Production 101
By Angela Mitchell, About.com Guide
- Auditions and Production Prep
- Stage Tech Basics
- Stage Management
- Stage Lighting, Sound and Effects
- Costume Design
- Set and Production Design
- Stage Props
- Stage Makeup Tips and Tools
- Design Galleries and Images
- Behind the Show: Industry Interviews
- Performing Arts Forms for Printing and Use
- Design Galleries and Images
Auditions and Production Prep
The articles and tools in this section will help you plan, cast, and prepare for your productions in style.
- 15 Steps to Better Auditions -- and Results
- The Ultimate Audition Form
- 5 Audition Mistakes Performers Can't Afford to Make
- Planning the Show: A Checklist for Designers
Stage Tech Basics
Here's a quick look at the basics of stage tech, from what to wear, to a look at the major roles of those on the production.
- Stage Slang -- Can You Speak It?
- What to Wear on a Stage Crew
- 5 Essential Stagecraft and Stage Tech Websites
- Drafting: The Unsung Skill
- Important Educational Resources for Students and Teachers of Stagecraft
- 5 Essential Stagecraft and Stage Tech Websites
- Stagecraft and Tech Supplies Providers
- The Top Apps for Stage Tech
- Graphics Tablets for Designers
- Choosing the Right Graphics Tablet
- Theatre Tech Tweeps - Who to Follow on Twitter
- Top Tech Tweeps (Part 2) -- More Crew to Follow on Twitter
Stage Management
A wealth of information for stage managers, from what to carry with you, how to organize your tools and supplies, and industry insights for running a tighter, happier show (and crew).
- The 10 Commandments of Stage Management
- The Stage Manager's Checklist (Part 1: The Basics)
- The Stage Manager's Checklist (Part 2: What to Carry with You)
- The Stage Manager's Checklist (Part 3: On-Site Essentials)
- Useful Forms for Stage Managers
- Shared Insights from Other Pros
Stage Lighting, Sound and Effects
Cast a little light on your stage lighting, sound and effects know-how with some of these helpful articles and tips!
- Art Meets Tech: The Role of the Lighting Designer
- How to Run a Light Board
- Stage Lighting Then and Now
- Field Templates Give Lighting Designers an Edge
- An Interview with Rob Sayer at On Stage Lighting
- Lighting and Sound Cue Sheet
- How to Run a Light Board
- Helpful Apps for Lighting Design
- Lighting Cue Sheet (Detailed)
- The Sound Designer's Wizardry
- 5 Timeless Stage Effects Still in Use Today
Costume Design
Here's a quick look at tools, tips and insights for costume designers, along with spotlights on awards, leading designers, and more.
- Dressing the Character: The Role of the Costume Designer
- Essential Websites for Costume Designers
- Fashionable Apps for Costume Designers
- Costume Supply Shops in Los Angeles
- Flying Aces, Lovers and Fools: Holly Poe Durbin Interview
- Eiko Ishioka: Costumer of Dark Dreams
- Basic Costume Plot Form
- The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design
Set and Production Design
Here, you'll find a wealth of information on production and set design.
- Anatomy of a Set Designer
- What, Exactly, is 'Art Direction?'
- Syfy's 'Hot Set' Spotlights the Art of Set Design
- Helpful Apps for Set and Performing Arts Designers
- Set Designer David Rockwell Talks 'Catch Me If You Can'
- Guy Hendrix Dyas on Designing 'Inception'
- Set Designer Doug Rogers: From Shakespeare to 'Tangled'
- Vectorworks 2012 Available Now
Stage Props
Learn about the world of stage and screen properties -- from tools and insights on how to manage them, and to interviews with leading prop-masters on what goes into their creation!
- Prop Shops and Props Suppliers in NYC
- The Prop's the Thing for Eric Hart: Part 1 of 3
- Prop Agenda's Eric Hart on Props: Part 2
- Talking Props with Eric Hart: Part 3 of 3
- Behind the Props of NBC's "Grimm"
- Prop Secrets of "Grimm" (Part 2)
Stage Makeup Tips and Tools
A look at everything from the best elements of your stage makeup toolkit, to step-by-step instruction for applying stage makeup -- as well as common mistakes to avoid.
- That Hair! That Face! The Art of the Hair and Makeup Designer
- Stage Makeup 101
- The Essential Stage Makeup Kit
- 5 Stage Makeup Mistakes to Avoid
- Types of Stage Blood
Design Galleries and Images
Get inspired in your design work with these detailed galleries of some of the most beautiful creations for stage and screen!
- Gallery: The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design
- Gallery: The Puppets of 'War Horse'
- Gallery: The Designs of Guy Hendrix Dyas
- Gallery: Staging the World of 'Cavalia'
- Gallery: The Art of 'Alice'
- Gallery: 'Spider-man, Turn Off the Dark' From Broadway to Facebook
Behind the Show: Industry Interviews
Check out our interviews and insights from award-winning directors, producers, actors, artistic directors, and more here!
- Bringing 'War Horse' to Life (the Handspring Interview) Part 1
- Bringing 'War Horse' to Life (the Handspring Interview) Part 2
- Guy Hendrix Dyas on Designing 'Inception'
- Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil’s "KÀ"
- Steve Cosson on 'The Civilians'
- Mary Helen Bowers on Portman and "Black Swan"
- Jerry Manning Talks Staying 'Epic' at the Seattle Rep
- Normand Latourelle on Staging 'Cavalia'
- Daisy Eagan on Staging a Fundraiser and Life after 'Garden'
- 'Bringing it On' in Atlanta: The Alliance's Susan V. Booth
- An Interview with OBIE Award-winning Director Pam Mackinnon
- An Interview with the Tony-Winning Producers of Broadway's 'Lombardi'
- Acclaimed Actor David Ogden Stiers on Conducting, Performing, and More
- Guy Hendrix Dyas on Designing 'Inception'
- Doug Rogers on Set and Production Design from Shakespeare to 'Tangled'
- Face Off Season 2 Winner Rayce Bird Flies High
- RJ Haddy Talks Life After 'Face Off'
- Doug Rogers on Set and Production Design from Shakespeare to 'Tangled'
Performing Arts Forms for Printing and Use
It's no surprise to those who work in the theatre that it often involves a tremendous amount of knowledge, information, forms, worksheets, scripts, and plain old paperwork. This area will provide you with a wide-ranging assortment of the tools you need to hit the ground running quickly on your production and prep, with an ever-growing host of forms and tools to help you do your best work.
- Lighting and Sound Cue Sheet
- Lighting Cue Sheet (Detailed)
- Production Cast/Crew Contact Form
- The Ultimate Audition Form
- Rehearsal Sign-In Sheet
- Rehearsal Checklist Form
- Rehearsal Report Form
- Performance Sign-in Sheet
- Performance Checklist Form
- Rehearsal Report Form
- Forms for Prop Masters
- Useful Forms for Stage Managers
- Basic Costume Plot
- Rehearsal Report Form
- Forms for Prop Masters
- Useful Forms for Stage Managers
- Basic Costume Plot
Design Galleries and Images
Get inspired in your design work with these detailed galleries of some of the most beautiful creations for stage and screen!