Technical Area Credit Option

The Technical Area Credit Option (TACO) is your chance to work backstage or to do technical work in several areas of Burtness Theatre.

The TACO is available for select Department of Theatre Arts classes. The option offers:

• an opportunity to learn and experience the world of technical theatre firsthand.
• an outlet for students interested in using their skills within technical theatre work.
• an environment that encourages positive student activity and change of pace from day-to-day university life.
• a grading option for select Theatre Arts classes.

The TACO is a unique, enjoyable experience that students tend to remember as a highlight of their time at UND. It is a learning environment where you will experience what it takes to put a show together from an empty stage to completed show and back to an empty stage. You will complete your hours over the course of 8-10 weeks during the half of the semester that you are scheduled to work. Costume Shop, Props, and Scene Shop participants are scheduled for 2-3 hour weekly blocks. Lighting and Production Running Crews work a somewhat more concentrated schedule.

Apply for TACO

Apply for TACO in class (THEA 110 or THEA 270). For questions regarding signing up for TACO, please reach out to Brad Reissig

Areas of Work

There are six areas of work with the TACO

• Costume Shop
• Props Crew
• Scene Shop
• Lights and Sound
• Running Crew
• Publicity Crew

Costume Shop

• The Costume Shop is responsible for anything that needs to be built, pulled or modified to create costumes for a show.
• Work includes: Costume Construction, Alterations, Repairs, and production preparation as needed.
• Hours are completed in weekly 2 hour blocks of time during either the first or second half of the semester. The shop is generally open Monday-Friday from 1-5 p.m., though exact available days will vary by semester.
• A crew of 8-12 students will be placed in the Costume Shop each semester. Sewing skills are preferred, but not required. The Costume Shop is not available for Stagecraft students.

Props Crew

• Props crews pull, build, or modify items handled by actors or used to "dress" the set.
• Work includes: Finding and building the properties needed for the productions.
• Hours are completed in weekly 2 hour blocks of time during either the first or second half of the semester. The shop is generally open Monday-Friday from 1-5 p.m., though exact available days will vary by semester.
• A crew of 4-6 students will be placed on Props Crews each semester. No experience is necessary.

Scene Shop

• The Scene Shop is responsible for anything that needs to be built, pulled or modified to create scenery for a show.
• Work includes: Scenery Construction, performance, maintenance, and production preparation as needed.
• Hours are completed in weekly 2 hour blocks of time during either the first or second half of the semester. The shop is open Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m.
• A crew of 40-60 students will be placed in the Scene Shop each semester. No experience is necessary, but welding, carpentry, or related work is helpful.

Lighting & Sound

• Lighting & Sound Crews hang the lighting gear and assist the Lighting and Sound Designers with equipment placement.
• Work includes hanging, focusing, and gelling lighting fixtures, and maintaining the lighting equipment.
• Hours are completed in large blocks over one weekend for each production in either the first or second half of the semester.
• A crew of 6-8 students will be placed in the Lighting & Sound Crews each semester. A special meeting will be scheduled between yourself and the Technical Director to go over detailed schedule information.
• No experience is necessary, but comfort with heights and electricity is helpful, though not critical.
• A one-on-one meeting will be scheduled with the Technical Director to go over schedules and to be sure that your schedule will work with our production needs.

Production Running Crew

• Running Crews include "Stage Hands" who are responsible for prepping and working with scenery, and "Dressers" who are responsible for prepping and working with costumes during technical rehearsals and performances.
• Work includes: Working backstage during the last week of rehearsals and during the period of production (Usually evenings and some weekend afternoons for about 2 weeks.
• Be aware that the total time commitment will exceed the required hours. Credit is received for completion of duties. Commitment is for the entire run.
• A crew of 4-12 students will be placed for each production each semester. A special meeting will be scheduled between yourself and the Technical Director to go over detailed schedule information. No experience is necessary.
• Production Running Crew- Typical Available Positions
  • Light Board Operator
  • Sound Operator
  • Stage Hands
  • Wardrobe Head
  • Dresser

A one-on-one meeting will be scheduled with the Technical Director to go over schedules and to be sure that your schedule will work with our production needs.

Publicity Crew

• The Publicity Crew is responsible for prepping promotional materials or serving as ushers during each production
• Work includes: Poster hanging, applying labels for mailings and promotional materials, and other tasks as needed.
• NOTE: Crew members will need to be able to travel to businesses around Greater Grand Forks and will be responsible for their own transportation. All work is time sensitive and must be completed within a specific work window. Hours are completed over the course of the semester.
• A crew of 12-18 students will be placed on the Publicity Crew each semester. A special meeting will be scheduled between yourself and the Technical Director to go over detailed schedule information.
• No experience is necessary. The Publicity Crew is not available for Stagecraft students.

A one-on-one meeting will be scheduled with the Technical Director to go over schedules and to be sure that your schedule will work with our production needs.

Quick Questions