Thank you for scanning the QR code and joining us after the USITT BACKstage+ resources panel. This page contains training links, articles, videos, vendors, and reference materials we discussed, focusing on resources for secondary school theatres. As you scroll, you’ll find professional development opportunities, tools for your lesson plans, and safe, practical solutions for typical spaces and budgets. Please bookmark this page, share it with your students and colleagues, and check back after the conference. I will update it with new training options and classroom-ready materials as they become available.
Training & Professional Development
Stage Seminars – Hands-on and online training in lighting, rigging, safety, and more, designed with secondary-school and early-career technicians in mind.
https://stageseminars.com
HSTech – High School Technical Theatre – Articles, how‑tos, classroom projects, and curated links covering lighting, sound, scenery, and production for secondary schools.
https://hstech.org
JumpStart Theatre – Educational Theatre Foundation – Three‑year program that helps schools build sustainable musical theatre, including PD and resources for teachers new to producing shows.
https://foundation.schooltheatre.org/grants/jumpstart-theatre/
Educational Theatre Association – Theatre Teachers Hub & Learning Center – Lesson plans, units, webinars, and professional development for theatre educators, including technical theatre content.
Teachers Hub: https://schooltheatre.org/teachers/
Learning Center: https://learn.schooltheatre.org
Theatrefolk – Drama Teacher Academy – Paid membership with full‑year curricula, tech theatre units, and PD geared toward middle and high school teachers.
https://www.theatrefolk.com/drama-teacher-academy
NFHS – Technical Theatre Curriculum – Guidance on building technical theatre courses and training for high school participants, connected to broader NFHS arts standards work.
https://nfhs.org/stories/technical-theatre-curriculum-training-for-high-school-participants
Alliance Theatre – Virtual Resources – Free toolkits, activities, and videos that can be adapted for secondary theatre and cross‑curricular work.
https://www.alliancetheatre.org/schools-educators/virtual-resources/
Creative Drama – Teaching Theatre Online – Curated list of online resources and strategies for theatre instruction in digital and blended environments.
https://www.creativedrama.com/2020/03/31/teaching-theatre-online-resources-for-your-classes/
Cobalt Studios – Scenic Painting Training for Teachers – Summer Teachers Training intensive and other scenic painting programs that translate directly to classroom work and productions.
https://cobaltstudios.biz/training-programs/teachers-training-for-scenic-painting
Technical Theatre Curriculum & Classroom Resources
Stage Lighting for Students – StageLightingPrimer.com – Clear, student‑friendly explanations of fixtures, color, control, and basic lighting design geared toward beginners.
Home: https://stagelightingprimer.com
Fixtures: http://www.stagelightingprimer.com/slfs-fixtures.html
Color Mixing: https://www.stagelightingprimer.com/slfs-color.html
Theatrecrafts.com – Topics & Glossary – Wide‑ranging articles and a substantial glossary covering staging, lighting, sound, automation, scenic construction, and more.
Topics: https://theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/topics/
Glossary: https://theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/glossary-of-technical-theatre-terms/
EdTA – Sound Design Model Cornerstone Assessment – A structured high school sound design unit that can be dropped into an existing curriculum, including performance tasks and assessment ideas.
https://learn.schooltheatre.org/hs-sound-design-mca
Lighting & Design Archives
The Lighting Archive – Real plots, paperwork, and documentation from professional productions, great for showing students what “real” design and paperwork look like.
https://thelightingarchive.org
Richard Cadena, technical write for L&SA blog with links to his articles.
https://www.aptxl.com/blog-1
Rigging, Safety & Standards
IATSE Local 470 – Education – Short articles, downloadable resources, and explanations of safe rigging, light plot reading, and stagecraft fundamentals from a local with strong education outreach.
https://www.ia470.com/education.html
JR Clancy – Reference & Safety Manuals – Rigging guides, safety sheets, and operation manuals that can inform school policies, training, and classroom discussions about safe systems.
Product Literature: https://www.jrclancy.com/reference.php
Safety & Operations Manuals: https://www.jrclancy.com/operations-manuals.php
USITT / IATSE / OSHA Alliance – Partnership focused on health and safety in entertainment; useful background when talking with administrators about why safety training matters.
https://www.usitt.org/member-resources/osha-usitt-iatse-alliance
Audio & Sound Design
DPA – Mic University – Articles, diagrams, and videos explaining microphone types, placement, and basic audio concepts in clear language.
https://www.dpamicrophones.com/mic-university/
Headworn Mic Placement– Article about how changing headworn mic position affects tone and clarity, very useful for training student A2s.
https://tinyurl.com/headmicplacement
Kai Harada – Sound Handbook – A deep, readable online handbook from a Broadway sound designer, covering fundamentals, mixing, RF mics, and sound reinforcement concepts.
https://harada-sound.com/sound/handbook/
HSTech – Intro to Sound Design – A teacher‑friendly introduction to theatrical sound design, paperwork, and workflow, suitable to hand directly to students.
https://hstech.org/how-to-design/sound6/intro-to-sound-design/
Soft Goods, Hardware & Vendors (for Research and Spec’ing)
Rose Brand – Blogs & How‑Tos – Articles and case studies on curtain types, finishes, rigging hardware, masking solutions, and real‑world installations.
Blog Category: https://www.rosebrand.com/blog/category/blogs
Curtain Finishes & Linings: https://www.rosebrand.com/custom-curtain-services/curtain-finishes-and-linings
BMI Supply – Stage lighting, rigging, drapery hardware, consumables, and system design; useful catalog for students learning to identify real‑world equipment.
Main site: https://bmisupply.com
Install (systems overview): https://shop.bmisupply.com/topmenu/install
Mutual Hardware – Long‑time theatrical hardware and expendables supplier, with a catalog that’s great for teaching students the names and uses of less common pieces.
https://www.mutualhardware.com
Flying Performers
D2 Flying Effects (PointWright) – Performer flying systems and effects for everything from schools to Broadway, with an emphasis on matching effects to venue and budget.
https://www.pwrigging.com/d2flying
ZFX Flying Effects – Full-service performer flying and scenic automation for theatres, schools, and events worldwide.
https://www.zfxflying.com
On The FLY Productions – Theatrical touring and performer flying effects, plus educational flying workshops for productions like Peter Pan, Tarzan, and more.
https://www.ontheflypros.com
Vertigo – Manual to fully automated performer flying effects for theatrical productions, schools, houses of worship, and special events.getvertigo+1
https://getvertigo.com
Safety note: Performer flying is life‑safety critical; always use qualified flying vendors for system design, installation, inspection, and training, and never allow students or staff to improvise flying systems.
How to Use This List
These resources span curriculum, training, safety, and vendors. Use them to:
- Build or revise tech theatre courses and handouts.
- Train student crews in lighting, sound, rigging, and scenic painting.
- Support grant writing and conversations with administrators about safety and program quality.