When watching a production, we tend to focus on the actors onstage. We don’t usually consider who is shining the spotlight on the main character or who is moving the set pieces around when the lights grow dark. While technical and backstage theater is usually left forgotten, in the technical theater club, all forms of stagecraft are acknowledged.
“I feel like a lot of times, technical theater gets forgotten or underappreciated,” said auditorium manager/club leader Maegan Sargeant. “I wanted to give the students who are interested an outlet to learn more and know that they’re appreciated and have a place to belong.”
Working behind the scenes in production can include sound, lights, set design and so much more. In tech club, students will learn everything from how to change spotlights to operating soundboards.
“I joined the club because I had a really fun time doing theater my sophomore year,” said junior Kaitlyn Albertson. “I wanted to continue doing it my junior year and then keep going. I also heard that it’s a good career opportunity, so now I’m looking into lighting design as an actual career.”
This club teaches students about technical theater and everything they need to know surrounding it. If a student is interested in pursuing theater production, the tech club can even help them find the highest-regarded theater schools, wherever they might want to go. Technical theater jobs salaries range from $40,000 to over $100,000, creating a great career opportunity for students interested.
“I try to at least touch every single aspect of theater, whether you’re interested in costume design, sound design, or lighting design. We try to do everything from introductory lessons to advanced lessons” said Sargeant. “The unique thing about this club is that it is more hands-on, so we do it in fun and innovative ways.”
Students in the tech club get to try everything at least once, with a new lesson each week involving a different form of technical theater. Everyone is welcome to their Thursday meetings in the auditorium, and joining the club doesn’t mean you have to stay committed to it for the rest of the year.
“Even if you may not start wanting to be on crew, eventually you will grow a love and passion for it,” said Sargeant.
