Lesson 1Understanding small proscenium and black box stages (dimensions, sightlines, apron, wings)Get to know the setup and words for small proscenium and black box stages. Learn sizes, viewing lines, and how front areas, side spaces, and ceiling height change actor moves, sets, and tech 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 at light control tools from easy boards to computer programs. Learn how to set addresses, connect lights, and save, change, call back looks and cues for shows that stay the same each time.
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 shows common stage lights and their jobs. Learn how Fresnels, PARs, ellipsoidals, LEDs, and set lights make beam shape, colour, and cover on stage just right.
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 shows key sound tools: mixers, speakers, stage monitors, and DI boxes. Learn simple sound paths from start to speaker and how to set small systems for clear, steady 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 tools send sound to theatre systems. This part explains laptops, phones, tablets, sound cards, and clean links with USB, aux, and digital outs.
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 safetySee how dimmers, DMX control, and power share work to light the stage. Learn connect ideas, circuit loads, and key power safety for running small theatre setups.
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 part covers key sound, power, control cables for small places. You learn connector kinds, signal ways, labels, and safe cable handling to cut noise, breaks, 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 crowd setup, views, actor paths work in a 200-seat place. This builds skills for planning doors, lights focus, moves that help clear stories and tech cover.
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 considerationsLook at common mics and holders for theatre, focus on pickup shapes, handle noise, see-ability. Learn pick, fix, place mics for clear, steady boost on stage.
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