Technical Production Sessions

Wednesday, March 19

A panel discussion about the design process of automated scenery and the discussions that can and should occur between scenic designers and technical directors.

Panel discussion of how to design and build safe and simple performer flying effects for shows with flying performer effects.

Commission working meeting.

A show and tell of air-powered technology for raising and lowering, lifting and moving, and stopping and locking set pieces, props, and other things that go bump in the night.

Thursday, March 20

John Huntington will explore how you can use the principles of systems designed to tie together sound, lights, automation, video, front of house, security using show control. Mr Huntingtons experiences with projects from the Treasure Island Pirate Show to the New York City College of Technology's Entertainment Technology Departments Haunted Hotel will illustrate the things to do and not to do and things to watch out for.

Round table discussion on how to make the job of working in theater a controllable level. Tools and ideas to control work load, frustration, and stress. Can a theatre professional lead a happy life? Panel members think so.

We'll have some equipment set up so you can see the forces present in a variety of systems. You can watch the forces change in bridle systems as we change the angles, how an object's acceleration affects the tensions in the system, and what happens to the forces when your system is shock loaded. We will then show you how to use physics to explain what's going on and answer several common questions about stage rigging including: Why is the design factor what it is and why do some experts disagree about what it should be?

Commission reception and future Conference planning meeting. All interested may attend.

Friday, March 21

Find out what to do to protect the animals, the audience, and the technicians when using live animals in production situations. What can go wrong? What paperwork and oversight is needed to take proper precautions? Expect special visitors from the Houston Zoo -- of various species - with all the extra care needed to bring them onsite.

An exploration of the seven simple machines, with examples of these machines in the theatre.

How do theatre production management skills transfer from theatre to dance? Do dance technical directors or production managers operate differently than those producing theatre? What is different in staffing, schedules, budgets, etc.? What should production staff who are experienced in theatre do to be ready to work in the dance world? Panel discussion from practicing dance production personnel.

The roundtable participants will offer historical, personal and professional reflections about the experiences of women in technical theatre. Each panelist will speak briefly, and the balance of time will be used for a general discussion with everyone present about the status and experiences of women in technical theatre.

Practical advice on personal liability for the theatre professional. Discussions will share both the legal and the insurance perspectives on liability issues.

Saturday, March 22

Effective methods of teaching, managing, caring for, and feeding high school stage crews from four to 40.

Types and uses of sensors and encoders in motion control systems. What works and what works best.

A presentation of different shop structures along with a closer look at how one educational institution has organized its educational production teams and its manifest advantages.