Minds On
Warm up
Safety reminder
Don’t forget to do your safety check!
Warm Up
Warm up
Find a comfortable position. Focus your attention on one part of the body at a time.
How does that part of your body feel? If possible, take a deep breath and allow your lungs to expand.
Focus your attention on one part of your body. Allow that part to relax before moving on to the next. As you scan through your body, keep breathing deeply. Once you have completed the scan, take a moment to stretch.
Explore this audio recording entitled “Body Breathing” to complete this breathing activity.
Body Breathing
Drama game
Imagine that you are a tree, beginning its life as a seed pod. Explore the audio below and practise visualizing, moving, or just exploring the process of growing through the seasons in your own way.
Tree
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Reflect on your experience using the questions below to guide you. Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
- How did you feel when you grew out of the seed pod?
- What was it like when you first experienced the sun?
- How did it feel in role as the growing tree? Did you feel strong? Powerful? Vulnerable?
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Let’s get started
How has technology changed theatre?
Consider the following questions and images about how technology might have evolved and changed theatre production.
Record your ideas in a method of your choice.
What are some ways that lighting in the theatre evolved over time?
In what ways did scenic design evolve over time?
Explore the following video. What are some ways that sound in the theatre evolved over time?
Action
Get ready, get set…
How is technology used to enhance drama productions?
Explore these video clips that share a perspective on technology in theatre. Record your answers to the reflection questions in a method of your choice.
How does this company discuss the benefits of the collaboration between human performers and technology?
Press ‘Answer’ to reveal the response to this question.
Technology can enhance what the performers can do with their bodies and provide opportunities on stage and ways to shape a story that humans alone cannot accomplish.
Access this video entitled “American Theatre Wing – Projection Design” to learn more about how projection design fits in with everything else that is being created in theatre.
How does projection work together with lighting, sound, costume, and set design? You may have noticed from exploring the video that projection design enhances the other elements all working together.
Technology in the theatre
Review the organization chart that outlines the roles in a theatre production. Which of these would work directly with technology?
Press the following tabs to access a description of different roles in theatre that work with technology.
A lighting designer creates lighting scenes and paints a picture using the lighting on stage to create a mood. They work with the other designers to collaborate on the mood that they are trying to create.
One way that technology can enhance the job of the lighting designers is through the use of computers. Computers can be used to program the lighting designs, including the order of the lighting changes and the timing for each lighting picture all before the show begins.
The sound designer plans and actions the sound effects, including the music for the production. Sound and music cues require very precise timing of the onstage action. They can only be set after the blocking has already been decided for the play.
Technology can enhance the job of the sound designer because it is the tool that the sound designer uses to create the sounds and add the music to the production. As these technologies evolve, the sound designer must adapt. This includes choices around the speaker system of the theatre. The volume, placement, and levels of the sound and how it is heard through the speaker system is very important to the production.
The projection designer creates all of the projections shown on stage, including still photos and any filmed footage needed. They work with the other designers to create the setting for the story.
Projection designers rely on technology as their tools. These technologies continue to evolve, using computers, LED screens, monitors, and cameras.
Scenic designers design the physical set to set the tone, atmosphere, and time frame for theater productions. Scenic designers use furniture, props, structures, backgrounds, and other design elements to create an accurate picture for the setting of the story.
Scenic designers can plan the sets using graphic designing tools and the tools and instruments used to build the set.
Use your knowledge to answer these questions about how production design is affected by technology.
For each statement, decide whether it is true or false based on your learning.
Go!
Technology can enhance many aspects of a theatre performance but there are also possible downfalls to technology enhancements.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Can you think of any downfalls to the technological advancements that have been discussed?
Record your ideas in a method of your choice.
Here are a few examples of technology accidents in real theatre production:
- In 2010, a harness snapped in a production and the actor fell over 30 feet on stage.
- In 2005, an actor fell through a trap door that opened suddenly on stage.
Due to these mishaps, extra safety measures have been put into place in situations such as these in order to prevent such accidents from happening again.
Consider the use of technology that designers might rely on for theatre productions. Choose one of the designers as a focus. Research their use of technology to enhance their roles and create a safety checklist for them to refer to before a performance to limit the possible accidents that might occur during the show.
Record your checklist in a method of your choice.
After you complete this task, press ‘Checklist’ to access a safety checklist for a scenic designer.
A scenic designer uses a graphic design program to create their set designs before they begin to build.
Be sure to:
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Imagine you are on the design team of a theatre company that is performing this Aesop fable as a short production. It will be performed as a narration with the performances silently being mimed on stage.
Choose one of the following designers:
- sound designer
- lighting designer
- projection designer
- scenic designer
Create a plan for your design of this production using technology that has been discussed in this learning activity.
- What technology will you use and how will you use it to enhance this performance?
- What will you be aware of with regards to this plan and how will you attempt to limit the accidents possible? (What is your safety plan?)
Record your technology design plan and safety plan in a method of your choice.
The Hare and the Tortoise. A hare was making fun of the tortoise one day for being so slow. “Do you ever get anywhere?” he asked. “Yes,” replied the Tortoise, “and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it.”
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
The race is not always to the swift.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.