OUP Resources
Workshops - Required Workshops
A regular series of workshops will be offered each semester by the OUP. A Safety Seminar Day is set aside once each semester on the last Saturday in September and January. The next Safety Day is the Tech Production Boot Camp, Whitney Theater, 1-4pm Saturday, October 22, 2011. A free pizza lunch will be provided at the end of the session. This workshop is presented by OUP staff in conjunction with experienced undergradute students and will introduce everyone to the basics of safety and production here at Yale. All students involved in theater production in any capacity are required to attend the Production Boot Camp.
Students may be required to attend additional training sesions based on staff positions as detailed below.
Producer's Primer: How To Put On A Show, Oct 1 in the Broadway Rehearsal Lofts, 1PM .
This session is required of all Producers and will cover all the requirements and practical aspects of mounting a production here at Yale, both the "What To Do" and the "How To Do IT".
House Managers - The OUP is hiring a new workstudy crew to serve as House Managers for all undergraduate productions. A new, more intensive training session will be required. For more information go to the Student Employment website or contact justin.deland@yale.edu.
The workshops below will be offered throughout the fall semester with dates and times to be announced.
Light Crew: In addition to the three sessions noted above, The Basic Lighting & Electrical Safety Workshop is highly recommended for any student working on lighting crews.
Master Electrician/LX Designer: In addition to the three introductory sessions noted above the Basic Lighting & Electrical Safety Workshop are required for all ME’sand LX Designers. For some production spaces the Basic Rigging Workshop may be required.
ETC Element Training – This is an introductory training session on the new ETC Element lighting consoles which are now in use at the Morse-Stiles Crescent Theatre, the Off-Broadway Theatre, and the Calhoun Cabaret. We will cover the very basics of powering up/down, save/load, patching, setting looks, recording cues, as well as using palettes and programming intelligent fixtures (affects Off-Broadway Theatre productions only), and playback. If you plan to work in venues with this console it is mandatory that you attend!
ETC Express Training – This is an introductory training session on the ETC Express lighting consoles which are now in use in Nick Chapel, Underbrook, Davenport Aud, J Edwards theater and the Whitney theater. We will cover the very basics of powering up/down, save/load, patching, setting looks, and recording cues. If you plan to work in venues with this console it is mandatory that you attend!
Set Build Crew: In addition to the three sessions noted above a Basic Skills Workshop will be required. Work in some spaces may require the Basic Rigging Workshop.
Technical Director: In addition to the three sessions noted above a Basic Skills Workshop and the Basic Construction Techniques Workshop are required. For certain productions/spaces the Basic Rigging Workshop may be required.
Yale Dramatic Association Workshops
A regular series of workshops will be offered on a rotating basis each semester. Some are offered by the OUP to all students and others are sponsored by and geared specifically to Dramat technical staff but open to all interested undergraduate students. The OUP Technical Advisor to the Dramat will develop a specific schedule with the YDA Production Officer and Shop Mgr., based on an evaluation of the skills of the available student crews for the semester as well as the demands of the production schedule. While workshops in the areas of power tool use, flat and platform construction, fly system operation, rigging, lighting, and sound will be held on a regular schedule with the intent of systematically developing skills, workshops will on occasion need to be offered to meet the specific demands of an upcoming production. The following workshops are required of Dramat Tech Staff.
OUP Safety Workshops: The OUP introdcutory sessions, Ladder Scaffold Workshop, General Theater Safety, and Intro To Technical Theater sessions are required for anyone involved in production work. The specific special sessions noted above by staff position apply to the Dramat as well.
Technical Orientation (not a workshop, but a separate required introduction): Orientations for those students interested in scenic construction, lighting, rigging, fly system operation, and sound will be held during each fall semester in a setting appropriate to each subject. Each orientation will expose the student to a general overview of the tasks/tools/equipment that he/she would encounter in their area of interest as well as an evaluation of their skills/background. A written record of skill proficiency will be initiated here. (Fall)
Stationary Shop Tools: This workshop will give the student the skills necessary to safely execute basic operations on stationary tools available for their use. We will begin with the table saw, radial arm saw, panel saw, and power miter box, which are the main workhorses of the Dramat shop. We will then cover the use of the drill press. This will expand as the Dramat acquires additional tools. (Fall)
Power Hand Tool Basics: This may need to be broken into two sessions depending on the number of students due to the number of tools that should be covered. We will learn the correct uses and safe operation of the circular saw, jigsaw, sawzall, router, biscuit joiner, drill, belt sander, & palm sander. (Fall)
Air Tools: The basic operation and safety rules for the use of various fastening tools utilizing compressed air will be covered. How to choose the correct tool for the job will also be discussed. (Discretion)
Basic Deck and Flat Construction: Materials and methods for the construction of both standard and Hollywood style scenic flats, window and door units will be covered. We will also be looking at methods of moving, handling, joining and installation. We will also cover construction of standard rectangular decks. We will look at three basic methods: the basic platform, stud wall and plywood construction, as well as a basic triscuit system. (Fall)
Fly System Basics: We will come to understand the basic elements of a counter weighted fly system and how they work together. We will then learn how to apply that system to the rigging and flying of scenic elements. (Fall and/or Spring as needed)
Basic Rigging: An introduction to rigging will include a basic understanding of various types of rope- its handling and care, relative strengths, common knots and their use and application, as well as the use of wire rope. We will also gain an understanding of the principles involved in lifting scenic elements. (Fall)
