Stagecraft 101 Curriculum

[Chris]

Hello - long time, no post.

I've recently been tasked by my employer to work with the local school
board to create a stagecraft curriculum for their vocational technical
schools. The goal is that at the end of the program, the students
will be read to work load-in calls at any venue in the area. We want
to included a unit on staging, rigging, lighting and very basic
sound.

I'd love some input from the group; I know that some of you may
already have such a program in place, and others might be teaching at
the college level.

Any input is appreciated.

Best regards,
Chris Jahn
Production Supervisor
Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

[Denny Strauser]

I wish you all the best. I live in Pittsburgh, PA .. and have had over a
dozen interns working for college credits. Most of them have been a
waste of my time. Only one has excelled. Only two more have I hired for
part-time free-lance work.

One theater I worked at was a in predominately African-American
neighborhood. I suggested they institute an intern program for aspiring
black youth. I am white. And, I only know one black professional
soundman & one professional lighting director in this fine city. But my
suggestion was never considered.

The administration of this theatre was African-American. What can I say
beyond this?

GOOD LUCK!
- Denny

[Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting]

Denny Strauser wrote:

> I live in Pittsburgh, PA .. and have had over a
> dozen interns working for college credits. Most of them have been a
> waste of my time. Only one has excelled. Only two more have I hired for
> part-time free-lance work.

*** Sorry to hear this. Here in the Halifax, NS area, many of the
schools from elementary through high school concentrate on the arts. As
such, they have tech students that love to work school productions --
often for free. I work with dozens of these students every school year and
most are dedicated, go-getters. If they are not in class, I know several
off the top of my head that would take paying work in a theatre without
hesitation. In fact, just this past month, I had one girl ask for tech
work this summer.

When these students reach college/university, those schools have eager
tech crews already trained in the basics from grade school. As such, I
can't see a shortage in this area -- and the greater Halifax population
is only 300,000.

> One theater I worked at was a in predominately African-American
> neighborhood. I suggested they institute an intern program for aspiring
> black youth. I am white. And, I only know one black professional
> soundman & one professional lighting director in this fine city. But my
> suggestion was never considered.

> The administration of this theatre was African-American. What can I say
> beyond this?
>

> - Denny

*** Sorry to hear this, too. How can any theatre turn down training
for future personnel? I wonder if it was a budget problem, or is it
simply that none of the area students are interested in tech.

--
Richard Bonner
http://AIEL.chebucto.biz/

[Denny Strauser]

On 5/31/2012 8:30 AM, Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting wrote:
> Denny Strauser wrote:
>
>> I live in Pittsburgh, PA .. and have had over a
>> dozen interns working for college credits. Most of them have been a
>> waste of my time. Only one has excelled. Only two more have I hired for
>> part-time free-lance work.
>
> *** Sorry to hear this. Here in the Halifax, NS area, many of the
> schools from elementary through high school concentrate on the arts. As
> such, they have tech students that love to work school productions --
> often for free. I work with dozens of these students every school year and
> most are dedicated, go-getters. If they are not in class, I know several
> off the top of my head that would take paying work in a theatre without
> hesitation. In fact, just this past month, I had one girl ask for tech
> work this summer.
>
> When these students reach college/university, those schools have eager
> tech crews already trained in the basics from grade school. As such, I
> can't see a shortage in this area -- and the greater Halifax population
> is only 300,000.
>
>
>> One theater I worked at was a in predominately African-American
>> neighborhood. I suggested they institute an intern program for aspiring
>> black youth. I am white. And, I only know one black professional

>> soundman& one professional lighting director in this fine city. But my

>> suggestion was never considered.
>
>> The administration of this theatre was African-American. What can I say
>> beyond this?
>>
>> - Denny
>
> *** Sorry to hear this, too. How can any theatre turn down training
> for future personnel? I wonder if it was a budget problem, or is it
> simply that none of the area students are interested in tech.

BTW, I have worked with an actor with some impressive credits. He has
run youth programs in Albany, NY ... & Blacksburg, VA. This year, he has
been offered a teaching position at University Of Pittsburgh (where I
live). His facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/michael.a.williams.71

Contact him & drop my name. He is quite experienced.

- Denny