One of the best things about being in high school is the extracurricular activities that take place. And one of these is participating in the theater program. For many students on many different paths, the theater is a way they can find camaraderie and meaning. For teachers and staff, it’s a way to connect with the school, students and community.

So, in order to fully understand these benefits, the community should understand the program. Part of that understanding is knowing what goes into making a school musical or other theatrical production. From stage lighting crews to the actors themselves, these productions involve tons of people and many hours of coordinated work and effort.

Wendy Oltmanns, the theater teacher at Viewmont High School, knows what it takes to make these productions work. For the class Production’s Theatre Company which she teaches, students learn the different aspects of putting on a show. “My passion is storytelling; stories invigorate, encourage and enlighten,” said Oltmanns. “It is through storytelling that our memories live, that we learn how similar we are, and learn to accept and love.”

From set building to choreography, by the time students complete Oltmanns’ classes, they have a better grasp of what it takes to work in the theater industry. However, no matter which high school program is completed, all theater teachers agree that these classes help students learn how to cope better in the world. 

“It’s a way to meet new people and make new friends,” said 11th grader Jacob Bush. “I can use my talents to help people, and it will be helpful for future jobs with knowing how to stay calm and good with communication.” Bush will be portraying Daddy Warbucks in the upcoming production of Annie at the high school in April.

Auditions and character work

Gaining a cast is one of the first parts of putting on any production. Any good director knows that they can’t have a show without actors. The process of auditioning can be stressful, but it can also be rewarding.

“I started out loving singing,” said 10th grader Quincy Williams, who will portray Annie in the upcoming production. “My parents were involved in theater before and encouraged me to join. So, in elementary, I did tons of shows, including Annie. I’m so excited about being able to do Annie again.”

Character work in theater refers to developing a character for a theatrical production by analyzing backstory, motivations and emotional range to create a believable and compelling character for the audience.

Oltmanns had every student participating in the show do some character work before they started rehearsals. This included researching the play, who they were portraying and what the character would wear for clothing during that time period. 

“I’ve always loved storytelling, even as a kid,” said 10th grader Evie Cook. “I get to portray people who aren’t me. “I feel like I was pretty destined that this was what I was going to do.” 

Costumes

Creating a costume for any show requires collaboration and creativity. Putting together a costume for a theatrical production can be a fun and creative process. Working closely with the director and the actors can help to create costumes that enhance the production and bring the characters to life on stage.

While many of the kids had difficulty coming up with their costumes, Oltmanns was there to assist. She worked to help the students understand how to gather their materials and develop the necessary parts of each costume. While the character for Annie may be simple to costume, a plain red dress with bloomers, the other characters had to create their costumes from available materials that the high school had on hand.

“There are a lot of great people involved in this production, and I can always ask for advice,” said 10th grader Ethan Nielsen. “It’s been really fun so far to be involved.”

Blocking, choreography and music

Blocking and choreography are important for a theater production because they help to create a cohesive and visually engaging performance. Blocking refers to the positioning of actors on stage, while choreography refers to the movement and dance sequences performed by actors. These elements work together to create a sense of flow and rhythm in the production.

These theatrical processes also help visually communicate the production’s story and emotions to the audience. Directors use them to highlight key moments and themes and create a sense of being throughout a performance. Good blocking and choreography help to create pacing and momentum throughout a production. They can be used to speed up or slow down the action of the play or musical and create dynamic contrasts between different parts of a performance.

Without music, there wouldn’t be a musical. However, even in a play, music is important. Music plays a significant role in any production by setting the tone, enhancing emotions, adding depth and meaning, smoothing transitions and setting the time period. It can create a sense of mood and atmosphere and highlight important themes and motifs throughout the production. Music can also help establish the characters’ emotional state by emphasizing their feelings and motivations through appropriate musical scores.

“I think “Maybe” is my favorite song because it’s really tender, and I like to get into that part of the character,” said Williams. She also said that using pre-recorded music is easier than having an orchestra pit because there are better cues for her to follow on stage.

Set building and props

Building the set takes time, and for Annie, 12th grader Russell Fullmer even had to figure out how to build bunks beds with what was already available. 

“I just show up when I’m supposed to and do what I’m told,” said Fullmer. “Tech is better than acting because it’s more hands on, and it’s fun, so I keep doing it.” Fullmer has been involved in theater productions since seventh grade.

Set building for any production involves multiple steps to create a visually captivating stage design to complement the storyline and enhance the experience. Throughout the process, it’s essential to work closely with the production team, director and actors to bring the set design to life. The technical workings of each set must ensure that it functions properly and meets the needs of the production. 

Striking and cleaning the set 

Once the show is over, it all must come down. The students help with this striking and cleaning by sweeping the stage, taking down all of the backdrops and putting props back into their proper places for storage. This also includes dismantling the set and putting costumes away for use in a future production. “It typically takes three days to put the pit back together after a show,” said Oltmanns.

So, the most important part of any production, from a play to a musical, will vary depending on the student, director, teacher and anyone else involved. But auditions and character work, costumes, blocking, choreography and music, set building and props, and striking and cleaning the set are all crucial components to the success of any theatrical production.

Calendar of Events

Center Stage Showcase: Student-Directed One-Act Plays

Farmington High School

May 8, 9, 11, 12 at 7 p.m.

Tickets will be available starting April 14 at farmingtonphoenixathletics.com/event-tickets.

The Actors' Company will perform Emma (by Jane Austen)

Layton High School

April 28 - May 6

Tickets can be purchased at www.lhsproductions.com.

Sense and Sensibility

Northridge High School

April 21 - April 29

Tickets will be on sale at ridgedrama.com.

Annie

Viewmont High School

April 27 - May 1

Purchase tickets online at goviewmont.com/event-tickets.