1. Technology in Theatre: How Has Improvements in Technology Improved the Theatre Industry?
By David Jackson

2. Overview
For as long as humans have practiced theatre, they have included the technology of the time period
Advances in technology has aided the development of theatre throughout the ages
This project will examine the relationship between theatre and technology, and how there are pros and cons to an advancement in theatre technology

3. How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre
For as far back as we can track human life, there has been examples of theatre.
In early days, people used theatre to tell stories of things like hunting trips and gods
People used props like animal skins and bones for masks and costumes, juice from plants as makeup, and fire for lighting, among other things.

4. How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre
During the Classical Period of Ancient Greece (around 500 B.C.), theatre changed with the invention of the Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre was a technological invention that allowed an actor to be standing “on stage” (on the floor), and still be heard by people all the way in the back by using acoustics and rows of seats, each one higher up than the last

5. How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre
The Amphitheatre also had a slanted stage. The back (farthest from the audience) of the stage was slanted upwards towards he sky, which created the stage directions of “Upstage” (farther away from the audience), and “Downstage” (closer to the audience)

6. Greek Amphitheatre

7. How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre
After the Roman Empire came to power, they adopted the idea of the Greek Amphitheatre, and by 80 A.D., the Colosseum was created
The Colosseum was the next major advancement in technology, as it could be flooded to have mock naval battles, it sat a large number of people, and could host multiple different events, among other features

8. How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre
During Shakespearean times (1550’s-1600’s), technology advanced again, in terms of costumes
Actors started to wear costumes to signify and highlight different aspects of their characters
Costume changes became more popular

9. How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre
After Shakespearean times, technical theatre continued to advance
Shows started to use scenery that could move on and off
With the discovery of electricity, theatres were eventually able to use lighting equitment

10. How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre
Now, theatres and shows use technology all the time
There is rarely a show you will see without a crazy lighting change, scenery moving on hydraulic lifts, actors flying around the stage of disappearing through trap doors, or without fancy and cool costumes
People go to shows expecting to see great things.

11. Pros of Advancements in Theatre Technology
Theatre technology greatly enhances an overall production. It can help an actor during a scene, and it can also help the overall story the show is trying to tell
Theatre technology in the present is made up of multi functional sets, amazing mood setting lighting, sound cues made to draw the audience into the show, and counterweight systems, used to change scenery or make actors fly, among others

12. Examples of Theatre Technology

13. Examples of Theatre Technology

14. Pro’s of Advancements in Theatre Technology
Because of advancements in theatre technology, there are also different types of theatres
Some of these include:
Proscenium Stage
Theatre in the Round
Black Box Theatre
Thrust stage

15. Types of Theatres

16. Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology
Some audience members expect the technical elements of live theatre to be as good as the technical elements in TV shows and movies
Audience members sometimes come to see shows, expecting to see technical spectacles, or they might focus on the technical elements, rather than the actors, whom the technical elements are trying to support

17. Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology
Modern day technology is expensive
Shows might not have the budget to afford LED lights or lasers, turntables in the set, or multi-functioning costumes.
It is hard to compete with shows with larger budgets that can afford more/better technology than others

18. Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology
Examples of how much technology cost:
ETC Source Four Leko deg. (Package of 4) = $1,099 (Broadway shows have about of these)
Sound Systems cost over $10,000
Costumes can also cost over $10,000

19. Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology

20. Conclusion
Overall, advancements in theatre technology has greatly helped shows convey their points and tell the stories they want to tell
This technology helps support a production
However, we have to remember as audience members, that the technology is not the main focus of the show, it is expensive, not all shows will have it, and it is there to support, not steal the show