What is Technical Theatre?

Lighting
The visual images created on stage are an integral part of any live performance.
The Lighting Designer is an essential member of the creative team and by the use of colour, direction and texture of light, can change the environment of the performance space. In order to do this, the Lighting Designer must have an awareness of how text and movement are used in the performing arts to tell a story and how lighting can contribute to emotion.

To be able to fulfil this creative role, the Lighting Designer needs to have knowledge of the technical tools that help manipulate light. So, as a student you will learn about the different types of stage lantern, moving lights, electrical props and pyrotechnics. You will develop your creative ideas practising with colour and direction of light by using our mini-rig, which can accommodate a 1:5 also, the use of digital projection in performance has increase in recent years and students will learn how to use this technology to create still or moving images on stage.

Mountview offers a hands on approach to the training which guides students though the technical processes that are needed to create a lighting design and gain the confidence to light a production for the Academy’s public performances in a variety of venues.

Design
Design offers a wealth of opportunities for creative individuals to apply, extend and develop their abilities in order to provide flexible career routes within a range of industries. Some students want to become Designers, whilst others are interested in prop making or costume career.

Whatever your interest, the aim is to give students core practical skills in order that individuals can become professionally competent with the component areas: CAD and technical drawing, costume design and wardrobe production skills, scene painting and scenic prop making.

You will, for example, learn facial life casting and mask making, or realisation of architectural perspective on canvas. Related areas of project research underpin all this. At Mountview, the students design shows for our many public productions and have their designs realised by the construction department. For those not wishing to become a Designer he or she can work as a Scenic Artist or Scenic Propmaker, or realise set elements for a professional production company.

Sound
The Sound Designer has an important role within the creative team as the manipulation of sounds create moods and atmospheres that enhance the performance. Amplification is another part of sound design requiring an awareness of the human voice, its vocal ranges as well as all orchestral instruments and their different sounds.

You learn how to create sound effects in the studio using computer based editing and by utilising script analysis will gain a creative approach to your work. You will also work on the public performances either as Sound Designer or Sound Operator, gaining a practical understanding of reinforcement and how this enhances the sound quality of a production.

StageManagement
Stage Managers play an integral role in the creation and running of a production – be it a play, musical or dance. The stage management team is involved from the first day of any new production and it is their job to help make the creative team’s ideas a reality.

Duties are varied and can include running rehearsals, props, making and buying, managing the budget, preparing the venue and running the show. The Stage Manager is the main point of contact for all departments and is responsible for the smooth

and constant flow of communication between the team. It is a demanding but highly rewarding role, which requires good communication, organisation and leadership skills.

Stage Managers work closely with a wide range of artistic and technical theatre<