Abstract
This article considers how theatre technology and the work of theatre technologists can be evaluated, particularly when assessment is used to judge the professional performance of technical personnel. It distinguishes the theatre technologist from designers, emphasizing the technologist’s role in devising practical means for achieving production effects and solving technical problems. The article argues that evaluation should account for both administrative competence and production outcomes, including scheduling, budgeting, shop organization, paperwork, safety practices, accident records, workmanship, rigging, structural knowledge, and the efficient use of available resources. It also notes the difficulty of assessing theatre technology from outside the production process, since effective technical work is often designed to remain unnoticed by audiences. Different evaluative criteria are associated with different stakeholders, including audiences, producers, cast and crew, safety inspectors, and employing institutions. The article concludes that no single measure can determine excellence in theatre technology; instead, evaluations should weigh multiple forms of evidence according to the goals of the producing organization.
Recommended Citation
Silberstein, Silberstein, Frank
(1985)
"Evaluating Theatre Technology,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 51, Article 12.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol51/iss1/12
