What is a quick change in theatrical production?

A quick change is a rapid costume, wig, or makeup change completed backstage between scenes or during a performance.

How is hair attached to a handmade theatrical wig?

Hair is knotted strand by strand into lace mesh, then the wig is fitted and styled for the performer.

What are the main principles for bringing a puppet to life on stage?

Focus the puppet’s gaze, give it clear breath and movement, and maintain the puppeteers’ coordinated attention.

Free online course Theatrical production

Duration of the online course: 1 hours and 47 minutes

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Build real theatre-making skills with a free online course: wigs, quick changes, puppetry, rehearsal workflow and stage-ready performance basics—certificate-ready.

In this free course, learn about

How theatrical costume quick changes are planned and executed backstage
Wigmaking basics: foundation building, head wrap use, lace mesh purpose, knotting & fitting
Creating stage costume effects like simulated blood and mud for storytelling impact
Playwriting process: starting a first draft, revising, and building a workable routine
Narrative craft: shaping story structure and applying core advice for aspiring writers
Finding inspiration: observation, research, and collecting material from life and art
Developing style and creative voice through practice, experimentation, and feedback
Writing dialogue: making speech playable, character-specific, and subtext-driven
Stagecraft: using theatrical constraints/limitations to boost creativity and clarity
Character writing: approaches to create authentic, complex, and believable people
Rehearsal process: director-writer collaboration, communication, trust, and shared goals
Puppetry making: first steps for simple puppets (e.g., brown paper) and build workflow
Puppet performance: principles to bring puppets to life and human-puppet interaction focus
Actor skills: techniques for live stage work, role challenges, and physical warm-up purposes

About the free online course

Step behind the curtain and learn how a live production comes together, from the first creative choices to the moment the audience believes in the world onstage. This free online course in theatrical production blends practical craft with creative storytelling, giving you a clear view of how costumes, hair, props, writing, rehearsal and performance support each other in professional theatre.

You will explore the high-pressure precision of costume quick changes and understand how backstage planning can protect both performers and the rhythm of a scene. You will also dive into wig-making, following the process from foundation building to lace work, knotting hair and fitting, revealing how small technical decisions shape character, silhouette and authenticity under stage lighting. Alongside that, you will see how special effects elements can be designed for maximum impact, creating believable textures and stains that communicate story at a glance.

The course also connects making with meaning through a strong focus on writing for theatre. You will reflect on how playwrights approach process, narrative, style, dialogue, character and stagecraft, and how creative limitations can sharpen your voice rather than restrict it. Just as importantly, you will gain insight into rehearsal culture and collaboration, where trust, clarity and shared intent turn ideas into action.

To broaden your toolkit, you will learn the foundations of puppet-making and the principles that bring a puppet to life, helping you think about movement, focus and the relationship between human performer and object. Actor-focused segments and physical warm-ups round out the experience, reinforcing the stamina, listening and body awareness needed for consistent live performance. Whether you are exploring theatre as a hobby, building a portfolio for creative work, or preparing for study or backstage opportunities, this course helps you speak the language of production with confidence.

Course content

Video class: How to do a Costume Quick Change 02m
Exercise: What is a quick change in a theatrical production?
Video class: How to Make a Wig | Part One: making the foundation 02m
Exercise: What is the purpose of the head wrap in the wigs, hair and makeup department at the National Theatre?
Video class: How to Make a Wig | Part Two: adding lace to the foundation 02m
Exercise: What is the primary purpose of the lace mesh in wig making?
Video class: How to Make a Wig | Part Three: knotting hair and fitting a wig 02m
Exercise: How is the hair knotted into the wig during the theatrical production by National Theatre?
Video class: Medea's Dress: Making Blood and Mud 04m
Exercise: What kind of effect is the designer trying to achieve with the dress for the theatrical production?

Video class: Playwrights Series: Process 05m
Exercise: What is the most important step when starting to write a first draft according to the text?
Video class: Playwrights Series: Narrative 04m
Exercise: What is the main advice given for aspiring writers in the transcript?
Video class: Playwrights Series: Top Tips 03m
Exercise: What approach is suggested for gaining inspiration for writing?
Video class: Playwrights Series: Style 03m
Exercise: What is a key element in developing one's creative voice, according to the text?
Video class: Playwrights Series: Dialogue 03m
Exercise: What is the playwright's perspective on writing dialogue?
Video class: Playwrights Series: Stagecraft 04m
Exercise: What is the creative benefit of having limitations in theater writing?
Video class: Playwrights Series: Character 03m
Exercise: What is the key approach to writing authentic characters according to the transcript?

Video class: The Theatre Rehearsal Process | Inua Ellams and Nadia Fall | Three Sisters 03m
Exercise: What is emphasized as important in the working relationship described?
Video class: The Theatre Rehearsal Process | Inua Ellams and Nadia Fall | Three Sisters 03m
Exercise: What is emphasized as important in the working relationship described?

Video class: How to Make a Puppet | How You Can Make It | National Theatre 03m
Exercise: What is the first step in making a brown paper puppet?
Video class: Gyre 05m
Exercise: What is the focus of the exercise involving puppets and humans?
Video class: Gyre 07m
Exercise: What are the three key principles in bringing a puppet to life in puppetry?

Video class: On Stage With... James McArdle 06m
Exercise: What acting technique is emphasized for mastering live stage performances?
Video class: On Stage with Actors Niamh Cusack and Catherine McCormack | My Brilliant Friend 05m
Exercise: What challenge did the actors face when portraying their characters?

Video class: Warm-Up Your Body | Shake Out 07m
Exercise: What is the primary purpose of the described physical warm-up session?
Video class: An Actor's Warm-Up | Voice 11m
Video class: An Actor's Warm-Up | Part One 05m
Video class: An Actor's Warm-Up | Part Two 05m

Free online courses on Theatrical production

Learn aboutTheatrical production

Explore free online theatrical production courses and earn a certificate while learning stage management, directing, set and costume design, lighting, sound, budgeting, and live performance planning. Build practical theatre production skills at your own pace with flexible training for beginners, students, and aspiring backstage professionals.