Theatre Arts
Technical Theatre Unit
Stock Scenery
Anything built by a theatre company that
can be used in multiple productions
 After strike the stock scenery is put in
storage to be pulled out for future
productions
 Three types to know. . .

 Platform
 Stair unit
 Flat
Platform
Flat
Walls in the theatre
2 kinds depending on the
type of face
1) Hard or “Hollywood” flats
mean the face is wood
(luan). This is the kind
South High uses
2) Soft flats mean the face
is cloth (muslin). We do not
use this kind at South but
many touring companies
do.
Stair Unit
Set Design
Scenic designer works with the director
and technical director to develop the set
 Long process involving sketches, scale
models, renderings, paint elevations,
and scale construction drawings
 Set is the first thing the audience sees
and it needs to give the audience
information about the setting, mood, and
tone of the production

Set Design

Scenic Designer must keep a few ideas
in mind:
 Director’s artistic vision
 Needs/wants of the director and the script
 Physical space
 Budget
 Costumes
Set Personnel
Scenic Designer – develops the design
for the set
 Master Carpenter – builds the set and
supervises the crew members helping
build
 Paint Charge – paints the set and
supervises crew members assisting
 Running Crew – crew members that
change different aspects of the scenery
during the run of a show

Set Design

The Purpose of Scenic Design
 Helps the audience to understand the world
of the play
 Reinforces the production visually
 Aids the actor in completing actions
Realism

Design is meant to make the characters and
situations seem “real”, a “slice of life”.
Simplified Realism
• This is one step removed from realistic style. The setting is
basically realistic in concept, but the designer has been more
selective in choosing the elements for the setting, eliminating
all items not having a direct bearing on the play.
Formalism
 This term is usually considered to define a rather neutral form
of setting composed primarily of steps, levels, platforms,
columns, and other architectural forms. Used primarily in
presentational style productions and classical plays.
Stylism
 All-inclusive term which can be used to refer to any scenery
that makes no attempt to be realistic but exaggerates,
simplifies, or distorts realistic forms in order to enhance the
presentation of the play. Usually used in fantasies, musical
comedy, expressionistic plays, and farce.
Stylism at South

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Types of Make-up
Liquid make-up
•Used when precision is
necessary
Cream make-up
•Used when colors need to
be bright and/or when
colors need to be blended
•Stays good for about 6-9
months
• Example: sharp lines or
wrinkles
•Very
easily contaminated
• Usable for about 2-3
months
Types of Make-up

•
•
Powder Make-up
Used when large
areas need to be
covered or when
blending is
necessary
Lasts the longest –
about 9-12 months
Make-up Vocabulary
Translucent Powder
• “Sets” the makeup after
application
Foundation
• Base for the actor’s skin
• Covers or “removes”
imperfections
• Generally needs to
match the actor’s skin
tone
Make-up Vocabulary
Spirit Gum
• “Glue” for make-up
• Allows make-up artist to
“stick” things to the
actor’s face
• Examples: fake beard or
prosthetics
Color Wheel
• Device used by make-up
artists
• Multiple colors in one
container – keeps make-up
artists from having to buy a
ton of individual colors
Make-up Vocabulary
Nose and Scar Wax
• Allows make-up artist to
“build” a special effect
• Often used to create a fake
nose or scar but could be
used for other things
(example: warts, bump on
the head, et cetera)
Make-up Applicators
• Stipple Sponge – places
small dots of make-up
over an area; creates 5
o’clock shadow
• Powder Puff – applies
powder
• Brushes – used for
various types of make-up
applications
•Make-up Sponge – used
to apply foundations and
creams
Make-up Cleansers

Brush – cleans make-up brushes

Hydra – deep cleans skin

Quick – used to wipe off make-up
quickly
Stage
Blood
•
Used to create
fake, blood effects
on stage
• 3 types
• “Fresh Scab”
• Liquid
• Thick
 Prosthetics
 Fake body parts
 Sealers
 Also known as
LiquiSet
 “Sets” the make-up
for actors that sweat
heavily
and/or effects “glued”
to an actor using
Spirit Gum
 Examples: bald cap,
fake nose, bullet
wounds, et cetera
Styles of Make-up Design
Moulage/SFX – “gore” make-up
 Casualty simulation
 Examples:

Styles of Make-up Design
Stylized/SFX – Commonly used in
fantasy designs and/or when an actor
needs to look like an animal or nonhuman object
 Shows: CATS or Beauty and the Beast
 Examples:

Styles of Make-up Design
Period – make-up used to help re-create
a specific time period
 Used to show the 1920’s, 1960’s, or the
Restoration period
 Examples:

Styles of Make-up Design
Old Age – used when actors need to
look older
 Examples:

Styles of Make-up Design
Corrective – make-up used to correct an
actor’s natural features
 Most common
 Why? – resize a nose, make eyes
appear bigger, et cetera
 Example:

Make-up Personnel
Make-up Designer – create make-up
design for each character; works with
director to ensure artistic vision is fulfilled
 Make-up Manager– create the make-up
designs for each actor; apply make-up
themselves OR teach actors how to do it;
oversees the make-up artists
 Make-up Artists – assist the make-up
manager
 Hairstylists – usually only used when
special hair designs are necessary; create
hair styles for actors

Make-up Application Steps
Wash your face and hands
 Apply foundation
 Apply “style” of make-up
 Apply translucent powder
 Perform
 Use cleanser

Make-up and Hair Design
Make-up Designer needs to work with
director and costume mistress to ensure
the designs reflect the artistic vision of
the show
 Use drawings to show ideas
 Things to keep in mind:





Director’s artistic vision
Costume designs
Budget
Time period
Costume Vocabulary
Fitting
• Costume pieces are
placed on each actor and
then adjusted to find the
proper fit
• Pins are put in place so
the crew members can
make alterations later
Parade
• All actors go on stage
together and show the
director their costumes
under stage light
Costume Vocabulary
Rendering – drawing of the proposed costume (full color)
Swatch – small piece of fabric attached to a rendering
Costume Personnel






Costume Designer – works with the director
and make-up designer to ensure the artistic
vision is fulfilled; designs all costumes for each
actor
Seamstress – sews or stitches fabric
Draper/Cutter – creates patterns and cuts
material
Millinery – makes hats
Wardrobe Mistress – maintains costumes
during a production; oversees costume crew
Dresser – member of costume crew; assists
actors with costume changes
Costume Terms
Wardrobe Plot – chart that tells actors
what costumes to wear and when to
wear them; posted backstage for all
actors to see
 Accessories – help complete an outfit

 Examples: jewelry, hats, et cetera

Distress – the process of making new
clothing look older
Costume Types
Unique – costumes that show an
occupation or “type” of character
 Examples: policeman, cheerleader, and
wedding dress

Costume Types
Period – used when a specific time
period is being conveyed
 Examples:

Costume Types
Stylized – used in fantasy or when an
actor needs to look like an animal or a
non-human object
 Examples:
