If you were to tap into the history of theatre, you would probably find yourself deeply intrigued by the centuries-old arena for unique storytelling. I, for one, have a newfound respect for this art platform that I have grown to adore over the years (more about that in a bit).
While I am an avid engager of storytelling experiences by way of many outlets — TV, radio, writings, oratory — there is something quite special about theatre that typically doesn’t offer up just average. But not in a sense that it is valued more or exclusively revered by a particular sociographic. You see, theatre has an extensive reputation for making a society of humans eager to promote their thrills, emotions, and even sometimes purpose.
Theatre has long been a familiar art appreciation established in my family’s history of creative outlets. Everything from musicals to plays, and even improv. I’ve had my share of high school musicals — to say the least — being both my children were heavily involved in a variety of departments including orchestra, vocals, and acting (sometimes multiple characters at once). And then, there are those we’ve witnessed together on main stages and are always in awe of how all the nuts and bolts of a story come to fruition.
Photo by Erika Cain
(from left to right) Gracen Rawlinson, Rylee Riegel, and Kaylee Webb, Theatre Memphis Tech Academy
I recently had the coolest opportunity to catch a glimpse into how a production is made with a behind-the-scenes experience at Theatre Memphis. Um, but I’m not talking about a simple walk-through to see everyone hard at work while I take moments to capture amazing photos of the jaw-dropping happenings at every turn. I was put to work! Yep. I took it upon myself to enroll into a Tech Crew training class offered, and boy, let’s just say, theatre squads deserve a true hi-five for the work entailed in bringing joy to others.
This brings me back to the ‘respect’ I mentioned earlier on. Theatre Memphis creates outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of audiences, participants, and the community as a whole. The 100-year-old community theatre is a staple in the Mid-South for producing one-of-a-kind art in the form of drama, and wants to ensure they continue presenting top-notch quality in actors, stage management, sound, lighting, and all that make up a memorable performance that will keep folks laughing, crying, or even desiring to work in the field.
Let’s just say I kinda cried on the inside during my tech crew hands-on training exhibition, but not from sadness. The Cinderella musical was currently on deck and it captioned the words “sensational” and “magical.” We all know the story as it goes — a classic saga of rags to romance. Left in wonderment from the moment I arrived all geared up for some excitement of seeing it all come together, we paired into small groups and the rest was painful amazement until the clock struck…well, what felt like midnight. Not at the fault of Theatre Memphis, but because many of us were not expecting such high intensive labor that requires climbing, crawling, pushing, pulling, squeezing, lifting, swinging, watching, waiting, running, building, repairing, sewing, costuming, and I’ll just stop right there. Some of this while positioned at the highest point of the auditorium, looking down at the orchestra pit and trying to think good thoughts.
Photo by Erika Cain
(from top to bottom) Rylee Riegel and Kaylee Webb, Theatre Memphis Tech Academy
Not so glamorous behind-the-scenes after all, but I am thrilled to get to do it all over again to perfect various techniques. It was so much fun and most memorable. Theatre crews will forever get a standing ovation from me.
What I found pretty striking was that the amazing staff truly loved their lane of expertise and they all professed to work within a wonderful community of like-minded artists, performers, musicians, staff, and volunteers. That also includes young up-and-comings.
Theatre Memphis has designed a Tech Academy for students ages 13-19, to learn about and participate in all realms of technical theatre: stage management, lighting, sound, sets/props, costumes, makeup, and more. Tech Academy was established in May 2022, and officially kicked off in August 2022. The year-round program offers 12 to 16 workshops with the goal of training teens within their area of interests and as a result, empowering the next generation of the theatre community.
“Kids and Tech are close to my heart,” says Becky Caspersen, director of Stage Management, Outreach, Education, and Volunteer Engagement at Theatre Memphis. “Most of the cadets have no idea what they are interested in until they try it. We give them multiple avenues to explore in the areas of Lighting, Sound, Costume, Makeup, Wigs, Scenic, Props, Stage Management and Front of house.”
Photo by Erika Cain
(from left to right) Maggy Louderback and Gracen Rawlinson, Theatre Memphis Tech Academy
Some students show up to just engage in workshops, which adds more skill to their theatre tool bag and allows them to take the knowledge back to their own schools or churches. “They can take free workshops; come in and volunteer to work alongside our designers; they can shadow, sub in or, when they’ve learned enough skills, can even be on crew for one of our season shows,” says Caspersen. “We love that, because that’s our little way of making things better for teachers and their school programs. Some kids just love being involved in theatre, and while they may not consider majoring in it in college or a university, they find a home, community, and fun in being backstage.”
