In Theatre Tech, students help bring every production to life. When the curtain rises, their work is already in motion, even if the audience can’t see it. Behind the stage, in control booths, and in the shadows of the spotlight is where the magic happens. Because without them, the show simply wouldn’t go on.
Hope Rich, Addison Wilcox, and Santiago Zaragoza are three students who spend their time on the technical side of production. Rather than standing in the spotlight, they work behind the curtain to make sure everything is ready before the audience arrives.
Hope Rich says one of the most important jobs in Theatre Tech is staying organized. From making sure props are in the right place to helping prepare the stage, every detail matters.
“A lot of people do not realize how much work happens backstage,” Rich said. “If one thing is missing, the whole scene can be affected.”
Addison Wilcox helps with lights and stage setup. According to Wilcox, the lighting can completely change the mood of a scene.
“The lights are really important because they help tell the story,” Wilcox said. “A bright scene can feel exciting, but darker lights can make it more serious.”
Wilcox also said that Theatre Tech requires teamwork because everyone depends on one another.
“You have to trust the people around you because everyone has a different job,” Wilcox said.
Santiago Zaragoza works on set construction and moving equipment during rehearsals and performances. Zaragoza said that even though the audience may not notice all the work being done backstage, it is still important.
“Most people only see the actors, but there are a lot of people working behind the scenes,” Zaragoza said. “We make sure everything is ready so the actors can do their best.”
The students at Theatre Tech often spend hours after school preparing shows. They paint backgrounds, test microphones, build props, and solve problems before opening night. If something goes wrong, the crew must stay calm and fix it quickly.
“Theatre Tech teaches students responsibility and how to solve problems quickly,” Rich said. “Those are skills they can use long after they leave this class.”
Although the audience may never see the people backstage, their hard work is a big reason why every performance is successful.
