Savannah Pennington
Staff Writer
At Florida Southern College, the magic of theatre doesn’t just unfold under the spotlight; it’s forged behind the scenes, in the paint fumes of the scenic shop, the quiet hum of light boards, and the creative, sometimes frantic, energy that pulses through the costume shop.
Here, a select group of students are mastering the unsung art of technical theatre and design through FSC’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre and Design program, a hands-on, deeply immersive experience that transforms behind-the-scenes enthusiasts into creative powerhouses.
“I think the knowledge base that they [theatre professors] have has really helped set the foundation for who I want to be as a theatre professional,” Abby Murray, a junior technical theatre major and the stage manager of FSC’s latest mainstage production, “The Little Dog Laughed,” stated. “The opportunities I’ve had here have helped build and pave the way to the professional jobs that I’ve had so far. Jim Beck, the technical director, his knowledge base and his approach to theatre have built the department to be what it is, and his approach to teaching has been vital in developing my eye for theatre and technical theatre.”
In the theatre tech program, you will find students rigging lights, designing elaborate costumes and turning raw materials into Broadway-esque sets. The program isn’t just academic; it’s a theatrical boot camp of sorts, with each class building creative muscle in areas like stage design, lighting, sound, costume design and stage management.
The curriculum kicks off with core theatrical skills, acting, improvisation and script analysis before students specialize in their chosen track. But no matter the focus, everyone is encouraged to try their hand at everything.
“I came to FSC to do technical theatre. The biggest aspect that drew me to this program specifically was the holistic approach,” Murray stated. “It was really important to me to find a program where I could double-concentrate, and try other things, and here it’s not only encouraged but in some aspects, it’s required. That sort of approach is really important to me.”
With the different types of concentrates students are able to broaden their horizons and educate themselves in different aspects.
“With theatrical training, you get either the conservatory, which is like a lot of focus and a lot of harping on one thing; you get to get really good at your one thing. Then there’s the holistic approach where you learn everything, and then still focus on what you want to do, and that’s important to me.”
In FSC’s Theatre Arts: Technical Theatre and Design Program, you’re expected to explore. That holistic approach makes you better at your specialty because you understand how the whole machine works. That “machine” comes to life during FSC’s annual lineup of five full-scale productions, as part of the Festival of Fine Arts. From lighting cues to stage cues, students drive the creative engine behind each show.
Captivating audiences through April 13 was “The Little Dog Laughed,” Doug Carter Beane’s play about love, identity and the tricky politics of fame. The play starred Danny Landin as Mitchell Green, a rising Hollywood actor navigating the fine line between ambition and authenticity. He’s joined on stage by Zach Reece as Alex; Lily Soergel-Harris as Ellen; and Olivia Foli as Diane.
“It [working on The Little Dog Laughed] has been really solidifying,” Murray stated. “This is my Buckner mainstage debut, so getting the chance to take everything I’m learning in my theatre management class and things that I’ve learned just in general through my time here was really like being put in the driver’s seat and just going.”
“It was fast, the turnaround from start to end was quick, but I think it was very much a golden opportunity for me to really settle in the position as a stage manager.”
Behind the curtain, an impressive crew of student designers, technicians, and managers bring the story to life with a minimal set and intimate atmosphere that places the audience right in the emotional crossfire.
The department also hosts the “Vagabonds Theatre Club,” which is the oldest running student organization on campus and remains active with fundraisers, organizing annual staged readings, producing biennial ten-minute play festivals, as well as fully staged studio productions.
Getting into the program is no small feat. Students may be accepted into the Theatre Arts: Technical Theatre and Design BFA program only through the submission of a portfolio in their area of expertise.
“Do everything,” Murray stated. “Try everything, learn everything. Never stop learning theatre, like everything else, but theatre is so you never stop learning and the moment you decide that you don’t want to learn anymore is the moment that you stagnate.”
For those who make the cut, the payoff is huge; real-world experience, creative freedom and the kind of mentorship that sets students up for success far beyond the college stage.
