrs. Dunsten Hoover
    AP Language
    2nd October 2019

When one thinks of theater, their mind might often travel to dramatic monologues, massive dance numbers and final bows. However, there is much more to putting on a show than acting. Numerous technical aspects can be found in a show, from set pieces to costumes. While managing the technical aspects of a show might seem complicated at first, it can easily be split up into multiple categories. No one category is more important than the other, but some are more visible than others. 
The most noticeable technical aspect of the show is often the set. The set provides a backdrop for the show to take place in, as well as a place for the actors to interact and bring the show alive in. It is designed, built, and painted by the scenic crew. Designing a set takes time, for each piece often is made with thought for what the show is about. After the set is designed, it is then built and painted very carefully by the crew. The set is the largest technical piece in a show, acting as an anchor that other technical aspects depend on. 
While it does not hold the show together like the set, lighting is also very important in technical theater. All lights in a show are run by the Lighting Crew.  Aside from allowing the audience to see the show, lighting is used to set the mood, emphasize important events in the plot of a show, and bring new visual aspects into a production. This crew also has to work closely with other crews, making sure that everything in a show that needs to be seen can be seen by the audience. 
Costuming and Makeup bring characters on stage to life. Costumes provide a physical manifestation of a characters personality to the audience through textures, colors and designs from different time eras. A costume crew helps make these, by designing, making, and finding different parts of each costume. Makeup is also used to represent a character’s personality. It also adds definition to an actors face, which is important because stage lights can seemingly wash the face off of an actor. Both of these aspects give life to characters, transforming an actor into a whole new person. 
While they do not bring the show to life as much as other technical aspects, props still have a large part in putting on a show. An item that an actor handles or interacts with is taken care of by the props crew. This crew finds, makes, or fixes pieces that are going to be used in a show. Props can add an interesting, liveliness to the show, allowing the audience to feel more immersed in the story. 
Unlike every other aspect of technical theatre, Sound Design is often not visible. Sound plays a very large part in helping the audience immerse themselves into the world of the show. A Sound Crew is used to help play these sounds through the theater. They also are in charge of the microphones that the actors wear, so the audience can hear them. Sound Design can make a show interesting and truly immersive, as well as provide very practical solutions to problems. 
As one can see there is much more to putting on a show than acting. Technical Aspects make up a large part of theatre as a whole.

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