BACKstage Exam for High School | CTE

The USITT BACKstage Exam (Basic and Comprehensive Knowledge Exam for High School Technical Theatre Students) is designed to evaluate the knowledge and work readiness of technical theatre students at the high school level.

Developed by educators and industry professionals, BACKStage is the most comprehensive examination of its kind and will assist students in determining their readiness for post-secondary activities in technical theatre.

 

BACKstage Topics:

Audio
Basic Terms and Safety, Personnel and Venue
Costume Design and Construction
Lighting and Electrics
Rigging
Scenic Construction
Stage Management

 

Audio

 

 

Utilization of sound reinforcement equipment

  1. Terminology
  2. Mixing board functionality
  3. Microphone types/functionality/usage
  4. Speaker types and placement
  5. Audio principles and theory
  6. Wireless technologies and theory
  7. Troubleshooting
  8. Safe practice

 

Sound Design

  1. Terminology
  2. Editing software
  3. Sound creation
  4. Historical musical styles/periods
  5. Script analysis

 

Audio Resources

 

BACKstage Audio Terminology. PDF with terms and definitions created as a study guide for the BACKstage Exam. eSET app also available for download on itunes

 

Practical Technical Theatre “Audio for Theatre”, 2nd Edition

Edition by David Eisenhauer, Robin Weatherall, and Robert Fowler ISBN-13 #: 978-1-934607-14-5 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

Sound Console Manuals

 

The Sound Reinforcement Handbook (2nd Edition)

by Gary Davis, Ralph Jones Publisher: Yamaha; 2nd Edition (January 1, 1988)

ISBN-10: 0881889008 ISBN-13: 978-0881889000

 

Theatrical Design and Production: An Introduction to Scene Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup (7th Edition)

by J. Michael Gillette

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 7th Edition (October 1, 2012) ISBN-10: 0073382221

ISBN-13: 978-0073382227

 

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Basic Terms and Safety, Personnel and Venue

 

Personnel

 

Front of House

  1. House Management
  2. Box Office
  3. Producer

 

Production Personnel

  1. Director
  2. Stage Manager
  3. Choreographer
  4. Cast
  5. Dance Captian
  6. Lighting Designer
  7. Scenic Designer
  8. Sound Designer
  9. Master Electrician
  10. Head Carpenter
  11. Technical Director
  12. Stage Crew (Running Crew)
  13. Wardrobe/Costuming
  14. Wardrobe Mistress (Master, Head)
  15. Stitchers

 

Venue

 

The stage

  1. Areas (deck, wings, backstage, pit, etc.)
  2. Components (curtains, rigging, etc.)

 

Front of House

  1. Technical areas (catwalks, control booth)
  2. Administrative/Audience areas (box office, lobby, audience seating, etc.)

 

Administration and Personnel (Front of House)

  1. Non-technical (house manager, box office manager, ushers, agents, etc.)
  2. Technical (light board operator, sound board operator, crew)

 

Administration and Personnel (Stage)

  1. Artistic Director
  2. Director
  3. Stage Manager
  4. Technical Director
  5. Crew

 

Safety

  1. Audience safety (crowd control, evacuation procedures, etc.)
  2. Crew and Performers (evacuation procedures, safe operation of systems, signage, fall arrest, fall protection)

 

Basic Terms and Safety, Personnel and Venue Resources

 

NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC), 2014 Edition.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA 10/General Entertainment Safety Training NFPA 101: Life Safety Code®

 

Power Tool Operation and Safety

 

BACKstage Safety Terminology
BACKstage Venue Terminology
PDF with terms and definitions created as a study guide for the BACKstage Exam. eSET app also available for download on itunes.

 

Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information / Edition 3 by Paul Charter  ISBN-13; 2900911747392 Publisher: Broadway Press Publication date: 11/01/1994

 

Careers in Theatre (2012) by Marti and Robert Fowler

ISBN 13 # 978-1-934607-11-4 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

Introduction to Technical Theatre (2006) by Marti and Robert Fowler
ISBN 13 #978-1-934607-08-4 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

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Costume Design and Construction

 

Types of Costumes

  1. Terminology
  2. Gender
  3. Style period/Historical period
  4. Fabrics
  5. Sketching

 

Costume Fabrication

  1. Terminology
  2. Construction materials, tools and hardware
  3. Construction techniques
  4. Actor fittings
  5. Finishing techniques including dyeing and painting
  6. Repairs
  7. General costume maintenance
  8. Repurposing existing garments/costumes
  9. Safe practice

 

Costume Design and Construction Resources

 

BACKstage Costume & Wardrobe Terminology. 
BACKstage Parts of a Sewing Machine. PDF with terms and definitions created as a study guide for the BACKstage Exam. eSET app also available for download from iTunes.

