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LIGHTING & SCENIC |
Zachary Connell is a senior at Deerfield High School and has focused his time primarily in lighting design with some credits in scenic artistry. He has done work in theatre, dance, concert, and corporate event, all within an education setting.
His most prominent lighting design credits include his acceptance and work on the lighting team for the Illinois Theatre Association’s All-State production of Aida, his work on Deerfield High School’s production of Crazy For You, She Kills Monsters and Tartuffe. He also was selected to light design his school’s student-lead concert in the coming year which he had done in the previous year. Additionally, Zachary has been the lighting designer for a multitude of school dance shows.
Zachary has received technical theatre education from his high school in the Technical Theatre class as well as the Honors Technical Theatre Design class. He has taken part in Emerson College’s Pre-College program for Design/Technology for the Stage and Screen and is currently in the New York University Summer High School in the Design and Production Studio.
WEEK 1
Costume Design
This week, we learned about weaving vs knitting and explored the looming process by making our own friendship bracelets! Additionally, we weaved our own dreamcatchers. We also made our own masks by using plarn from plastic bags. We also worked on our mask research project and learned cross stitching on an embroidery ring.
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Lighting Design
We started off by exploring the different characteristics of light and talked about the different parameters we can control. We looked at different pictures and discussed what characteristics were present in each photo. We then brought our own photos in and examined each photo and discussed the quality of light and the mood it created.
Scenic Design
In Scenic Design we explored the different professions that involve scenic design. We also looked at the importance of models for communication. We then began our own model boxes where we learned the correct method to measure and cut out each piece.
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Sound Design
Sound design introduced REAPER as a new software to edit sounds and music. We explored the EQ graph and dived into many ways to change the sound of a voice and how to cut out the high and low ends. We then used a monologue and added sound effects and music to add to the mood and setting. We also learned how to edit live video to broadcast onto Zoom.
Drafting
In Drafting we looked at the angles we can draft items and tried to draft shapes that were shown to us from the top, front, and side view.
Drawing and Graphics
We played around with charcoal and tried blind contours in which we paid close attention to the fine details of an object.
Stage and Production Management
We dove into the different types of theatre and the pre-production process of the stage manager. We identified the specific questions we should ask the director in our first meeting and the important questions we should have of the rehearsal space.
Dramaturgy, Storytelling, Creation, and Collaboration
This week we dove into Midsummer Night’s Dream and talked about the different productions we watched. We discussed the themes of dreams and transformation and looked into our own dreams for a specific story and the rules of our dream.
WEEK 2
Costume Design
This week, we brought our masked to life by using papier-mâché and tissues to add 3D elements to our designs. We also did some flower research.
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Lighting Design
This week we focused our time on looking at time of day photos to understand how to recreate the feeling of time in a production.
Scenic Design
We started this week by looking at proscenium theatres and discussed the methods to create sightlines for the audience. We also read a short play and designed a set to fit the needs of the show.
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Sound Design
This week we focused our time working in video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro. We learned the basics and then began our project to fill in a gap of a film with different media to fill the story.
Drafting
We used our room measurement to draft our rooms and then drafted a typical broadway stage and focused on our line-weights.
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Drawing and Graphics
We began by looking at figures and started to sketch figures by starting with the line that shows the weight of the person.
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Stage and Production Management
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REHEARSAL REPORT |
Dramaturgy, Storytelling, Creation, and Collaboration
We discussed intimate theatre spaces and what they contribute to a production and the different things designers need to be aware of.
WEEK 3
Costume Design
We made our makeup designs on our foam head and then learned about character renderings and made some of our own!
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Lighting Design
We learned Augment3D and recreated some of our research photos. We also learned more about the program and started our Cue to Music project.
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Scenic Design
We started our portal project and worked with Balsa wood and then looked at our final project and our scenic design ideas.
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Sound Design
We looked at everyone’s Premiere Pro video projects and then learned about Qlab and different sequences we can make in it.
Drafting
We finished the cross-hatching of our drafts and then made a SR CL Section for the typical Broadway stage. We also drafted the ground plan for the Irondale for our final project.
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Drawing and Graphics
We worked on our nature transformation watercolor and then did some more figure drawings and then ended with some basic Photoshop skills.
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Stage and Production Management
We discussed the different conversations a Stage Manager may have and how to respond to them. We also talked about tracking books and props. We then continued our discussion about the stages of production for a stage manager.
Dramaturgy, Storytelling, Creation, and Collaboration
This week we started our final project! we were put into our groups and worked on our mood boards and concept pitches.
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WEEK 4
Costume Design
We made our costume design drawing into mini clothing by using tissue paper!
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Lighting Design
We finished our Cue to Music projects.
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Scenic Design
We looked at our portal projects and then talked about scenic drawings.
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Sound Design
We submitted our Qlab projects. Then we went over types of microphones and speakers and looked at sound paperwork.
Stage and Production Management
We made a cue book and then called cues to “Friend Like Me” and then did our final presentation outlining who we are as stage managers.
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Here is my final Stage Management presentation!
Hi, my name is Zachary Connell and I am interested in this Management position.
As a Stage Manager, I use my leadership skills to help people feel supported and connected. I make sure to keep it positive, safe, and productive. During a show, I give the guidelines and allow everyone to work together. I’m not the Stage Manager who goes around telling everyone what to do. I like to receive input from my colleagues and allow ideas to flow back and forth to further benefit all of us.
Additionally, I believe I’m the Stage Manager who is ready for anything. A moment that displays my dedication to my role as stage manager was when I was working on a production of Mamma Mia and our Production Stage Manager had a medical emergency and was unable to perform her role on the final night of the show. I had 5 minutes to prepare before the show but I stepped up from my position as the ASM to learn the light and sound cues in those 5 minutes. This situation represents me well as a stage manager and that I can be accountable for anything that is needed on a production.
Furthermore, I always push for the most communication possible. Whether it’s the Director, design team or stage hands, Communication is key and I will always listen to everyone and always be very clear with what I am saying. This goes along with my dedication to the paperwork that is necessary to keep a show running. Rehearsal Reports, Schedules, and Scene Breakdowns will all be done to maximize our efficiency as a team.
I want to make sure the director has all of the information that they need and will act as the communication between the production staff and the director.
With my background in design, I can be more prepared to help relay information between staff. This also can support me with my duties with calling cues as I am experienced with light cues. I also have the skills to read sheet music for whenever it may be necessary to perform my job better.
Thank you for your time and consideration.