Technical Design & Production
Click here for the Technical Design & Production department handbook.
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Within the past 20 years, the Technical Design and Production (TDP) department has created the MAGIC for well over 500 theatrical presentations, concerts, conferences, and workshops for audiences from around the world. We have hosted the likes of Mike Malone (Ellington co-founder), Peking Opera, Red Hot Broadway, Quincy Jones, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Stevie Wonder, Debbie Allen, Lynda Gravatt, Phylicia Rashad, Dick Gregory, Hillary Clinton, Lillias White, Russell Simmons, Rev. Run, Jasmine Guy, Shirley Horn, Harry Connick Jr., Tevin Campbel, Savion Glover, Nancy Wilson, Wynton Marsalis, Carmen de Lavallade, National Symphony Orchestra and Ellington Alumni Denyce Graves and Dave Chappelle and many, many more.
Our young Technical artist works behind the scenes in every area of the Duke Ellington Theatre, to ensure each production runs smoothly. We bring vision and imagination to life. We design, create and build. We are the architectures of the entertainment world. We are the MAGIC behind the STARS!
Artists from TDP are sought after for internships and job opportunities by production companies, theatrical venues and various trade unions. The wealth of knowledge and experience with which a TDP artist leaves the program makes her/him a prime candidate for admission to some of the nation’s top universities, trade schools and training institutions, often with full/partial scholarships.
This program is intense, rigorous and exciting! The Ellington school day is from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Academic classes are in the first half of the day and Arts are in the second. The times required by technical artist outside of the normal school day can include after school, weekends, and some vacation time. A normal work call day for technical artist can be from 8:00am – 11:00pm. This field is time-consuming and demanding. Our work requires strong physical and mental ability to meet daily challenges, both academically and artistically. The technical artist is expected to exhibit the attitude, discipline, dedication, and sense of responsibility required of the serious theatrical artist. We train the best to be the best!
The central foundation of our program is TEAM DESIGN. This concept - developed by the Ellington Technical Design and Production department - is the ability to merge a group of people with complimentary skills who are committed to a common purpose for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. This process unifies these various technical components—scenic, lights, sound, costume and management.
The Technical Design and Production faculty has a high regard for team and design collaboration. The faculty is comprised of professional artists with multiple years of training and experience in theatrical arts, entertainment, administration and management. We are committed and passionate about our craft and work tirelessly to ensure that our students are prepared for the many challenges they will face in their artistic journey.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Technical Design and Production department is dedicated to fostering the arts by mentoring and educating young artists while integrating practical training in scenic, costume, lights, sound and arts management. Each student will exhibit and promote the highest standards of artistry, professionalism, diversity, and collaboration in arts training, education, and scholarship. Additionally, we aim to train students to be confident and competent, able to think critically and creatively, and who will become leaders in their profession locally, nationally, and internationally.
VISION
Technical Design and Production young artists will graduate with the ability to creatively process and solve challenges related to the demands of the entertainment industry with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity. Additionally, students will serve as knowledgeable, educated, and active members of the global community.
CORE BELIEFS
Promoting excellence in the practice and scholarship of technical design and production.
The Technical Design and Production department is committed to:
- Team Design
- Collaboration and communication;
- Respect for and responsiveness to the needs of students, faculty, and staff;
- Highest standards in professionalism, design, creativity and academics;
- Critical, creative and imaginative thinking, diversity of ideas;
- Artistic, academic and intellectual freedom;
- Diversity
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