A Peek Behind the Curtain

When the curtain opens in Bardwell Auditorium, most people see the actors on stage, but there’s a world of creativity and collaboration happening just out of sight. When audiences walk into our theatre, they’re greeted by the lights, sets, and sounds that bring a story to life, but what they may not realize is that every detail has been designed, built, and operated by students. Our Technical Theatre program is where creativity meets craftsmanship and where students discover how much artistry and collaboration go into making theatre happen.

Technical theatre at Dana Hall is about far more than tools and tech. It’s about storytelling through design, translating emotion, atmosphere, and theme into light, color, texture, and sound. Students learn to think like designers, engineers, and problem-solvers as they create environments that serve both the script and the performers. They gain hands-on experience in lighting, sound, scenery, costumes, props, and stage management, often rotating through multiple roles to find where their passions lie.

One of the most rewarding parts of this program is watching students take ownership of their work. They transition from learners to leaders, mentoring one another, taking initiative in the tasks that spark joy, and learning to lean on the power of teamwork. It’s one thing to tell a student how to build a set piece; it’s another to see them teach a peer how to achieve the perfect paint texture, adjust a lighting cue with calm focus during the chaos of tech week, or take on the responsibility of stage managing a production.

Of course, behind every polished performance are countless hours of planning, problem-solving, and laughter within a program steeped in tradition. Bardwell is proudly decorated with the rich history of the Dana Hall theatre program, with posters and strategically placed props from shows long past, quotable moments from rehearsals hung in the costume room and booth, and the coveted “show tape,” a place where the entire tech crew signs their names at the end of every show. All of these lend themselves to the unique charm of the theatre and offer students an opportunity to “leave their mark.”

Our shop and booth become hubs of collaboration where ideas spark, challenges are met, and friendships are built. I often think that the heart of this program isn’t just in the finished set or the perfectly timed cue, but in the way our students support one another, learning to rely on teamwork, communication, and shared creativity. As the Director of Technical Theatre, I couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and artistry our students bring to every project. They remind me daily that theatre is truly a collective act, one that thrives when everyone, both onstage and off, has a voice and a role to play.

So the next time you take a seat in Bardwell, the lights dim, and the world seems to hold its breath, take a moment to think about the incredible student crew who made it all possible. From the first sketch to the final curtain, they are the unseen storytellers, crafting worlds, solving problems, and making magic behind the scenes.