Technical Direction & Backstage Crew Leadership

Lesson 1 • Stakeholder Mapping and Communication

Identifies all internal and external parties a TD coordinates with and their priorities. Establishes communication protocols used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Ethics and Professional Standards

Introduces industry codes of conduct, union agreements, and professional accountability. Sets the ethical baseline for all leadership decisions covered later.

Lesson 3 • Reading and Interpreting Production Documents

Covers scripts, ground plans, section drawings, and schedules as primary TD inputs. Connects document literacy to accurate planning and crew briefing.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Teaches systematic identification of physical, electrical, and chemical hazards in backstage environments. Forms the analytical foundation for all safety planning.

Lesson 2 • Emergency Response Planning

Builds protocols for medical emergencies, fire, structural failure, and crowd incidents. Prepares TDs to lead calm, effective responses under pressure.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance

Surveys workplace safety regulations, fire codes, and load-bearing standards applicable to production. Connects regulatory knowledge to practical inspection checklists.

Lesson 4 • Building a Safety Culture

Addresses leadership behaviors that normalize safety reporting and near-miss disclosure. Links crew psychological safety to measurable incident reduction.

Lesson 1 • Scenic Maintenance and Repair

Establishes inspection schedules, repair standards, and documentation for running productions. Ensures scenic integrity is maintained throughout a production run.

Lesson 2 • Automation and Moving Scenery

Examines control systems, safety interlocks, and programming for automated scenic elements. Prepares TDs to oversee automation vendors and rehearsal integration.

Lesson 3 • Rigging Systems and Hardware

Introduces counterweight, motorized, and dead-hang rigging systems and their hardware. Connects rigging knowledge to safe load calculations and inspection routines.

Lesson 4 • Scenic Construction Principles

Covers wood, metal, and composite framing methods used in theatrical and event scenery. Provides the structural vocabulary needed to supervise shop builds.

Lesson 1 • Lighting Equipment and Fixtures

Surveys conventional, LED, and moving-light fixture types, their optics, and their applications. Connects fixture knowledge to hang, focus, and maintenance decisions.

Lesson 2 • Power Distribution and Cable Management

Addresses feeder cable sizing, connector types, and safe cable routing in performance spaces. Prevents electrical hazards through proper distribution planning.

Lesson 3 • Theatrical Electrical Fundamentals

Covers AC power theory, circuit protection, and distribution panel operation for stage use. Establishes the electrical literacy required for all subsequent lighting work.

Lesson 4 • Supervising the Electrics Crew

Covers hang and focus workflow, crew briefing, and quality control for lighting installations. Applies leadership skills to the specific demands of an electrics call.

Lesson 1 • Wireless Systems Management

Addresses frequency coordination, RF interference, and battery management for wireless mics. Prepares TDs to oversee wireless deployments on complex productions.

Lesson 2 • Loudspeaker Systems and Coverage

Covers line array, point source, and fill speaker configurations for various venue types. Connects coverage theory to practical system design review.

Lesson 3 • Audio Signal Flow Fundamentals

Traces signal paths from microphone to loudspeaker through consoles, processors, and amplifiers. Provides the conceptual map needed to diagnose any audio system.

Lesson 4 • Supervising Audio Crew and Load-In

Covers audio load-in sequencing, cable labeling standards, and system verification checks. Applies leadership and documentation skills to audio department oversight.

Lesson 1 • Scheduling Conflicts and Recovery

Addresses common scheduling failures, resource conflicts, and recovery strategies. Prepares TDs to adapt plans without compromising opening night.

Lesson 2 • Budget Tracking and Cost Control

Covers purchase order systems, expense tracking, and variance reporting during production. Enables TDs to maintain financial control and communicate status clearly.

Lesson 3 • Estimating and Bidding

Teaches quantity takeoffs, vendor quoting, and bid comparison for scenic and technical elements. Connects accurate estimating to budget credibility with producers.

Lesson 4 • Budget Structure and Cost Categories

Breaks down production budgets into labor, materials, rentals, and contingency categories. Establishes the financial framework used throughout the production process.

Lesson 1 • Hiring and Onboarding Crew

Covers job description writing, interview techniques, and structured onboarding for technical staff. Builds the team foundation that all other leadership skills depend on.

Lesson 2 • Conflict Resolution and Discipline

Provides frameworks for de-escalating disputes, documenting incidents, and applying progressive discipline. Protects production continuity and crew well-being simultaneously.

Lesson 3 • Motivation and Performance Management

Examines intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, feedback delivery, and performance review processes. Equips TDs to sustain crew engagement across long production runs.

Lesson 4 • Training and Skill Development

Addresses on-the-job training design, mentorship structures, and competency verification for crew. Connects ongoing development to crew retention and production quality.

Lesson 1 • Previews and Opening Night Protocols

Covers preview adjustment workflows, final dress procedures, and opening night readiness checks. Bridges the gap between tech rehearsal and public performance.

Lesson 2 • Maintaining Quality Over a Production Run

Addresses maintenance schedules, replacement protocols, and quality audits for long-running shows. Sustains the production standard established at opening night.

Lesson 3 • Show Calling and Cue Execution

Examines the TD's role in show calling, standby protocols, and real-time problem-solving during performances. Ensures consistent execution across every performance.

Lesson 4 • Tech Rehearsal Planning and Preparation

Covers pre-tech checklists, department head meetings, and rehearsal room setup for technical runs. Translates months of preparation into a structured rehearsal entry.