UK, Juilliard Theatre Tech Directors Team Up on Book
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2016) — Zachary Stribling, technical director at the University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance, and co-author Richard Girtain, technical director at the Juilliard School, have released a new book titled "The Technical Director's Toolkit: Process, Forms, and Philosophies for Successful Technical Direction." The book gives technical directors the tools needed to oversee the safe and efficient realization and implementation of scenery for the stage.
"The Technical Director’s Toolkit" is the first book to address the myriad nuts and bolts of this multifaceted job, guiding readers through the step-by-step processes of technical direction and responsibilities of the technical director in mounting a theatrical production. Leadership, management, relationship building, personal responsibility and problem solving are all addressed to help technical directors become more efficient and effective. The book also demonstrates how technical directors can become a collaborative member of a production team that artists will seek to work with again and again.
In addition, Stribling and Girtain's book addresses scene shop design, facility repair and maintenance, and finishes with a brief overview of other areas of technical theatre that help round out the far reaching skill set of a successful technical director.
Originally from the Louisville, Kentucky, area, Stribling received his bachelor's degree in theatre from the University of Evansville and his master's degree in technical production for theatre from Florida State University (FSU). Working professionally in theatre for over two decades, he has served as technical director for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, faculty technical director at University of Central Florida, and a visiting assistant professor of technical production at FSU.
As a lecturer and faculty technical director at UK Theatre, Stribling teaches "Stagecraft," "Fundamentals of Design and Production," and "Advanced Projects in Design," which focus on the creation of stage properties. He also runs UK’s Scenic Studio and oversees the backstage operations and crews for the department’s productions.
Girtain holds a bachelor's degree in theatre with a minor in religious studies from the University of Tennessee and a master's degree in technical production from FSU. Prior to working at Juilliard, he served as technical director at several nationally and internationally recognized theaters throughout the country, including the Guthrie Theater, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.
The UK Department of Theatre and Dance at UK College of Fine Arts has played an active role in the performance scene in Central Kentucky for more than 100 years. Students in the program get hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship from a renowned professional theatre faculty. The liberal arts focus of their bachelor's degree program is coupled with ongoing career counseling to ensure a successful transition from campus to professional life.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu