The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to stagecraft:
Stagecraft – technical aspect of theatrical, film, and video production. Stagecraft is distinct from the wider scope of scenography. Considered a technical rather than an artistic field, it relates primarily to the practical implementation of a designer's artistic vision.
Essence of stagecraft
- Cue (theatrical)
- Curtain Call
- Rehearsal
- Stage
- Theatrical constraints
- Theatrical superstitions
- Technical rehearsal
- Technical week
- Performance
Branches of stagecraft
Lighting
Lighting design Lighting involves the process of determining the size, intensity, shape, and color of light for a given scene. Typical work includes hanging, focusing, procurement and maintenance of fixtures as well as some aspects of show control.
- Electrician (theatre)
- Color temperature
- Intelligent lighting - LED stage lighting - Light plot - Stage lighting - Stage lighting instrument - Stage lighting accessories
Audio
Sound design Sound, which can include musical underscoring, vocal and instrument mixing as well as theatrical sound effects.
Carpentry
set construction Carpentry is the process of building scenery, which can include scenic painting and soft goods (drapes and stage curtains). Scenic carpentry also covers mechanics: the design, engineering and operation of Fly system scenery or flying of performers and mechanised scenic elements.
Scenery wagon - show control - Theatrical scenery
Props
Theatrical property Props, which includes furnishings, set dressings, and all items large and small which cannot be classified as scenery, electrics or wardrobe. Some crossover may apply. Props handled by actors are known as hand props, and props which are kept in an actor's costume are known as personal props.
Costumes
costume construction Costuming, known as the Wardrobe department, is responsible for costume design, construction and the procurement and maintenance of costumes.
Positions in Stagecraft
Management
- Stage management
- Technical director
- Production management (theatre)
- House management
- Company management
Technical
- Carpenter (theatre)
- Electrician (theatre)
- Fly crew
- Property master
- Pyrotechnician
- Running crew
- Spotlight operator
- Stagehand
- Theatrical Technician
- Technical crew
- Wardrobe supervisor
Design
Stagecraft organizations
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
- PLASA
- United Scenic Artists
- United States Institute for Theatre Technology
History of stagecraft
General stagecraft concepts
Terminology
- Bobbinet - McCandless method - Spike (stagecraft) - Tannoy
- Theatrical production
- Film production
- Video production
Important technology
- ACN - C-Clamp (stagecraft) - Color gel - Color scroller - Dimmer - DMX512
- Fog machine - Followspot - Footlight - Gobo (lighting) - Haze machine - Parabolic aluminized reflector light - Safety curtain - XLR connector
Venues
Persons influential in the field of stagecraft
- Dale Ferguson - Designer
- Neil Peter Jampolis - Lighting and Set
- Samuel James Hume - Organizer of the first exhibition of stagecraft in the United States.
Costume Designers
Lighting Designers
- Andrew Bridge - Howell Binkley - Luc Lafortune - Mark Henderson - Nigel Levings - Paul Gallo - Richard Riddell - Tharon Musser
Set Designers
Sound Designers
Technical Directors
Awards
- Dora Mavor Moore Award
- TEC Awards
- Tony Award for Best Stage Technician
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Set Designer
Stagecraft lists
References