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Tech theatre advice?

How do I get involved in the technical theatre business?

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Lexie’s Answer

Hi Jake!

A really great way to begin a career in technical theater is getting involved in local community theater. For me, I was lucky that my high school offered great opportunities to try out different aspects of tech theater - do I enjoy doing set design? What about lighting design? Do I prefer to not be involved in that creative process and enjoy working hands-on as stage crew? These are just some questions to consider. I

My best advice would be to start by looking into the local community theater near you! You'd be surprised how often the local community needs assistance with both in house and traveling performances. The local community theater that I grew up with was very welcoming and willing to teach people the little ins-and-outs.

For Orlando specifically, I have had former classmates enjoy their time with the following playhouse -
website: https://www.theatresouthplayhouse.org/

There's a dropdown menu to the right side of the website that mentions working with them. Once you find a local home, you are able to build a reputation and typically make more connections through friendships/mentorships.
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Trevor’s Answer

Check out this article: https://www.reddit.com/r/techtheatre/comments/tt3m67/how_did_you_start_outget_into_technical_theatre/
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Marcelius Levites’s Answer

Hey Jake, check out these websites to find more information about your question:

Youth Technical Theatre Opportunities
-https://www.stagestheatre.org/technical-theatre-opportunities/

Orlando, Florida Theatre Jobs
-https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/technical-theatre-jobs-orlando-fl/?currentJobId=3596898069

Glassdoor
-https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/orlando-technical-theatre-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,7_IC1154247_KO8,25.htm

Finding Theater Apprenticeships
-https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/how-to-find-theater-apprenticeship/

Top 10 Tips for Starting a Theatre Career
-https://getintotheatre.org/blog/the-best-10-tips-on-how-to-start-a-career-in-the-theatre-industry

I hope this helps you.
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Nikki’s Answer

After High School go to college. Community theatres can be very good, but they are not a place to learn. If you want a serious career in theatre you have to learn all areas. And the best way to do that is to study with the best. Aim for Yale, Carnegie Mellon, UCLA, Northwester,, Columbia, Duke etc. Some student spend 2 years in community college and then transfer.

During a summer between semesters do an apprenticeship in summer stock where you'll be able to work in all areas, then go back to college where you will form life-time relationships that will help you throughout your career.

After college apply for an internship at a regional theatre. And after a season you'll know what direction you want to take, and when you do, apply to the union that covers that area, U.S.A.,, AEA, IATSE, etc.

The best advice I can give you is to learn from the best and you'll be the best.

I've spent 60 years working in theatre starting as a prop designer, then lighting designer and stage manager, and even an assistant to a broad sword master!, and for the last 40 years as a playwright (who's able to put lighting, prop, costume, and even fight scene notes into my scripts).
Theatre is fun, exciting and hard work, but it's the most rewarding work you'll ever find.
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Elliot’s Answer

I agree with the above advice: find some local theatres near you and volunteer to help them out. You can go in and mention you are interested in learning the technical aspects of theatre productions and see if you can find someone who might mentor you and teach you some lighting and sound processes. You might also find internships available. Good luck!
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