 

Costume Designer's Handbook: A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Designers 2nd Revised ed. Edition by Rosemary Ingham, Liz Covey

Publisher: Heinemann Drama; 2nd Revised ed. edition (November 2, 1992) ISBN-10: 0435086073. ISBN-13: 978-0435086077

 

Costuming for the Theatre by Terry McGonigle

ISBN-13 #: 978-1-934607-12-1 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

Theatrical Design and Production: An Introduction to Scene Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup 7th Edition by J. Michael Gillette

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 7th Edition (October 1, 2012) ISBN-10: 0073382221. ISBN-13: 978-0073382227

 

USITT Publications available for purchase/download at usitt.org

Projects for Teaching Costume Design Vol. 1  

Practical Projects for Teaching Costume Design Vol. 2

 

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Lighting Design and Electrics

 

Design

  1. Terminology
  2. Image research
  3. Script analysis
  4. Fixture types and functionality
  5. Color theory
  6. Color temperature
  7. Rendering
  8. Drafting the plot/paperwork
  9. Creating a shop order

 

Reading and hanging the plot

  1. Terminology
  2. Interpreting paperwork (plot/instrument schedule/channel hookup, etc.)
  3. Hanging fixtures
  4. Focus
  5. Electrical cable and cable management

 

Accessories (color frame/gobo/iris/top hat, etc.)

 

Electricity

  1. Terminology
  2. Dimming
  3. Power distribution
  4. Electrical theory and computation (West Virginia formula, etc.)
  5. Connectors commonly used in theatre
  6. Wiring connectors and plugs
  7. NFPA 70: National Electrical Code ®
  8. Safe practice

 

Communication Protocols

  1. Terminology
  2. AMX, DMX512a
  3. Ethernet
  4. Connectors

 

Multi-Parameter Fixtures (moving lights, LED, etc.)

  1. Terminology
  2. Types of fixtures
  3. Programming (fixture, board)
  4. Power requirements
  5. Communication protocols

 

Lighting Design and Electrics Resources

 

How Big How Bright

BACKstage Lighting & Electrics Procedures.

BACKstage Lighting Terminology.

PDF with terms and definitions available with order. eSET app also available for download on itunes.

 

The Automated Lighting Programmer's Handbook 3rd Edition by Brad Schiller Publisher: Focal Press; 3rd edition (October 5, 2016)

ISBN-10: 1138926248 ISBN-13: 978-1138926240

 

Designing with Light: An Introduction to Stage Lighting (Film) 6th Edition By J. Michael Gillette, Michael McNamara

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 6th Edition (January 22, 2013) ISBN-10: 0073514233

ISBN-13: 978-0073514239

 

Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician 2nd Edition By Richard Cadena

Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (February 13, 2014) ISBN-10: 0415714834

ISBN-13: 978-0415714839

 

Lighting Console Manuals

 

Lighting Design (2006) by Robert Fowler

ISBN # 978-1-934607-06-0 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC), 2014 Edition.

 

Scene Design and Stage Lighting 10th Edition by R. Craig Wolf, Dick Block

ISBN-13: 978-0495501909     ISBN-10: 0495501905     Wadsworth Publishing (March 26, 2013)

 

Theatrical Design and Production: An Introduction to Scene Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup 7th Edition by J. Michael Gillette Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 7th Edition (October 1, 2012) ISBN-10: 0073382221. ISBN-13: 978-0073382227

 

USITT RP-2, Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics (2006). 

