Areas of Study [Entertainment Technology]

 

• Costume Design
• Costume Production
• Entertainment Technology
• Lighting Design
• Set Design
• Sound Design
• Stage Management
• Technical Direction

The School of Theatre Arts Division of Design and Technology, in cooperation with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the College of Engineering has initiated new training opportunities in the discipline of live production technology. This is what we call Entertainment Technology. The concept behind Entertainment Technology is to provide much more in-depth classroom and laboratory instruction in advanced stage machinery and control systems. This training is to prepare students from either engineering or from theatre backgrounds to be more competitive when entering the contemporary theatre production marketplace.

Entertainment Technology is not a degree program at this time. We are able to offer a course each year in the study of stage motion control to students of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Theatre Arts. Students in this class design and implement automation and control systems for live performance and test the systems in realized productions. These performances are for the class only and not a part of the main School of Theatre Arts performance schedule. Students of this course are given specific challenges and goals if creating re-imagined sensor networks and control systems. These systems are then built, tested and tried in live performance.

 

Classes available in Entertainment Technology are co-convened graduate/undergraduate courses including:

• Advanced Construction Techniques (TAR 401/501) Explores metal and wood construction, rigging, and elements of structure.
• Advanced Engineering and Management (TAR 405/505) explores basic motion control equipment and systems, automation and mechanization for the stage.
• Advanced Motion Control (ECE and TAR 447A/547A) Explores advanced use of sensor devices with stage automation, control systems, robotics and system intergration.