The Technical Theatre class at Lafayette High School is an underrated class that students should look into taking. Though actors take the stage, the tech theatre members play an important role in bringing the school productions to life.
In Lafayette’s Introduction to Tech Theatre class, students gain hands-on experiences with tools and techniques. In this class, students are not just learning for the sake of it. They are thinking ahead about how to use these skills in their day-to-day lives. You learn to use tools like drills, and saws, while also learning how to paint, stain wood, and more.
Aiden Gross, a senior at Lafayette, explains that the intro class focuses on preparing students for technical roles in productions and the advanced class. “My favorite thing to do in tech theatre is to learn skills that I think will be applicable in the long run.” Gross is also a part of the upcoming school production, “Anastasia.” This is the last Lafayette theatre show he’ll be able to participate in before graduation. Having worked behind the scenes and performed on stage, he sets an example for others and shows the importance of teamwork and versatility in theatre.
Lucia Frakes, a sophomore at Lafayette, is a part of the Advanced Technical Theatre class and is an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) for “Anastasia.” In this role, she helps with anything the director or stage manager needs. She first got involved in “Anastasia” by attending rehearsals and applying what she learned in the tech theatre class.
Beyond school productions, one of her favorite projects from class has been working on the monster project for elementary school students. This project is where elementary school students draw monsters, and tech theatre students bring them to life by creating stuffed animal versions. The experience is a creative challenge that brings happiness to younger students.
Both Gross and Frakes describe the classroom environment in Ms. Kisling's tech theatre classes as highly hands-on. Each class typically begins with instructions for the day’s work before students begin their tasks. Intro to Tech Theatre students receive more structured guidance to build skills to prepare for the advanced class. They typically have specialized projects, like learning to use power tools and sewing, to help develop their abilities. Meanwhile, the Advanced Technical Theatre class is more flexible, with students taking on responsibilities suited to their strengths. Students are chosen to work on painting, props, set design, and more throughout the class. The balance between structure and freedom helps students become great tech theatre students.
Lafayette’s tech theatre program offers students the chance to build valuable skills. Whether in Intro to Tech or Advanced Tech, students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for both the stage and real life.
