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Junior
and Senior High School Theatre Tech
Students Get Actual Back Stage
Experience Working on Theatre and
Concert Productions at the
Van
Singel Fine Arts Center in Byron Center,
MI
Live stage productions are acts of
collaboration: the activities that go on
behind the scenes are as important as
what the audience sees on stage. So,
when a play or musical is finalized the
teamwork begins. While the performers
are learning their lines and rehearsing
their songs, the stage crew is planning
the set production, from building the
sets to assembling the lights and sound.
They must work together, each fulfilling
his or her individual function, to
successfully orchestrate the
performances.
In
partnership with the Kent Intermediate
School District, the Van Singel Fine
Arts Center at Byron Center High School
serves as the home for the two-year KC-TC
Theatre Technology program open to all
Kent County junior and senior students.
The theatre tech students get a wealth
of “hands-on” experience, working behind
the scenes on a wide variety of
professional productions, corporate
and private rentals, and school district
performances and events.
At the Van
Singel, students get real-life
experience working behind the scenes
with national touring shows and
concerts. Students receive the unique
experience of working along side
seasoned back-stage professionals
mounting national theatrical tours and
concerts. The kids perform a variety of
functions from working the light and
soundboards to assisting back stage with
wardrobe, scene and prop changes, and
more.
The Theatre
Tech students play an integral part in
assembling the sets for the two Byron
Center High School productions presented
during the school year. From pounding in
those first nails of the set to the
final curtain, theatre technicians
construct the professional-looking stage
for the student actors. Under the
direction of Amber Schrier Technical
Director and Theatre Tech Instructor,
the tech students build sets comparable
to many professional touring or regional
theatre companies. Doug Merriman, former
theatre tech instructor and technical
director, stated, “The
Van Singel is the perfect facility to
house the theatre tech program. Students
get a tremendous amount of real life
working experience.” Students also set
up the lights, work on costumes, cue the
sound and much more. Just like the
actors, the back stage “techies” must
rehearse and learn their cues to operate
the light and sound boards, assist with
wardrobe and make-up, move props in and
out, and make scene changes. Students
also work closely with the facility’s
technical director when outside
organizations rent the Van Singel, such
as other performing arts organizations,
booking agents
and corporations.
Now in its
seventh year, the KC-TC Theatre Technology
program provides specialized
job-skills-training, preparing the 11th
and 12th graders for a variety of
occupations working behind the scenes in
the theatre and entertainment industry.
After completion of the program,
students are equipped with the
experience to seek careers in the show
business world including stagehand,
lighting and sound technician, pyro-technician,
set carpenter, wardrobe/make-up
assistant, stage/production manager, and
more. Graduates of the theatre tech
program are employed with national
touring productions, concert tours, area
churches, places like the Orbit Room,
and through IATSE (International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees).
Kent County
students who are interested in this
program should contact Amber Schrier at
616-878-6801 or
e-mail:
amohr@bcpsk12.net. Or for more
information regarding the county-wide
theatre technology educational program go to
www.kc-tc.org.
Click here for
more information about the Theatre Arts
Technology program at the Van Singel FAC.
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