Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Teaching Tech Theater Workshop

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tech_director
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Joined: 10/19/08
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Posts: 53

Topic: Teaching Tech Theater Workshop
Posted: 7/13/10 at 10:47pm

I've been asked to teach a tech theater workshop for several groups of summer camp kids. I have about an hour with each group, and the groups range in ages 7 to 13. Each group has approx. 18 kids. I'm looking for some ideas on what others may have done before. I've thought of most of the obvious things (showing models, light board, spotlights, gels, gobos, etc.) but I'm asking to see if anyone has any really creative ideas.

Edited by tech_director - 7/13/10 at 10:47pm

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posted: 7/14/10 at 12:31am

When I ran tachie workshops for the Stagecraft Guild, which I started in a previous life. I found going back to basic lotech aspects was always a winner, such as basic knots, how to hand roll cables boxing a stage area.
I'd split them into 3 or more groups & give each group [crew] about 15 minutes on one of the aspects in turn, on a rotary bases.
Also0 I would save time at the start by quickly going thru each of the subjects & then of course allow time at the end for an open Q&A session Or something simpler like how to make 'Thwakers' using an old used car tyre innertube & dowels. Which we reuse extensivly here in theatre.

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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MercyTech
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Posted: 7/14/10 at 3:26am

If you have the materials and tools, you can design and build a small simple set. For example, a doorway flat, window, platform and steps, and have them build it a bit at a time each class. I did this for a summer program, and the school incorporated the set into thier play at the end of the session.

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vickifrank
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Joined: 9/21/07
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Posted: 7/14/10 at 12:06pm

Set up a small puppet theater. Have them read through a 5 minute play, then divide the group. One designs costumes. One designs the set. Others act & direct, build set, run lights (flashlights).

A very small puppet theater can be made out of cardboard folded in a trifold. Cut the proscenium arch as a rectangle out of the top part of the cardboard. The theater ought to be big enough to accomodate 3 kid actors. Lighting guys can hold flashlights--gelled and gobo'd even-- on the side. Sets can be cutouts.

Kids can decorate the theater with crayons and poster paint.

_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

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FFootlighters
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Joined: 7/13/10
Location: United States
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Posted: 7/14/10 at 2:43pm

Design a backdrop. Grab a roll of butcher paper and roll out about 9-12 feet. Have the kids take a section and color/marker/paint create their own "backdrop."

I've also used butcher paper for quick costume activities. Each child lays on the paper and is outlined in black magic marker, then they have a life-size model of themselves to create a costume.

Edited by FFootlighters - 7/14/10 at 2:44pm

Fairfield Footlighters
Fairfield, OH
http://www.fairfield-footlighters.org

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Author	Message
tech_director Star Joined: 10/19/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 53	Topic: Teaching Tech Theater Workshop Posted: 7/13/10 at 10:47pm
	I've been asked to teach a tech theater workshop for several groups of summer camp kids. I have about an hour with each group, and the groups range in ages 7 to 13. Each group has approx. 18 kids. I'm looking for some ideas on what others may have done before. I've thought of most of the obvious things (showing models, light board, spotlights, gels, gobos, etc.) but I'm asking to see if anyone has any really creative ideas. Edited by tech_director - 7/13/10 at 10:47pm

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JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 7/14/10 at 12:31am
	When I ran tachie workshops for the Stagecraft Guild, which I started in a previous life. I found going back to basic lotech aspects was always a winner, such as basic knots, how to hand roll cables boxing a stage area. I'd split them into 3 or more groups & give each group [crew] about 15 minutes on one of the aspects in turn, on a rotary bases. Also0 I would save time at the start by quickly going thru each of the subjects & then of course allow time at the end for an open Q&A session Or something simpler like how to make 'Thwakers' using an old used car tyre innertube & dowels. Which we reuse extensivly here in theatre.
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

MercyTech Player Joined: 2/04/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 7/14/10 at 3:26am
	If you have the materials and tools, you can design and build a small simple set. For example, a doorway flat, window, platform and steps, and have them build it a bit at a time each class. I did this for a summer program, and the school incorporated the set into thier play at the end of the session.
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 7/14/10 at 12:06pm
	Set up a small puppet theater. Have them read through a 5 minute play, then divide the group. One designs costumes. One designs the set. Others act & direct, build set, run lights (flashlights). A very small puppet theater can be made out of cardboard folded in a trifold. Cut the proscenium arch as a rectangle out of the top part of the cardboard. The theater ought to be big enough to accomodate 3 kid actors. Lighting guys can hold flashlights--gelled and gobo'd even-- on the side. Sets can be cutouts. Kids can decorate the theater with crayons and poster paint.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
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FFootlighters Player Joined: 7/13/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Posted: 7/14/10 at 2:43pm
	Design a backdrop. Grab a roll of butcher paper and roll out about 9-12 feet. Have the kids take a section and color/marker/paint create their own "backdrop." I've also used butcher paper for quick costume activities. Each child lays on the paper and is outlined in black magic marker, then they have a life-size model of themselves to create a costume. Edited by FFootlighters - 7/14/10 at 2:44pm
	Fairfield Footlighters Fairfield, OH http://www.fairfield-footlighters.org
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Topic: Teaching Tech Theater Workshop( Topic Closed)