Like working with tools and paint? Ever thought about where the scenery in a show comes from, wondered how the scenes change on stage, or wanted to know how lighting can create a mood during a show? Just like to build things and might want to spend the summer hammering wood?
At the Voorhees Theatre Company’s Summer Technical Theatre program, students in grades seven to 10 can explore the behind-the-scenes efforts that bring the magic alive on stage. During the seven-week program, students work with experienced technical staff to build and decorate sets and props and also serve as run-crew for the company’s two summer productions. From blueprint reading for building sets and developing construction and painting skills, to learning how theatrical lighting is designed and implemented, tech program participants explore a variety of technical theater areas.
The program attracts students with a range of skill levels, from the tech-curious to the tech-savvy.
“Not everyone who is interested in theater is a performer, and the tech program is not only a great way for those kids to get involved in theatre but is an essential part of VTC’s mission to provide all kinds of theater opportunities to young people,” said Karen Nicholson, VTC summer program director. “We really count on our ‘tech kids’ to do the work backstage that helps our performers succeed onstage.”
According to Sandi Makofsky, who directs this summer’s productions for Voorhees Theatre Company, “VTC is one of the only theatre programs in the area that offers young stage crew the opportunity to learn the important skills necessary to work on the technical end of theater, and then along with professional staff, we put their skills to task by giving them responsibility for the exciting backstage world of live theatre for our productions.”
The tech program begins Monday, June 27, and runs Mondays to Thursdays to Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with additional time in the evenings of Aug. 4 to 6, Sunday Aug. 7, and evenings Aug. 8 to 13.
Cost to attend is $575 for Voorhees residents and $595 for non-residents.
Registration forms may be found at voorheestheatre.org. For more information, contact Karen@voorheestheatre.org.
Now in its 13th year, the Voorhees Theatre Company is a non-profit community theatre dedicated to providing opportunities for people to experience theater as performers, technicians, managers and audience members.
