My experiences at ThesCon have encouraged me immensely with conducting research for my Senior Capstone Project. I met many inspiring high school female technicians, learned from many female technicians, and participated in workshops that honored female technicans’ presence. I felt empowered as a female technician while attending ThesCon. These are the experiences I want to highlight for women in technical theater while acknowledging the struggles female technicians face.
I attended a workshop at ThesCon centered around BA’s and BFA’s. I engaged in conversation with the man leading the workshop about the role of the female technician. He has agreed to connect me with several of his female students so I can learn from them.
I’m speaking internally with Ms. Whalen and Ms. Cates about their experiences being females in technical theater. I’m beginning our conversations by asking them to give a brief description of their experiences in technical theater. My most important question is when have they felt empowered and unempowered in technical theater.
I’m speaking externally with Jen, the technical theater director at Brevard College. I’m hoping to learn from Jen about her experiences as a female in technical theater. I’m going to initially ask about how the many people she’s worked with have treated her differently due to her female identity. My most important question is how does she ensure she’s empowering her female technicians.
I’m going to focus on understanding the history of females in technical theater so I can craft questions around the female experience in technical theater. I’m hoping to converse with many of the males in technical theater so I can learn the subtle differences they take note of in terms of how males and females are treated in technical theater.