Owensboro High School has hit month two of its Tech Theatre partnership with the RiverPark Center, training students on the behind-the-scenes production of the different performances at their school.
Over the last year, the school replaced their 12-year-old technology system and during the decision-making process, Coordinator of Fine Arts Tom Stites called upon RiverPark Center Executive Director Rich Jorn for some help.
Once they had planned out the equipment, Stites mentioned how it would be beneficial for Jorn to teach some classes to the students and help get more students involved in the work that happens off stage.
“We have these dedicated art students, hundreds of them at the high school, and so we wanted to make it so that our high school students have the opportunity to learn about auditorium tech — the lighting and sound systems in particular,” Stites said.
The school already has a tech theater class where students make sets, costumes, and learn some of the technical skills but many students aren’t able to take that class due to scheduling.
Now, with the partnership, Jorn comes in during once per week for the Tech Theatre class and then comes after school for the Tech Theatre Club on Wednesdays.
The students are in various areas of the arts field, including some vocal and instrumental students. Over the course of the semester, the students have been learning how to work soundboards, lightwork, set cues and other tools.
Since the club is for students who are not in the tech theatre class, Stites hopes to have the students use their knowledge to prepare the booth and tech for their own shows or for other performances throughout the school.
OHS freshman Georgia Calhoun said, “I hope to be able to have another way to be in the arts and more access to this theater world and music world and just be able to learn new things.”
