# Let’s Design — Stage Technicals 2

## Overview
This chapter explores the invisible yet powerful world of **backstage theatre**. Students learn the importance of backstage roles like lighting, costume, makeup, props, music, and sound, as well as how these support onstage performances. It also introduces **life skills** such as teamwork, discipline, communication, and planning through theatre work. Finally, it guides students on how to structure a story for a play, create characters, and write scenes.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Backstage Work — The Foundation of Theatre
- Just like roots support a tree, backstage teams support the theatre.
- Backstage isn't just a physical space but the critical work done before, during, and after the show.

#### A. During the Show
- **Set and Props**: Quick changes, prop management, stage clearance.
- **Costumes and Makeup**: Fast costume changes, minor fixes.
- **Music**: Coordinating cues, sound effects, covering glitches.
- **Lighting**: Proper cueing, assisting during unexpected events.

#### B. Before the Show
- **Sets**: Build/borrow/rent, mark positions, practise quick changes.
- **Costumes**: Design as per character, plan wigs/accessories.
- **Music**: Tune instruments, test speakers/mics.
- **Lights**: Rig and mark actor positions.

#### C. After the Show
- **Props and Set**: Dismantle carefully, storage and repair.
- **Costumes**: Collect, clean, fix, return.
- **Music & Lights**: Safe packing and transport.

### 2. Life Skills Through Theatre
- **Planning & Discipline**: Essential for smooth functioning.
- **Teamwork**: All departments must coordinate.
- **Communication**: Teams must be updated about each other's status.
- **Resource & Time Management**: Timely and efficient use of materials and schedules.
- **Sales & Marketing**: Ensuring good audience turnout is part of backstage effort.
- **Commitment**: Regular rehearsals, punctuality, responsibility for shared resources.

### 3. Historical Context: Backstage Then and Now
- **Natya Shastra (Poorvaranga Vidhi)**: Ancient Indian text describing backstage in detail.
- **Nepathya Vidhi**: Discipline in the backstage area with Mahavarinis (elephant-shaped pillars).
- **Greek Theatre**: The origin of the ‘Green Room’, a backstage area named after green-covered prep spaces.

### 4. Three Bells of Theatre
Used in professional plays:
- **1st Bell**: Audience silent, set ready.
- **2nd Bell**: Cast and crew ready, mic on, announcement made.
- **3rd Bell**: Show starts.


### 5. Script Writing — ‘Write Right’

Writing a script is like giving a compass to a ship. It provides structure and direction to the story and performance.

#### A. Structure
Every script must have:
- **Protagonist** – Who is the story about?
- **Goal** – What does the protagonist want?
- **Conflict** – What is the obstacle?
- **Resolution** – How is it resolved?

*Example: Ramayana*
- Protagonist: Rama
- Goal: Rule Ayodhya
- Conflict: Banished to forest, Sita kidnapped
- Resolution: Rescues Sita, returns to Ayodhya

#### B. Characters
- Identify main and supporting characters.
- Detail their:
- Name, age, background
- Personal challenges
- Evolution or character arc through the story
- Only include meaningful characters who impact the story.

#### C. Scenes
- Scenes divide the script like chapters in a book.
- Each scene should:
- Have a purpose (e.g. new info, character intro)
- Transition logically
- Have a beginning, middle, and end

#### Final Script Checklist
- Work alone or in a group
- Choose an engaging topic or image
- Identify conflict
- Write structured scenes and dialogues
- Review and rehearse

## Theatre Skills for Life
- **Responsibility**: Keep belongings safe, do work on time
- **Preparedness**: Don’t leave tasks for the last minute
- **Courage**: Face problems creatively, even under pressure

## New Words / Terms

| Term | Simple Definition |
|---------------------|------------------|
| Backstage | The area and work behind the stage, unseen by the audience |
| Cue | A signal for action (e.g. light or sound) |
| Character Arc | The change or growth in a character during a story |
| Conflict | A problem or obstacle in the story |
| Resolution | The way the conflict is solved |
| Nepathya | The backstage area in ancient theatre |
| Poorvaranga | Pre-show rituals and setup in Indian classical theatre |
| Green Room | Room where actors change and prepare |
| Protagonist | Main character of the story |
| Scene Transition | Shift from one scene to another in a play |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)
1. **What does the backstage team do during a play?**
**Answer**: They manage props, lights, costumes, and help actors when needed.

2. **What is the purpose of the first bell in theatre?**
**Answer**: It tells the audience to become silent as the play will start soon.

3. **Who was Tapas Sen?**
**Answer**: He was a famous Indian lighting designer known for his work in theatre and international shows.

### Medium (2)
4. **Why is teamwork essential in backstage work?**
**Answer**: Because if one team fails, the whole performance can be affected. Teams must work together smoothly.

5. **What is the difference between a story and a script?**
**Answer**: A story is a general narrative, while a script is structured for performance with dialogues, scenes, and cues.

### Difficult (3)
6. **Explain the structure of a script using the example of Chandragupta Maurya.**
**Answer**: Protagonist – Chandragupta; Goal – rule Magadha; Conflict – under Nanda rule; Resolution – with Kautilya’s help, he overthrows the Nandas.

7. **What are three responsibilities of the lighting team before and after the show?**
**Answer**:
Before: Plan design, rig lights, mark actor positions
After: Dismantle safely, separate equipment, store properly

8. **What is Nepathya Vidhi? Why is it important?**
**Answer**: It refers to the discipline and backstage setup in ancient theatre. It ensures smooth and respectful performance execution.

### Very Difficult (2)
9. **In a crisis where the lead actor is injured and the costume is torn, what steps could a backstage team take?**
**Answer**:
- Modify script for seated performance
- Repair costume creatively
- Use dialogue/lighting to reduce focus on costume
- Assign understudy or shift focus of performance

10. **How can theatre skills help in everyday student life? Give three examples.**
**Answer**:
- Time management for exams
- Teamwork in group projects
- Discipline in attendance and responsibility

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