Why are there people that think that you don't need any technical aspects in Theatre?

Question

Yes, I know philosophically you don't need "anything" to create theatre, but realistically, without the technical aspects (by techinical, I mean lights, sound, sets, costumes, props . . .) there is no theatre. I've been told that theatre doesn't need any tech. At all. You can have naked actors in a grassy field. I ask, how many people have ever seen a completely tech-less show? I feel safe in saying no one.

I'm not coming down on actors, some of my best friends are actors. I just get a little tired of the "technical people are second class citizens" attitude I deal with with some actors in my business (I'm a lighting designer). An actor friend of mine decided one year that he was going to produce a tech-less production of a Greek play, he even asked me to be in it. "no sets, no lights, just acting in the park at night around a fire." I guess he forgot when he wanted us to provide our own costumes that that would be a technical aspect, along with the fire itself.

Answer 1

Anyone who has really devoted him or herself to theatre KNOWS that it is the most collaborative of all the fine arts. Actors (and, to a somewhat lesser extent, directors) tend to soak up the audience's adulation (and their harshest criticisms, by the way), because THEY'RE front-and-center at the performance.

But actors know that they can't do what they do without the support of designers and technicians. Any actor who claims that his efforts are any more valuable than those of the technical personnel is probably not going to enjoy much longevity in the business.

Actors know that the efforts of designers and technicians enable them to shine onstage. And similarly, the goal of designers and technicians should always be to support the actors, and, in so doing, to make the SHOW the best it can be.

Nothing else matters.

Answer 2

I completely understand where you are coming from. I'm a Stage Manager; and a professional one too. Lighting, to me, basically acts as the "frame" for the entire show. A design is something that will make or break a show; a bad one will take even the unknowing audience, who has not a clue about theatre, right out of the show. This is something I have seen time and time again in my work in theatre. But of course, this is something hard to argue with actors, who do not understand what hard work it is to design and build well. It is not their nature, remember; acting is hard enough as it is for them to think about technical aspects. Remember this: you have only one way to go and that is up; with more experience and time comes more money for us techs. But for actors, unfortunately, this is less likely. Their world is based upon themselves, how they look, how much talent they may possess, what training they may have had. But yours is based upon your amount of experience and the training that experience has given you, much like most other jobs. Also, I mentioned I'm professional; did you know that I, under the actor's union, am always paid more than they are? Also, if you join IA, you'll be paid more than me? Just a thought : D

Answer 3

Historically there were techless shows. Medieval times hrough Shakespeare, travelling troupes wore their own clothes and acted out plays in the daylight. Granted, Shakespeare added more tech with sound cues and scenery, but it was still essentially a bare stage with an actor.

And as to the second class citizen attitude, you've been through tech week of course. How many times have you cursed an actor under your breath? I've known designers to wish there were no such things as actors to get in the way of the sets or costumes, or to step outside their spotlights. And as techs, you also know just how easy it is to bring an actor down a peg or two, a misplaced prop, an illtimed cue, a costume with a busted zipper, all easily thow an actor off their game. NOT that I'm advocating that, mind you.

It goes both ways. Theater is a collaborative artform.

Answer 4

The point is I think that theatre can exist purely without technical aspects, and not that those who ddo theatre tech are lesser people.

I am quite familiar with the schism between techies and actors. Both sides tend to think the other are idiots who don't understand how hard we are working. I've done both, and they are both equally challenging.

It's ridiculous to say that theatre can exist without "technical aspects" i.e. materials of any kind. The performance space is still a material.

Theatre tech folks are the greatest. But even if you can't have theatre without tech, you REALLY can't have tech without theatre.

Going Dark...

Answer 5

because they are dumbass-know-it-alls

w/out us tech people, you would only bee seen by people close up and heard by the first row.

we are vital

i also have best friends who are actors, but they aren't rude to tech people actually half of them are also tech people