Tech

The Technical Director (TD) ensures that all technical aspects of shows are safe and runs the get-in (where the set, lighting and other technical aspects are set up) and get-out (where everything is taken down). You will be guided throughout the process by the ADC Technical Manager, so don’t be worried if you haven’t done anything like this before! If you have any more questions, feel free to contact the CUADC Club TD.

Set Designing is one of the most exciting and creative roles Cambridge theatre has to offer. Their role is to work with the Director and the Technical Director to turn a vision into a design. The sky really is the limit (even on a relatively low budget), with sets ranging from the stripped-back and surreal to the lavish and dynamic. There are many opportunities to get involved with Set Design, from designing an ADC Mainshow to helping out with painting on something smaller.

Set Building and Set Decorating is all about making the Set Designer’s plans a reality, choosing your materials and using the tools and machines at the ADC Theatre to bring the world of a show to life! The ADC Theatre has its own carpentry workshop where sets can be built. If you’ve never used a power tool before, don’t worry: the ADC Technical Manager, Hugh, is here to train you in their usage and give advice.

Being the Lighting Designer for a show is a great opportunity to play with cool technology while also using some creative flair. They control the position of lights, as well as their angles and colours, to create incredible atmosphere and effect. There are other roles that work together with the Lighting Designer to bring the show’s lighting design to life, such as the Chief Electrician (CLX), who helps to rig the lights and plug them in properly. The best way to get involved with lighting at the ADC is to attend one of the get-ins for a show: this is the time on a Sunday morning where all the lights get rigged. Enthusiasm is more important than experience as there are lots of resources and people to help you learn – contact the Technicians’ Rep to learn more!

If you’ve got a keen ear for music production or sound design, then you might be interested in becoming a Sound Designer or Sound Engineer. Sound Designers are responsible for mixing and controlling the balance of all sound in a production, which ranges from sound effects and pre-recorded music to soundscapes and a live band. Sound design and engineering encompasses a whole range of tasks, from setting up a pit band to mixing a musical – contact the Technicians’ Rep to learn more!

The Stage Manager (SM) is the glue that holds the show together. They source the props for the show, run the technical and dress rehearsals, coordinate the start of the show with the front of house team, lead the scene changes and more, and they ensure that all of this happens safely. Depending on the show, they even get to perform special effects like using blank-firing guns or pyrotechnics.

The Stage Manager is accompanied by a Deputy Stage Manager (DSM), who sits at a desk off-stage and communicates with the rest of the tech team to cue the show. The DSM is responsible for compiling an annotated version of the script to ensure that every lighting and sound moment in the show is perfectly timed. Most shows are also looking for Assistant Stage Managers which is a great entry point into technical theatre. All Stage Managers are trained in fire procedures, risk assessments and more by the ADC Production Manager so don’t worry if you’ve never done anything like this before!

If you’ve got an eye for fashion or fancy doing a little bit of sewing, then costumes might be the world for you! There is a well-stocked costume cupboard run by the CUADC Designers’ Rep. Costumes can also be sourced from local charity shops or be hand-made! To get involved with Costume Design, look for shows advertising on Camdram, and contact the Designers’ Rep to find out more!