Craft

Wood mechanics specialising in the manufacture of furniture and interior fittings produce tables and seating furniture as well as other components from wood and wood-based materials. To do this, they prepare wood, process sawn timber and veneers as well as plastics using computer-controlled machines or systems and treat the surfaces. They join the individual parts together using nails, screws or glue, for example, and attach fittings and hinges. A wood mechanic in theatre workshops produces all the larger wooden structures required for a stage set. Some of the wooden constructions are made according to technical drawings. However, woodworkers at a theatre must also be able to make wooden structures independently without a template in order to be able to make changes or repairs to stage sets at short notice.

The head of the carpentry workshop decides which material to use in each case, taking into account structural, financial, stylistic and acoustic aspects. Each area of the theatre workshops works closely with the head of the workshops as well as with the technical director and the set designers, whose designs are realised under their own responsibility.

In addition to technical qualifications, the wood mechanic should be interested in realising artistic ideas and have a high degree of creative drive and technical expertise. In addition, they should have a pronounced sense of style in order to be able to realise stage sets from past eras true to detail. Stress resistance and flexibility are also important.

Training to become a wood mechanic is a three-year dual vocational training programme that includes both practical and theoretical elements. The practical instruction takes place in the theatre workshops of Oper Leipzig, while the theoretical instruction takes place at the vocational school in Schkeuditz. Important prerequisites for the training are good eyesight, precise, dimensionally accurate work and a strong three-dimensional imagination. Please note that large and sometimes heavy components are often produced in decoration construction. Therefore, physical fitness and resilience are of great importance for this apprenticeship.

As a theatre fitter, you make all constructions out of metal. Steel is mainly used here, but aluminium and other types of metal are also used. Work is mainly carried out according to technical drawings that are prepared in advance. However, the construction mechanic must be able to realise artistic designs and solve technical problems independently. The management of the metalworking shop selects the respective working material before the start of the project, taking into account structural, financial and aesthetic aspects.

In addition to technical qualifications, a theatre fitter should be fundamentally interested in the realisation of artistic ideas. Spontaneous changes may be made to artistic designs by the set designer, which is why components have to be planned and/or installed at short notice. Flexibility and enjoyment of working with other trades is therefore important.

Training as a construction mechanic is a dual vocational training programme that lasts 3.5 years and includes both practical and theoretical elements. The practical instruction takes place in the theatre workshops of Oper Leipzig, while the theoretical instruction takes place in a vocational school centre in Leipzig. Important prerequisites for the training are precise, dimensionally accurate work and three-dimensional imagination and thinking. Please note that large and sometimes heavy components are often produced in decoration construction. Therefore, physical fitness and resilience are of great importance for this apprenticeship.

Tailors make costumes for productions. There are two specialisations, women's and men's, whereby the costumes, which are designed by costume designers for a production, are always made under the guidance of the costume masters.

In addition to modern stage costumes, bespoke tailors also make historical clothing, undergarments, corsages, ballet costumes, fantasy costumes and animal costumes in various styles, which makes the profession in a theatre extremely varied.

The profession of bespoke tailor specialising in men's or women's costumes requires great craftsmanship, patience and a pronounced willingness to learn. It is always necessary to adapt to unfamiliar and unusual designs and materials and ideas/visions from costume designers. Important prerequisites for the profession are a love of detailed work and a good knowledge of costume history and historical epochs.

Training to become a bespoke tailor specialising in ladies' or men's costumes is a three-year dual vocational training course. Practical instruction takes place in the costume workshops at Oper Leipzig. Theoretical lessons are held in a block model at the vocational school in Plauen.