When the curtain rises, the audience immediately focuses their attention on the stage actors. While taking occasional glances at the scenery and props around the actors, no one really stops and takes the time to think about what must go on behind the scenes in order for this play to take place.

The dedicated students behind the remarkable and intricate sets and props used on stage are compliments of the Technical Theater class. This group of students takes this course sixth hour with drama teacher Denise Botzki. With little to no recognition for their hard work, they are responsible for building sets, lighting, costumes, makeup, and sound. As one might think of this class as “just another blow-off class,” it’s not. They are constantly working on a new project and getting everything perfectly squared away for their next production. Without these devoted group of students the shows would not go on.

Technical Theater is a course that is designed for students who want to major in theatre in college, which requires them to work backstage at theater productions. Every person has a different job backstage during the shows. Some jobs include controlling sound and lighting, along with 10-13 people backstage to help the actors with make-up, costume changes, etc.

“Tech theater is exciting,” says senior Jeremy Moore. “Rather than sitting in class listening to a teacher lecture, tech theater is interactive and there is stuff for us to do.”

The people who take this class do not necessarily have the skills necessary before taking it. The teacher and other students will teach you how to use a hammer, do make up, etc. Grades in tech theater are mainly based on participation. Effort, assignments such as drafting a set or using fantasy make-up, and behavior are also factored into the grades. About 30 students that participate in this class.

Currently, this group of students is working on the design and construction of sets for the upcoming musical, Into the Woods. Although they do create a lot of the sets, they also ruse materials from previous shows, such as ramps created two years ago.

“I joined this class my sophomore year as a seventh hour and have stuck with it ever since,” says senior Jake Palmer. “I really enjoy this class. It is by far the most fun and entertaining class I’ve ever taken.”

After taking just a glimpse into the tech theater class, hopefully the next production students will recognize the hours upon hours of work put into them, not only by the actors on stage but by the crew in the back.