As the tech director now for a youth group I'll chime in
1. Do they need supervised even if the have been trained on the
system by professionals?
Yes, a supervisor/adult should be present anytime minors are in the building. With a school the school policy probably requires that a staff member be present. Now if that's the
theatre director/manger or the night custodian is going to depend on the skill and trust
level with that student and what they are there for. Students may get frustrated by this but remember, ultimately its the supervisors job and livelihood that's at risk should something happen.
2. Should they have a key to unlock the
system (not the booth or aud doors, just to unlock it to operate it)
I'm not sure on this one. When I was in HS I was regularly given the set of "tech keys" this has the dedicated key to the booth, windows and
electric winches.
Catwalk took a master key and the teacher always unlocked for us. The keys had to go back to him at the end of the work day. Can I honestly say I never abused this? No. I also can say that today, I certainty wouldn't want to climb mount Everest to unlock a window at the light booth and rather
hand that key to someone if I trust them. If I do that is going to depend on the student and my experience and trust
level. I know who that works around me that respects the equipment and that is the only person I would think about handing keys too. Most of that issue it not even an issue where I am now as nothing is locked except the building itself.
3. What stigmas surround students that operate tech in high school theatres?
#1- They are stupid and adults know better. This is so not the case- I find the students I work with far preferable to even veteran adult volunteers. So many bad practices have been developed in the community group I work with and often I see the adults setting such bad examples. The kids want to be there and they want to learn, they are far more apt to ask "am I doing this right" rather then just doing it an hoping for the best. Yes, they are young and not as mature and keeping an eye on them is good but the ones that don't want to be there will weed themselves out.
4. What good/bad experiences have you had with high school techs.
Recent production we put a 9 year old (supervised of course) on sound effects and she hit every
cue, every show spot on. Next mainstage show they did with a veteran op had far less cues and critical timing and that person never hit one right. I'll take the 9yo any day.
Kids are going to more work to be blunt- More questions, hard to get that phone out of their hands and will tend to be a
bit spacy. That the nature of kids, I continue to work on how I work with them but I can't say I've ever had any worse experience with students/kids than I've had with adults.
6. What is the best way we can support them in their passion for this?
Treat them like a young adult, let them to the work and let them run out the leash. If there is a task to do, let them give it a try and then coach them on the result. Don't stand behind them and micro manage them. No one likes that. Obviously if life
safety is involved don't let them loose, but then if that's the case they should be observing first and then walk through the process step by step many times over. Understand they won't be perfect because you're not perfect either. If they make a mistake don't yell at them for making the mistake, use that to teach them how to correct the issue. Above all have fun with them and show them you appreciate and support their involvement. Thank you cards, treat and snacks go a long way to make them feel welcome. If they really do love it get to know the parents as they often won't understand the skills that their kid is learning (Oh you just push a
button). Getting to know the parent allows you to help the parent understand this could be a career path and the time they invest picking their kids up at midnight is a good investment in their child.