Technical Theater

The Technical Theater department is regarded as the skeletal support of all of Ellington's entertainment production needs. The department's student staff works in productions behind the scenes to ensure smooth performances. Tech students work in every area of Ellington's state-of-the-art theater, from building and designing sets, lights, and sound to stage managing and operating sound, lights, and the fly system. Techies also study theoretical aspects of theater in theater history and production design classes.

Ellington is one of the few high schools world-wide, and the only in the Washington metropolitan area, that offers a broad, pre-professional education in the practical aspects of entertainment arts production. Because this program is so rare at the high school level, our students are sought for internships and job opportunities by performance venues, performance companies, production companies, and the stage workers' unions. The wealth of knowledge and experience with which our students leave the program makes them prime candidates for admission to universities and post high school training institutes, often with tuition assistance.

Ellington's Technical Theater faculty is comprised of practicing artists with qualitative training and experience in theater administration and management. Technical Theater students are required to participate in all theater performances in or related to the school as well as assigned outside internships. The times required by the technicians outside of the normal school day will include extensive after school, some weekends, and possibly even some vacation time. This field is time-consuming and demanding. It requires physical work as well as academic challenges.

Objectives

The Technical Theater Department uses a scenographic approach, which creates a seamless, holistic theater experience using a multitude of technical and artistic elements. The department will enable students to study and practice in near-equal measure the elements of scenic design, stage lighting, sound, costume, make-up, and production management. The staff will provide guidance and support to the student's artistic and academic achievements. Also, the staff will provide and encourage internships and artistic development with outside professional theatrical persons, productions, and institutions.

Goals For Students

1. The Technical Theater student will be expected to exhibit the attitude, discipline, dedication, and sense of responsibility required of the serious theatrical artist.
2. The Tech. Student also will need to have high regard for his/her DESA Academic Program, with emphasis on mathematics and physical sciences, in order to confront the field's recent changes, which range from radical departures in theater architecture to applications of laser and computer technology, from experimental theater groups that eschew the use of a play script to abstract blends of theater, art, technology, and sculpture.
3. Technical Theater students will graduate from this program with the ability to creatively process & solve problems related to the demands of entertainment arts production, other careers, and life in general, all with the highest degree of integrity.
4. The students will have the potential and skill set to become outstanding members of any community, be it artistic or other.

Technical Theaters Sequence of Courses

* ½ credit courses. 
Electives: Theater History I, Theater History II, Speech III, Speech IV, Audition/Performance Techniques, Introduction to Directing