How vital is high school theatre?

[moderately_clueless]

I'm a junior in high school and plan on going on to college to major in tech, lighting design or stage management specifically. And although my high school theatre program is good, I'm wondering if I would be better off working at an outside theatre. Partially because some people entertain themselves by making my pursuits in theatre more difficult than they have to be, also because high school theatre in general is limited. I've done some work on shows outside of my theatre and I have a regular job working sound and so far I've done fine outside of my school. The only difference is that at outside theatres, I don't get any experience managing or designing, just doing what I'm told, while at school I have chances to be crew chief or stage manager. So, if I have college in mind, is high school theatre enough?

[Footer]

Yes it is. Very few programs are snobby enough to go "well you have only done theatre at your high school". I have said this before on this board, and i usally get yelled at for it, but most programs do not look at how great your shows where in the past, they look at what you did, and want to know why you did it. They are not looking for the person that knows everything (and if you think you are that person, you are wrong, and most programs don't want that person). They are going to look at the potential that you have. They want to see your eye for design, your work ethic, and most importantly your willingness to learn. No college expects you to know everything, because if you did you wouldn't need school, right? If you can get outside work it sure doesn't hurt to get exposed to other things, but stay at you high school, don't be a snob, and do your work. Take lots of pictures, keep everything, and remember that anything you do have a reason why you are doing it. Also if you can take any art classes while in HS do it, and put it in your portfolio. Most importantly have fun while you can!

[Van]

I agree wholeheartedly with Footer. Schools don't want the guy who already knows everything for a student, that's what they have instructors for. Get as much expirience as you can get a good background. What are you interested in specializing in ? Or are you? I could certainly steer you in a few directions of what I look for in an overhire carp, electrician, etc. Definately Keep active with the High school theatre Dept. as hard as it may seem to beleive you will pick up on stuff and personally I'd rather see a resume' cross my desk that says a guy in highschool was an S.M. or Crew Head, Master Carp. etc then to see an over blown reference like " assistant Case motivator" for the '38 special concert at the Wakaneenee Falls County Fair and swap meet. Colleges and most people in posistions like mine know the difference between somone who applies themselves in a school program and excels and someone who is going out working gigs pushing boxes. I'm not saying you shouldn't take those gigs but be aware that we understand those gigs are usually like you releayed them, " Hey Newbie go do this !" or "Go do That." I'd rather know you had an inkling of how to handle a crew, than know you were expirienced in finding the pink wood stretcher. That's my 2 cents worth.

[moderately_clueless]

Thanks. And so far I'm focusing on lighting, sound and stage management, come college I may work on being an electrician, or any other opportunity that presents itself. I just need more experience in different settings to see what I want to do specifically. But I'm working on just about every technical aspect at my high school, so I could go any direction.

[Footer]

Where are you looking to go to school? Also being an PSM with a lighting backround is a big big plus. Most lighting people start out as an electrician then move up to a more design role, so do not feel that you do not need to get your hands dirty (and from the sounds of it you are wanting to). A general rule in theatre, at least when you hit the door of a new space in the bottom rung of the ladder, NEVER say i can't do that, ask how, and never say no (unless they are asking you to do something stupid like walking an electric). Always try to be the first one in the truck grabbing gear, and getting going. Put yourself out there and people will give you more responsibility. Also, keep contact information of anyone that you work with for any period of time, you never know when it might come in handy.

[Capi]

Originally Posted by Van

I could certainly steer you in a few directions of what I look for in an overhire carp, electrician, etc.

I'm interested. What do you look for?

[Footer]

Originally Posted by Capi

I'm interested. What do you look for?

Well for a carp... fingers... and for an electrican... eyebrows....

[Van]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

Well for a carp... fingers... and for an electrican... eyebrows....

Rolf Ditto

[Van]

Ok I just recovered from my laughing fit.Footer that was funny. it actually made my wife laugh ! < and she's an equity S.M. , they don't laugh at anything ! > Capi, to answer your question I really like to see a varied background. I think people who specialize in one particular small area are, a great thing, a valuble resorce, excellent to have in a crisis and generally a pain in the ass to have around the rest of the time. I beleive the best Technicians I have ever worked with have all come from bizarre backgrounds, and what makes our feild so interesting is that it is so easy to pull info from just about any feild of work and apply it to theatre.
I have to say I appreciate carpenters who A) have some real world framing experince. Nothing is a substitute for working in the "real" construction world I feel everyone should do it at least once and then get away ! far far away.
B) Have some technical drawing / drafting under their belts. I've worked with guys who could build the most beautiful birdhouse in the world with real old world craftmanship , but they never realized it was supposed to be 20 ft tall they thought those drawings were real sized ! < I'm exaggerating, I do that. a lot.>
C) Know their Hardware ! . Pretty self explanatory. But you'd be amazed at the number of times I've sent someone after a 1/4 knutsen spanner and they've come back with a 3/8" flugel valve !.
Last but not least
D) a Decent Freakin Work Attitude ! I've know guys that could build Beautiful birdhouses, in the proper proportions, in world record time, but nobody could stand to be near them in the shop or work with them on a crew. Personally I have never understood the Curmudgeon attitude, nor do I apprieciate it. If you're coming to work, along with your tools, lunchbox, and cd's you should pack your happyface !

I'll give you more on electricians later if you want. Gotta go build a pool.....

[Capi]

I didn't mean to hijack this thread but what you look for in electricians would be cool too. I'm starting college in about a week to major in theater tech. and I'm not sure what I want to specialize in, if anything. I'm sure I will get a broad knowledge base anyway, I just don't know precisely what I want to do.