The Goodson E. theater is a dark, open place that guarantees both an echo and creativity. For a Production Technology student, the theater is much more than a place to see Drama’s latest play. This is their space of work, escape, and community.
These are the people who build the set, set up the lights, work the sound, and take on other backstage responsibilities but are, unfortunately, often overlooked.
Production Technology (ProTech) is an elective class offered at Gabrielino High School that teaches students how to efficiently and effectively complete stage production.
ProTech gives students the opportunity to build sets for shows, work the lights and sound, and become part of a production community.
The class takes place after school and is distinguished as the only 7th period class. The class has two sections: Production Technology 1, and Production Technology 2. For ProTech 1 students, their classes take place on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Production 2 students have their classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. while ProTech 1 students prepare for one show a semester, while ProTech 2 students to support three shows per semester.
ProTech’s best set up so far would be for the “Once Upon A Mattress” show put on by Drama last spring.
Freshman Julianna Rivedeneyra felt the play was unique and creative.
“It was really intricate and they even had a full staircase, a little balcony, and they had a spinning castle which is actually really impressive because it had four parts in that one castle. So, it could be shown as a room, a dungeon, a castle, and a stack of beds,” Rivedeneyra explained. “It was really interesting and really intricate and that’s why I think it’s one of the best projects that I’ve seen here.”
Ruben Arteaga, the advisor of this course says, “ProTech is a vital component of high school performing arts programs, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to bring creative visions to life. It goes beyond sound, lighting and set building—it supports the entire production process, offering hands-on experience with industry standard equipment and providing students with those important soft skills that can be used on stage and beyond.”
Arteaga has experience as a performer, studio engineer, and general live event production. He has been involved in the industry for over 20 years.
“When the opportunity to teach the class came up, I felt that I could continue to contribute to our performing arts community in a more formal way while providing a fresh perspective on what was formerly known as Stagecraft,which evolved into Production Technology,” Areteaga explained.
The course empowers students to explore new career paths, build important life skills, express their creativity and work through challenges while taking on important roles.
Students in the class develop a greater understanding of what it means to work behind the scenes, to make live performances come to life, and give programs using the stage the support that they need. Students learn skills such as problem solving, team work, attention to detail, communication, and an appreciation for the arts.
They also learn to become leaders and work in a group to complete a project start to finish.
“Those organizational skills, teamwork, leadership and just technology but all of those skills together are essential,” Arteaga commented.
Not only that, the class gives opportunities to go on field trips to learn from professional technicians in performing arts venues. Students are exposed to different positions and environments in the industry.
“This felt like a cool way to do it while still fitting my schedule. Because I don’t have a first period, having a 7th period is flexible, I can just wake up later and go to school after that,” Junior and Production Technology 1 student Kylie Chang shared.
Chang finds balance in the class as a way to take a break from her other rigorous and instructional lectures throughout the day.
“I take a lot of AP’s and stuff so it’s very different from the AP lecturing. But with this class you kind of do whatever, it’s hands-on and you don’t really have to worry about grades so much because a lot of it is just participation. So, if you’re just here then it’s really fun.”
With the opportunities next year and future sign-ups will bring, Production Technology’s future is promising.
“If you’re interested in an elective that is not the typical run-of-the-mill course, then ProTech might be the space for you.”
