SK Theatre Design Festival
2021 Online activities - all sessions in cst
Online Activities Sponsored by SATP (Saskatchewan Association of Professional Theatre)
Friday, April 30
3 PM – 4PM:
Welcome and Meet and Greet
7 PM – 9PM:
Designer Keynote: April Viczko
A keynote presentation by April Viczko talking about designing for theatre, living in small-town Saskatchewan, apprenticing in Italy, and all the points in between. There will be time for Q+A during the session, so bring your questions! Read Presenter Bio Here
Saturday, May 1
11 AM – 1 PM:
Creating with Isadora: The Real-time Manipulation of Digital Video and Projections - Skill Development Session with Nick Bottomley
This Introductory Isadora workshop is geared for absolute beginners to the program. Isadora is a powerful programming and design tool for live video artists in theatre, dance, opera, and installation. We'll walk through nomenclature, basic show file creation, animation and control, and touch on live camera input and dynamic controls. The first hour will be an in-program demo and lecture and the last half hour will be reserved for Q&A. Basic computer literacy is required, and any programming experience will be a bonus, but not necessary. If you want to follow along and play - please download and install the Isadora demo. Isadora is compatible with both Windows and Mac environments. Read Presenter Bio Here
Session Sponsored by The Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology/Institut canadien des technologies scénographiques (CITT/ICTS)
3 PM – 5PM:
How Can I Make Your Job Easier? or Why Good Design is Seldom About the Designer - Career Development Session with Wes D. Pearce
We often talk about theatre as a collaborative art but the reality is theatre, especially in the regional theatre model, is much less collaborative than imagined. From temper tantrums to petty demands to not being able to make a decision, designers (and the quest for their "vision") can be some of the worst offenders! To save you from having to listen to me talk, and talk, and talk about the subject I've gathered a number of friends who are stage managers, props builders, stage carpenters, and directors to talk about how being more collaborative makes you a better designer and actually gets you way closer to that notion of a "vision". However, being a good collaborator isn't enough and this session will also look at why a portfolio, a readable resume, joining professional associations and attending events like World Stage Design and the Prague Quadrennial are essential to your career. Bring questions! Read Presenter Bio Here
Sunday, May 2
3 PM – 5PM:
Training the Eye for Lighting: Colour Theory (And How it Relates to Pigment and Skin Colours) Session 1 of 2 - Skill Development Session with Sholem Dolgoy
This subject matter is spread across two sessions, please review these two handouts for topics and preparation. Participants should bring a physical gel swatch book (Rossco or Lee) to the session. Complimentary swatch books are available for pick up while supplies last in Regina at Christie Lites Sales and in Saskatoon at Persephone Theatre Box Office. Please do not be intimidated by the science, you likely know more than you think. Participants will be asked to complete a survey in advance of the session; this information will help Sholem know how to pace the content. Aspects of this first session includes useful content for Jess McNabb’s workshop: Working With EOS: Knowing Your Console. Participants must register separately for each session. Read Presenter Bio Here
7 PM – 8 PM
“Quicksand" Set Designers' Talk
Set designers Damien James Webb, Crispi Lord, and the Sight Lines Design team discuss their “Quicksand” designs. On view at the Brainsport Gallery in Saskatoon; the designs allow for one actor to be swallowed by quicksand and a second actor to go into the quicksand and rescue the first one. Discover the thought process behind their designs and how easy (or difficult) they would be to build. Questions about the designs are welcomed and encouraged! Read Designer Bios Here
Monday, May 3
11 AM – 1 PM:
Qlab for Sound Control BASICS - Skill Development Session with Michael Wanless and Devon Bonneau
We will cover a basic introduction to QLab, including covering the Inspector layout, the creation of different cue types such as audio cues, fades, and group cues, and an introduction to basic cue sequencing. We will also provide an introduction to basic video playback. Participants are required to have knowledge of basic computer literacy and file management. Suggested materials for the session: QLab 4 (for macOS only), and some audio files to play around with.Read Presenter Bios Here
Session Sponsored by The Globe Theatre
3 PM – 5PM:
Working with EOS: Knowing Your Console - Skill Development Session with Jess McNabb
Tuesday, May 4
11 AM – 1 PM:
Qlab for Sound Control ADVANCED - Skill Development Session with Michael Wanless and Devon Bonneau
We will cover more advanced aspects of QLab, including additional cue types, advanced cue sequencing, patching and cross points, MIDI and OSC control, and general QLab best practices with a focus on facilitating the sound design of a show. Participants are required to have Introductory Qlab knowledge (covered in the BASIC session). Suggested materials for the session: QLab 4 (for macOS only), and some audio files to play around with. Read Presenter Bios Here
Session Sponsored by The Globe Theatre
3 PM – 5PM:
Training the Eye for Lighting: Colour Theory (And How it Relates to Pigment and Skin Colours) Session 2 of 2 - Skill Development Session with Sholem Dolgoy
This subject matter is spread across two sessions, please review these two handouts for topics and preparation. Participants should bring a physical gel swatch book (Rossco or Lee) to the session. Complimentary swatch books are available for pick up while supplies last in Regina at Christie Lites Sales and in Saskatoon at Persephone Theatre Box Office Please do not be intimidated by the science, you likely know more than you think. Participants will be asked to complete a survey in advance of the session; this information will help Sholem know how to pace the content. Participants must register separately for each session.
