Technical Arts

Student crews bring every production to life through lighting, sound, sets, props, costumes, stage management, and production support.

Stage with musical instruments, graffiti artwork, and construction scaffolding, indicating a rehearsal or set for a performance or show.
Stage with musical instruments, graffiti artwork, and construction scaffolding, indicating a rehearsal or set for a performance or show.

Behind the Scenes

Productions in the Emily Gates Performing Arts Center depend on the students working behind the scenes. In Technical Arts, students help bring shows to life through set design, construction, lighting, sound, props, costumes, hair and makeup, house management, stage management, and production support. Their work helps performers shine while building real-world skills in teamwork, leadership, creative problem-solving, and live production.

  • Grades 9–12
    No course prerequisite required
    Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirement
    Offered outside the regular school day

    Technical Theater 1 introduces students to the behind-the-scenes work that supports live performance and production. Students learn and apply principles of set design and construction, lighting, sound, costumes, props, hair and makeup, house management, public relations, theater management, film production, and career opportunities in technical theater. Participation in each production is not required.

    Schedule note: Technical Theater meets after school for three hours one day per week, except during the production schedule, which may require various weekday and weekend attendance.

  • Grades 10–12
    Successful completion of Technical Theater 1 and teacher approval required
    Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirement
    Offered outside the regular school day

    Technical Theater 2 continues the stagecraft skills introduced in Technical Theater 1. Students develop experience in set construction, hanging and focusing lighting instruments, light board operation, sound cue production and operation, prop and costume organization, house management, and film production.

    Students may serve as crew chiefs for props, costumes, sound, hair and makeup, or house management, depending on the production. Technical Theater 2 students also mentor Technical Theater 1 students and continue studying theater history with an emphasis on technical theater elements. The course prepares students to collaborate, lead, and solve real-world design and production challenges. Participation in each production is required.

    Schedule note: Technical Theater meets after school for three hours one day per week, except during the production schedule, which may require various weekday and weekend attendance.

Find your Place

Whether you sing, play, act, build, design, or want to try something new, there’s a place for you here.
No experience necessary!

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