Creating a 'Tech Olympics' to Teach and Test Student Skills

Imagine a high-energy, hands-on event that not only tests your students’ technical theater skills but also makes learning fun and engaging. A "Tech Olympics" is the perfect way to combine friendly competition with real-world training, providing an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge in lighting, sound, set construction, and more. I’ve been doing the Tech olympics as  an end of term assessment with my Stagecraft 1 students for over 20 years, and I still have students come back and ask if their olympic record stands! In this post, we’ll guide you through planning and running your own Tech Olympics to build teamwork, reinforce skills, and spark enthusiasm in your theater program.

What Is a Tech Olympics?
A Tech Olympics is a series of timed and scored challenges designed to test a wide variety of technical theater skills. Tasks mimic real backstage responsibilities, from hanging a light to coiling cables. The event can be as simple or elaborate as you like, but the key is to create an environment that promotes learning and teamwork.

There are great benefits to creating a Tech Olympics or Tech Challenge in your program. Events encourage essential skills, students work together and learn from one another, and everyone’s strengths can shine!

Planning Your Tech Olympics

We use our event as a course summative at the end of the year. For me, this is more meaningful, and less stressful than a traditional test. I select basic skills I want them to have before moving on to the next course. We do:

     A tool ID relay: Students have a table with a set of tools, they must go get the tool from its location and bring it to the table. 

     Hang, Cable, Focus, and Address an LED lighting instrument LED only, I’ve added addressing the DMX to this event.

    Build a platform: Usually a 4x4, I provide precut, unmarked lumber, and some unnecessary pieces. They must find the correct pieces and assemble the platform with the correct layout. Of course, it must be square.

     Wire rope rigging: This had taken on a few different forms over the years as our equipment had changed. This section includes using crosbies, thimbles, swag tools, and quicklinks to dead hang an item. 

     Basic knots: square, clove hitch, bowline

     Hang a drop/fold a drop: Looking for best practices and correct knots. 

Other ideas include:

Sound: Properly connect and test a microphone and speaker system.

Costumes: Quick-change relay or repairing a ripped costume. We have our students sew a button onto a costume.

Stage Management: Tape out a stage floor according to a blueprint.

Set the Rules:

Define clear instructions and scoring criteria for each event. While time is important, otherwise it might take a full olympic season to get through your challenges, I always go for “right is more important than fast”. Assign points for accuracy, safety, and speed.

Organize Teams:

Divide students into small groups to encourage collaboration. However this works for you. I allow students to choose their own teams of 3 or 4. No more though, as someone always ends up sitting out. Assign team captains or rotate leadership to give everyone a chance to shine.

Running the Event

Start the day with an introduction to the events and a pep talk to build excitement. You might even have a trophy or medal for the winning team!

Event Stations:
Set up stations for each event, with instructors or judges overseeing the activities. My TA’s typically help me, running timers and checking criteria. Rotate teams through the stations to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate in all tasks.

Scoring and Feedback:

Score each event as it happens, emphasizing not just speed but also accuracy and teamwork. Provide constructive feedback after each event to help students learn from their mistakes. Even though I use mine as an assessment, I always allow students to retry after everyone has finished. It doesn’t change the event winners, but it allows them to improve their score for grading purposes. 

Celebrate Success:
End the day, or class, if that’s your set up, with an awards ceremony to recognize team and individual achievements. Include awards for creativity, problem-solving, or leadership. It usually takes us a few days to get through all the groups, and we end with treats for everyone, regardless of scores. 

Long-Term Benefits of a Tech Olympics

More meaningful than a boring written assessment, creating a tech challenge reinforces necessary skills by attaching it to a memorable event. Students leave the event feeling more capable and prepared for real-world challenges. By collaborating under friendly pressure, students build trust and communication skills. If you make it an open event, a Tech Olympics can attract new students to your program by showing them how exciting tech theater can be.

Conclusion: Building Skills While Having Fun
A Tech Olympics is more than just a competition—it’s a dynamic teaching tool that prepares students for the demands of technical theater while keeping them engaged and excited. Whether you’re reinforcing basic skills or introducing advanced techniques, this event can become a cornerstone of your theater program.

Want to try?
Ready to bring the Tech Olympics to your school? Share your plans and ideas in the comments below! Don’t forget to tag us on social media with photos and stories from your event—we’d love to see how your students rise to the challenge!