Theatre Memphis wants to lay a solid foundation for teens by providing skills that are beneficial and much needed in their projected field of study after high school. Caspersen is charged with ensuring teaching and learning opportunities lead to the success of students utilizing the arts to gain knowledge and acquired skills for their future journeys, and she doesn’t take it lightly. “Back in the Nineties, I was on the board for a new arts school in St. Louis called Dayspring School of the Arts,” she says. “In the second year, we implemented a backstage class and that was the beginning of my love of teaching kids about backstage arts. Those ‘AH-HA!’ moments of them trying something completely new, getting it, loving it, and making it their own, is quite addictive. Here in Memphis, we have a thriving arts and culture community and also a severe lack of designers and technicians to make it all happen. For some reason we can’t seem to coax these designers and technicians to move or stay in Memphis, so we’ve decided we need to ‘grow our own.’ And while we hope to raise a few of these local designers and maybe a few more technicians, we know that each and every one of the cadets will leave with a bigger love for the arts and will remain lifelong arts patrons with a distinct appreciation for what happens behind the scenes.”
Photo by Erika Cain
Gracen Rawlinson, Theatre Memphis Tech Academy
Continued learning, growth, and engagement are important for Tech Academy to aid in the success of participants’ futures. “We added up to the age of 19, hoping teens taking a gap year might want to continue to try out new things while they are deciding on their future,” says Caspersen. “This year in fact, we will be hosting our first gap year intern. She will come in three days a week and learn side-by-side with all of our designers. Throughout the year, she will get to assist one show in costumes and one in lighting, as well as learn to weld and do some electrical work, and be introduced to vectorworks. It will be like an apprenticeship for her.”
Post Tech Academy, Theatre Memphis has a program called SkillSet, slated to launch soon with the first training session of the year in August. This is also a free training program for adults who want to be more involved both at Theatre Memphis and in the arts community at large. “There are lucrative jobs to be had backstage, theatre, and design beyond working in theatre,” says Caspersen. “Big corporations all have a need for tech and A/V staff – Fedex has a whole team. Marketing these days is all based on storytelling and video (which needs lighting and sound people). But as for Tech Academy, we try to make it as easy for kids to get involved as we can — we expect nothing, give all the training for free, and honor those who go above and beyond. It’s really kind of a special program.”
I got a chance to meet some of the wonderfully talented and committed participants in the Tech Academy program and here’s what they had to say about their experience.
Kaylee Webb
Kaylee, a sophomore and homeschooler, has participated in Tech Academy for three years and is secretary of the council.
“Before Tech Academy, I had zero knowledge of how much work was put into shows and all the jobs backstage,” says Kaylee. “But now through all the workshops and how kind and open all the people here are, I can now go out to several theaters in the area and be confident in my lighting, costuming, and stage managing abilities, as well several other disciplines.” Kaylee is mostly excited about learning a variety of skills while having fun in a theatrical environment, as well as making friends who share the same hobbies and interests.
Maggy Louderback
Maggy is a college freshman at Ohio University, and has spent two years in Tech Academy.
“Tech Academy has been an incredible experience for me and has seriously helped to improve my technical skills,” says Maggy. “Unfortunately, my school does not have a very strong technical theatre program, but Tech Academy has helped to fill the gaps in my previous experience. I have had hands-on practice volunteering in the costume shop and working on the run crew of Mary Poppins Jr. This experience has helped make me a stronger techie.”
Maggy hopes to take away lots of experience that will help her later in the college technical theatre journey.
Rylee Riegel
Rylee, a senior and homeschooler, is president of the council and is in her second year in Tech Academy.
“The workshops and special opportunities have really expanded my skills and abilities, giving me new ones that can be applied across many fields and circumstances — wiring a plug, paperwork, basic painting techniques, and teamwork and communication skills,” says Rylee. “We took a tour at the Germantown Community Theater, and then got to stay and watch a performance of Spamalot. It was amazing!”
With the national shortage of theater crew professionals, in part due to the post-Covid effect, securing qualifiable craftspeople, budgets, just to name a few, Rylee states, “I’m thrilled to be learning these skills, not only to be able to pursue a career in the backstage industry, but to build and adapt the skills to fit many possible careers.”
Gracen Rawlinson
Gracen is a junior at Harding Academy with two years in Tech Academy.
“Tech Academy has helped shape my skill set by letting me volunteer in places like the costume shop, and by offering classes on what we are interested in learning,” says Gracen.
Gracen continues to look forward to meeting new friends and learning skills that will carry over into her future.
Theatre Memphis provides an array of community outreach and enrichment programs for young people — believing that the performing arts has the power to transform lives. The organization’s outreach and education programs work with adults, children, teachers, schools, communities, and organizations to bring the power of live theatre to everyone.
Up next is the Grease musical (one of my faves) that kicks off August 16th, and hey, maybe you’ll catch me backstage cheering on Rydell High. Or, perhaps sprinkling confetti from the ceiling tops. Hmmm.
To learn more about Theatre Memphis’ Tech Academy, visit theatrememphis.org.