Lesson 1Understanding small proscenium and black box stages (dimensions, sightlines, apron, wings)Get to know the layout and terms for small proscenium and black box stages common in our venues. Learn about dimensions, sightlines, and how aprons, wings, and grid height influence blocking, scenery, and technical spots.
Stage parts: apron, wings, upstage wallMeasuring stage width, depth, and heightSightline studies and masking positionsBlack box flexible seating and stagingPlacing booms, pipes, and tech positionsLesson 2Lighting control surfaces: simple boards and software, fixture addressing, and scene storageLook into lighting control surfaces from basic boards to software controllers used locally. Learn fixture addressing, patching, and recording, editing, recalling looks and cues for steady shows.
Two-scene preset and memory board layoutsSoftware controllers and USB-DMX donglesAddressing and patching fixtures to channelsRecording and updating looks and cuesBacking up and labeling show filesLesson 3Basic lighting equipment: Fresnels, PARs, ellipsoidals (lekos), LED fixtures, and practicalsThis part introduces common theatre lighting tools and their roles. See how Fresnels, PARs, ellipsoidals, LEDs, and practicals shape beam quality, colour, and stage coverage in our setups.
Fresnels: soft-edged washes and focus rangePAR cans: punchy beams and lens choicesEllipsoidals: shutters, gobos, and focusLED fixtures: color mixing and dimmingPracticals and motivated stage lightingLesson 4Basic sound equipment: mixers, active/passive speakers, stage monitors, DI boxesThis part covers core sound gear: mixers, speakers, monitors, and DI boxes. Learn basic signal flow from source to speaker and setting up small systems for clear, balanced sound.
Analog vs digital mixers and key controlsActive vs passive speakers and amplifiersStage monitor placement and gain structureUsing DI boxes for instruments and laptopsBasic signal flow from mic to loudspeakerLesson 5Basic playback devices and signal sources: laptop, phone, tablet, audio interface, and USB/aux connectionsLearn how everyday playback devices feed theatre audio systems. This explains laptops, phones, tablets, audio interfaces, and clean connections using USB, aux, and digital outputs.
Choosing devices for reliable playbackConfiguring laptop audio settings for showsUsing phones and tablets with adaptersAudio interfaces, drivers, and sample ratesUSB, aux, and DI connections to the mixerLesson 6Dimmers, DMX, and power: how dimmers work, patching, circuits, and basic safetyUnderstand how dimmers, DMX control, and power work to run stage lighting. Learn patching ideas, circuit loading, and key electrical safety for small theatre systems.
How dimmers modulate voltage to fixturesDMX addressing, universes, and channelsSoft patch vs hard patch in small venuesCircuit capacity, loads, and breaker limitsGrounding, overcurrent, and safe practicesLesson 7Essential cabling and connectors: XLR, TRS, Speakon, DMX512, IEC, and safe cable management practicesThis covers key audio, power, and control cables in small venues. Learn connector types, signal direction, labelling, and safe management to cut noise, damage, and trip risks.
Balanced vs unbalanced audio cablingXLR, TRS, Speakon, and RCA connectorsDMX512 data cabling and termination basicsIEC and power strips for stage equipmentTaping, routing, and labeling cable runsLesson 8Audience layout and actor blocking basics for a 200-seat houseLearn how audience setup, sightlines, and actor blocking fit in a 200-seat venue. Build skills for planning entrances, focus, and movement that aid clear stories and technical reach.
Reading a basic seating chart and capacitySightlines, viewing angles, and obstructionsActor zones: downstage, upstage, and centerBlocking for focus, balance, and compositionCoordinating blocking with sound and lightLesson 9Microphone types and mounts: lavalier, headset, handheld, boundary, shotgun, and placement considerationsExplore common mic types and mounts in theatre, focusing on pickup patterns, handling noise, and visibility. Learn choosing, mounting, placing mics for clear stage reinforcement.
Dynamic vs condenser microphones in theaterLavalier mounting on costumes and hairlinesHeadset mic fitting, boom length, and stabilityHandheld mic technique and stand placementBoundary and shotgun mics for stage pickup