 

USITT Publications available for purchase/download at usitt.org

Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design Vol.1 Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design Vol. 2

 

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Counterweight Rigging and General Rigging

 

Counterweight rigging (types)

  1. Terminology
  2. Single purchase
  3. Double purchase
  4. Loads, ratios and physics
  5. System components
  6. System functionality
  7. Rigging inspections
  8. Safe practice

 

Automated Rigging

  1. Terminology
  2. Types (fully automated, hybrid, custom)

 

  1. Functionality
  2. Rigging inspections
  3. Safe practice

 

General Rigging

  1. Terminology
  2. Terminations (knots, wire rope clips, compression sleeves)
  3. Wire rope
  4. Natural rope/synthetic rope
  5. Safe working loads
  6. Design factor (5:1, 8:1, 10:1)
  7. Computation of design factor, de-rated terminations and other factors
  8. Safe practice

 

Counterweight Rigging and General Rigging Resources

 

BACKstage Rigging Terminology.

BACKstage Counterweight Rigging Procedures.

PDF with terms and definitions created as a study guide for the BACKstage Exam. eSET app also available for download on itunes

 

Knots and other Terminations

Working Loads and Design Factors in Rigging - YouTube Video

 

E1.4 (2016) ANSI/ESTA E1.4-1: Entertainment Technology - Manual Counterweight Rigging Systems

 

JR Clancy Operations manuals for counterweight systems

 

JR Clancy Counterweight Rigging 101

 

Stage Rigging Handbook; Third Edition. Jay O. Glerum, Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale IL, 2007

 

 

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Scenic Construction

 

Design

  1. Terminology
  2. Research
  3. Sketching
  4. 3D rendering (Sketchup, etc.)
  5. Model making
  6. Drafting
  7. Tools
  8. Construction materials

 

Construction

  1. Terminology
  2. Reading blueprints
  3. Measurement
  4. Construction materials
  5. Tools
    1.     Hand
    2.     Power
  6. Joinery
  7. Safe practice

 

Scenic Construction Resources

 

BACKstage Safety Terminology.

BACKstage Venue Terminology.

BACKstage Construction Terminology.

PDF with terms and definitions created as a study guide for the BACKstage Exam. eSET app also available for download on itunes.

 

Basic Set Construction and Theatre Safety by Robert Fowler

ISBN 13 # 978-1-934607-09-1 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

Power Tool Operation and Safety

 

Scene Design and Stage Lighting 10th Edition by R. Craig Wolf, Dick Block

ISBN-13: 978-0495501909     ISBN-10: 0495501905     Wadsworth Publishing (March 26, 2013)

 

Set Design by Robert Fowler (ISBN 13 # 978-1-934607-05-3)

(AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

Stock Scenery Construction Handbook Perfect Paperback – September 15, 2015 By Bill Raoul, Mike Monsos

Publisher: Broadway Press; Third edition (September 15, 2015) ISBN-10: 0911747435

ISBN-13: 978-0911747430

 

Theatrical Design and Production: An Introduction to Scene Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup 7th Edition by J. Michael Gillette Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 7th Edition (October 1, 2012) ISBN-10: 0073382221. ISBN-13: 978-0073382227

 

USITT Publications available for purchase/download at usitt.org

Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design Vol.1 Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design Vol. 2

 

USITT Scenic Design and Technical Production Graphic Standard – (1999)

 

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Stage Management

 

  1. Terminology
  2. Safe Practice
  3. Tools
  4. Organizational strategies
    1. Communications
    2. Calendars/Schedules
  5. Taping out stage
  6. Rehearsal/Blocking notation
  7. Calling Show
  8. Event safety strategies/Compliance

 

Stage Management Resources

 

The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management, 3rd Edition: Traditional and New Methods for Running a Show from First Rehearsal to Last Performance 3rd Revised, Expanded ed. Edition. (June 16, 2009) by Thomas A. Kelly

Publisher: Back Stage Books; 3rd Revised, Expanded ed. edition  ISBN-10: 0823098028  ISBN-13: 978-0823098026

 

Business and House Management (2004) by Lana Hagan, Marti Fowler, and Robert Fowler

ISBN 13 # 978-1-934607-07-7 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

 

The Stage Manager's Toolkit: Templates and Communication Techniques to Guide Your Theatre Production from First Meeting to Final Performance (The Focal Press Toolkit Series) 1st Edition By Laurie Kincman

Publisher: Focal Press; (April 13, 2013) ISBN-10: 0415663199   ISBN-13: 978-0415663199

 

Stage Management (2nd Edition) (2012) by Jason Daunter and Tom Martin

ISBN 13 # 978-1-934607-13-8 (AVAILABLE IN DVD/CD-ROM FORMAT, OR THROUGH YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION)

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