Read Presenter Bio Here
7 PM – 8 PM
"Magic Knife" Prop Designers' Talk
Propmakers Damien James Webb, Grahame Kent, and Kenn McLeod discuss their “Magic Knives”. On view in the window at Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon; the propmakers responded to the brief “create a magic knife”. Learn about what makes their props magic and the materials used in their creation. Questions about making processes and materials are welcomed and encouraged! Read Designer Bios Here
Wednesday, May 5
11 AM – 12 PM
Wearing A Cultural Identity: Garments of Difference - Skill Development Session from Saskatoon Open Door Society Threads: Cultural Conversations conference
In this video presentation, we will be viewing and discussing two video pieces regarding the history of the clothes we wear. The first, “Wearing a Cultural Identity: Garments of Difference” by Anita Ogurla and Michael Alefnia, will talk about how geographic, economic, historical, political, and religious contexts shape how we dress. The second, “A Showcase of Ukrainian Garments" by Anastasiya Baranova, will discuss the impact of Ukrainian and Russian culture and its impact on modern-day fashion.
Threads: Cultural Conversations explores the issues, challenges, and desires of Newcomers, Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures. Archives from this two day conference can be subscribed to here.
3 PM – 5PM:
Careers in Design and Theatre Tech for Women - Career Development Panel with Jennifer Rathie-Wright, Eryn Griffith, Jessica McNab, moderated by Carla Orosz
Read Panelist Bios Here
Thursday, May 6
11 AM – 2 PM
Using Vectorworks: Translating Your Designs to 3D - Skill Development Session with Frank Brault
This 3-hour workshop will introduce the Vectorworks CAD platform to Festival Scenic Designers who are new to Vectorworks, and will demonstrate and explain some of the details of the Vectorworks interface and process to those who may be more familiar with the software, as well. We will begin with a blank file and follow a project-based format to import and scale a site plan image, proceed to create a model of the space and then, create and document a simple scenic design with several elements to show a variety of CAD techniques. We will then define and follow the model and presentation process to develop the documentation directly from the 3D model.It is recommended that attendees follow along with a copy of Vectorworks on their local machine; however, attendees will receive a full experience attending this workshop and watching without the software installed. Attendees who do not have Vectorworks on their computer may obtain a free 30-day evaluation copy here.Read Presenter Bio Here
Session Sponsored by Vectorworks Inc.
3 PM – 5PM:
Integrating LEDs in Practical Ways - Skill Development Session with Alyssa McLellan and Bruce Lozinsky
Read Presenter Bios Here
Session Sponsored by Christie Lites Sales (Regina)
7 PM – 8 PM
“Killer Dress" Costume Designers' Talk
Costume designers Beverley Kobelsky, Jensine Emeline, and Logan Martin-Arcand discuss their “Killer Dress” designs. On view at the Brainsport Gallery in Saskatoon; the designers were asked to create a design with an unlimited budget in mind. Questions about the Killer Dress designs and the thought process that went into them are welcomed and encouraged! Read Designer Bios Here
Friday, May 7
11 AM – 12 PM
An Introduction to 3D Printing - Skill Development Session with Jocelyn Lachapelle
We will look at the basics of designing and printing 3D objects using a Makerbot Replicator+ 3D printer, the Makerbot software, and Tinkercad. There will be some points where others are mentioned, but we will be focusing primarily on these programs and this specific 3D printer at this time. Much of the information gained, however, can be utilized for other programs/machines you may come across in the future. This session is geared toward those with minimal to no experience with a 3D printer or its design software.Read Presenter Bio Here
3 PM – 5PM:
Designers/Directors Working Together in Unison - Skill Development Panel with Eryn Griffith, Jensine Emeline, Judy Wensel, and Yvette Nolan
The symbiosis between a designer and director is a vital one when working in a collaborative environment. During this panel discussion, we will be talking with two creative teams who excel in melding their ideas and language in order to accomplish their theatrical productions.Read Presenter Bios Here
Saturday, May 8
3 PM – 4:30PM
Creating a Story and Environment through Lights and Sound - Light and Sound Designers' Talk
Join the Festival Light and Sound Designers as they talk about their design approaches.Read Designer Bios Here
5:30 PM
Wrap Up for Online Activities