“Techies! What is your profession?!”
“Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!”
Everyone is familiar with the faces on the stage that bring to life the brilliant performances of the Patriot Players. Though the actors are the face of the show, they are far from the only people bringing this new world to life.
From building sets, to constructing costumes, to finding props, to puzzling over sound and light boards, to running the stage and house, techies—the ninjas behind the scene—are a vital component to all shows.
“To be a techie is to be the person behind the scenes,” comments Ryan Knowling, sophomore and beginning tech.
This is true; in the case of competitions, techies are the people hiding quietly in the wings of the stage, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t get their time to shine.
This year, Student Tech Director Jimmy Boynton, senior, took the challenge and decided to compete in a tech Individual Event—or IE—at District this weekend. This includes designing a set and building a scale model for a play.
“I have no clue why I decided to do this. I was pretty sure Craft was going to make us, but I was the only one who followed through,” comments Boynton.
Not only do techies get time to individually display their skills in IEs, but they also get to show their hard work on the stage during The Last Illusion.
“I feel like techie is the most important job in the theatre,” muses Boynton, “because naked people acting in the dark doesn’t sound very entertaining.”
It’s hard to find a group of students more dedicated than the techies. From rehearsals and work days that start weeks before production to late nights and weekends after school working to make the set just right, they love their jobs, and work nonstop until they are sure the show will be perfect.
“I just wanted to be part of the production,” says Knowling, sophomore and beginning tech.
At Trumbaur this weekend, Bob Jones’ The Last Illusion advanced to State, winning Best Technical Production and Best Scenery. Also, all Bob Jones students who competed in technical IE’s advanced to State.
Boynton adds, “My favorite thing about tech is seeing all the hard work on stage.” And all that hard work paid off.
Technical Theatre is open to all students, whether they want to take the class or just show up to help after school.
“Don’t take this class,” smiles Boynton, “but take this class.”
