Become a TechTrack Show Technician!
Get Paid for Your Technical Work!
NTPA students and parents who are interested in being Show Technicians for NTPA productions can now complete training and get paid for teching NTPA shows! Through attending a series of TechTrack workshops, you will learn a full set of technical theatre skills, all trained on the very best industry standard equipment and software. Once trained, you will be eligible to sign up for paid Show Technician positions (age 14+).
Each year NTPA produces over 170 major productions across nine theatre troupes on a dozen stages, creating hundreds of opportunities for Show Technicians to design and program show lighting, create the right show sound environment and oversee the technical operation of the show.
We’re here to provide a safe and supportive environment to explore the technical arts. We want you to gain real-world experience in the world of stagecraft while exploring topics like lighting design, sound design, scenic design, rigging, drafting, and more!
Open to Students in Middle School, High School, and College — and EVEN ADULTS!
Our Show Technicians earn show stipends for their work in programming and setting a production’s light, creating the right sound environment, and overseeing the Technical Team volunteers in producing the show, earning playbill show credit as the production’s Show Technician.
Get Started Today!
IT’S EASY AND FUN to become an NTPA Show Technician!
- Fill out the TechTrack Interest Form to be added to the TechTrack Discord where you will receive more information about upcoming opportunities.
- Once on the discord, you’ll have opportunities to sign up for an upcoming lighting and sound training. These 1-hour trainings are offered monthly.
- Shadow a Show. Sign up to be a Shadow Technician for one or more shows to practice your skills in a real-world environment.
- Sign up as a Show Technician for upcoming shows and get paid for your work!
FAQs
What will I learn in TechTrack trainings?
You will participate in two 1-hour trainings to prepare to shadow your first show.
In the Sound training, we will teach and practice skills needed to run sound for an NTPA show, including:
- properly mic’ing an actor
- running a mic check
- muting and unmuting channels
- setting levels properly using gain & faders
- setting EQ and compressor settings for each mic
In the Lighting training, we will teach and practice skills for setting and running lights for an NTPA show, including:
- how to set, delete, copy, adjust light cues using EOS program
- basic lighting design
- examples of what EOS program can do
What is Shadowing a Show Like?
Shadowing is for the comfort of the new trainee. Technicians in training will shadow (hands on) as many shows as they need to feel confident with the skills needed before they go “solo” and sign up for a show as the Show Technician. We recommend Shadowing each position at least once as an observer, and once being supervised by another Show Technician.
Show Technicians MUST be available for ALL Tech Rehearsals and ALL Performances. We recommend the same for Shadow Technicians.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Show Technician?
Prior to Tech Week:
- Join the production’s Google Classroom, and plan to be there every day of tech rehearsals.
- Communicate with the director and schedule a day and time when they can set lights with you.
During Tech Week:
- Set lights with the director. (3 hours max.)
- Show any additional tech volunteers how to properly mic, and run a mic check before every night of tech.
- Set EQ and Compressor settings for each mic.
- Communicate with the director about which position they want you to cover during performances (lighting, projections, audio, mics).
After Closing Show:
- Lead the tech volunteers and participate in cleaning the tech booth and restoring it to pre-show condition.
- Return all equipment used for the production to its proper storing location.
- Reset the Tech Booth sound console and lighting computer to default file.
- Send an email to NTPA tech and the director stating you have completed your responsibilities for that production.
How Much is The Show Stipend?
Show Technicians are paid $150 for a 1-weekend show and $175 for a 2-weekend show. Shadow Technicians do not receive a stipend. Texas law requires students to be 14 years of age to be paid.
Questions?
Email techtrack@ntpa.org