I know it's been a while, but here we go again!

Gillette Tech Chapter Summaries:

Ch 1: Production Organization and Management - This chapter gave a lot of key terms and important information to remember. It listed and described many different positions and occupations in the theatre itself. These included such titles as: director, technical director, costume manager, scene shop foreman, etc. This chapter also gave many definitions of different types of rehearsals, and other important materials.
Ch 2: The Design Process - This chapter discussed the design process and it's use in the theatre. the process consists of seven logical steps for putting on a production. these steps are: 1. commitment, 2. analysis, 3. research, 4. incubation, 5. selection, 6. implementation, and 7. evaluation.

Ch 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture and Stage Technology: This chapter talked about the history of the theatre in different ancient cultures such as Greece, Rome, and European medieval theatre. It introduced a few key terms, as well as names of technologies that are still in use today such as the periaktoi and the skene. The chapter discussed the architecture of the theatre as well as set parts.
Ch 4: The Stage and Its Equipment: This chapter gave more terms that relate the the theatre in more current times such as modern technology. It talked about things such as fly space, and battens. There was a lot of description and explanations for uses of these technologies, and how they work. This chapter also described the most common stage styles such as proscenium, arena, and thrust.

Ch 5: Style, Composition, and Design: this chapter discussed the way these elements work together and are a part of each other. Design style, stylization, principles of composition, etc were shown. Subjects such as balance, emphasis, proportion, variation, harmony, pattern, contrast, and unity were described in the realms of design and composition. Style = your personal way of doing something, or the defining characteristics of an era
Ch 6: Color: This chapter got kinda scientific when discussing color. It describes how the eye sees certain colors and the different aspects of color such as tone, shade, value, and tint. Also noted was color mixing, primary, secondary, complementary colors. The influence of colors on the mood of a play, and the contrast between the color of the costumes, and the color of the lights can be an interesting hurdle.

Ch 7: Mechanical Drafting: introduced tools for drafting such as t-squares, triangles, and an eraser. It gave examples of hand and computer drafting. Light plots were also discussed. Basic symbols and lettering were exampled as well as different drafts such as ground plans and elevations.
Ch 8: Perspective Drawing: Perspective drawing is important for the theatre because you must know from which angle you are looking at the stage or set. It also helps know if there will be sight line issues. Chapter 8 showed how to draw sets and furniture pieces from different perspectives and had many examples and exercises towards the end of the chapter.


Ch 9: Scenic Design: The designer must consider the mood and spirit, the historical period, the locale, the socioeconomic and personality of the characters, season, practicality, and elements of composition of the play. Sketches can be done to test out different ideas either by hand or on the computer or by other means such as collages. The designer can then draft different plans and ways to show the set and its elements.
Ch 10: Tools and Materials: listed many most common tools in a shop setting that can be used for theatre building. From measuring devices, to power tools, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, glue, to wood, metal, and other materials.

Ch 11: Scenic Production Techniques: this chapter gave different techniques and tutorials on how to build different theatrical set pieces such as flats, joints, and stairs.
Ch 12: Scene Painting: This chapter described the different materials that could be used to paint a scene, and also different techniques to create unique looks. Different paint types and other sorts of pigments and coatings. Techniques included scumbling, splattering, lining, highlighting, shadowing, and grid transfers.

Ch 13: Stage Properties:
Ch 22: Drawing and Rendering: