It’s about far more than making sure that the actors are visible and playing in a few sound effects – sound and light are key creative elements that can create the world of the play and draw the audience into it. To learn more, take a look at our other educational resources.Technical theatre jobs are vital to a successful show. Good luck! Everyone at Stage Electrics wishes you good luck with your performance. Run a technical rehearsal for light and sound, using cue sheets.Examine audience sight lines for the stage and set you are using.Use feedback and self-assessment to improve your production.Do a run through in front of friends or classmates, asking for feedback.Rehearse in the space that you will be using for your performance.

Do a dress rehearsal with the correct costumes, set and props.In the pre-production phase, you will need to: To make sure everything runs smoothly for the big performance, you will need to create a well-thought-out rehearsal schedule. Decide whether to use blackouts or lighting transitions for scene changesįor more specific advice about lighting a play, take a look at our resources Stage Lighting and the Psychology of Colour and Theatre Light Explained Rehearsals.Draft an adapted version of the script with added lighting cues.Create a plan for light positioning and the use of barn doors, gobos and filters.Choose what types of lighting you will use spot, Fresnel, flood, strobe.Determine whether any large set items you use will create unintended shadows.Timings and how lighting changes can enhance music or sound.What colours you should use to convey different ideas or emotions.What areas of the stage your actors will use or occupy.What type of lighting you can use to support the script.In the pre-production phase, you will need to decide: Lighting will help create the theatrical illusion that draws the audience into your story. Find suitable equipment to play sound effects and live music.Choose who is going to operate the sound effects and music.Create cue plans for all sound effects and music.Agree the volume sound effects should be played at.Determine how you are going to source those sounds and when they will come in.Decide what sound effects will enhance a production.Sound effects and music are an important part of building tension and creating the mood and atmosphere of your play. Consider how difficult props are to use and how much practice the cast will need using them.Produce sketches and notes of your set design process.Evaluate sight lines so the audience will be able to see as much as possible.Create a scale model of the design, using painted cardboard and grid paper.Take accurate measurements of the performance area.Think about scene changes and whether props/scenery will need moving.If you are taking a performance support option, you will also need to: Historical accuracy – research the where and when your takes place in.Who will be responsible for moving props.Finding furniture, scenery and props that will help set the scene.Producing suitable scenery such as theatre drapes.What mood and atmosphere you’re trying to convey.Although it’s a good idea to keep things simple, when choosing what set, props and costumes to use, you will need to consider: Sets, props and costumes help create the style and tone of the whole production. Start thinking about production design that will bring your play to life.Devise dramatic techniques to help emphasise important plot points.Talk about structure and narrative style.

Establish the setting and time and period of your piece.

Decide who in your group will play what roles.

Develop a basic concept – the beginning, middle, and end of your story.

Although your story may change during development, this means you need to: Or, you might need to create something from scratch. Your teacher or tutor will probably provide a stimulus such as a piece of music or a picture from which to develop a concept and script.

Creating a rehearsal schedule everyone can stick toĪfter casting, you will need to develop a story.

The key deadlines you need to hit as a team.

Either way, the success of your production will rely on others. You might have the freedom to choose your own cast, or you might be put into your groups by your teacher or tutor. The following checklist can therefore be used as a rough guide, helping to make sure everything in the run up to your big performance goes as smoothly as possible. This means you will typically have around 12-14 weeks to develop, rehearse and perform your play. If you are devising a drama production for GCSE or A Level, your exam performance is likely to take place near the end of the third academic term.

How to write lighting cues into script