Lesson 1Understanding small proscenium and black box stages (dimensions, sightlines, apron, wings)Get to grips with the layout and terms for small proscenium and black box stages. Learn about sizes, viewing lines, and how aprons, wings, and grid height influence actor positions, 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 panels: basic boards and software, fixture addressing, and scene storageCheck out lighting control panels from simple boards to software setups. Learn fixture addressing, patching, and recording, editing, recalling looks and cues for consistent 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 gear: Fresnels, PARs, ellipsoidals (lekos), LED fixtures, and practicalsThis part introduces common stage lights and their roles. See how Fresnels, PARs, ellipsoidals, LEDs, and practicals control beam shape, colour, and stage coverage.
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 gear: mixers, active/passive speakers, stage monitors, DI boxesThis part covers main sound reinforcement equipment: 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 connect to theatre audio systems. This covers laptops, phones, tablets, audio interfaces, and clean connections via 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 safetySee how dimmers, DMX control, and power distribution power stage lights. Learn patching ideas, circuit loads, and key electrical safety for running 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 vital audio, power, and control cables for small venues. Learn connector types, signal flow, labelling, and safe cable runs 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 seating, sightlines, and actor moves work in a 200-seat venue. Build skills for planning entries, focus, and movement that aid clear stories and tech coverage.
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 mics and mounts for theatre, focusing on pickup patterns, handling noise, and visibility. Learn to pick, mount, and place mics for clear, steady stage sound.
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