People who are well versed in leading-edge technology are becoming critical to the success of modern theater productions. For example, when shows like Phantom of the Opera tour, there is often only one backstage person who goes along, and that's the computer guy. In fact, computers are everywhere in the theater today. Scenery is often designed and modeled using computer-aided design software. Computers control the lighting boards and sound systems, enabling designers to create complicated effects never dreamed possible.
Costume designers try out possibilities on the computer screen before they sew a stitch.
And scripts are likely to be written, edited and customized for use by actors, directors and technicians with the help of computerized word processing packages. In short, modern computer technology is becoming as important to the theater as it is to virtually every other business and industry. Theater technology differs from the more traditional field of technical theater, Vick says. Theater technology is a more contemporary term that encompasses technology of all sorts that supports the theater performance. There is an emphasis on emerging technologies, like computer-aided design, that work to create, build and enhance theater and to expand the bounds of what constitutes theater.