Area high school students interested in a career in theater will have the opportunity to learn from Broadway production experts at Proctors during the next two weeks.
Capital Region BOCES Entertainment Technology students will join their peers from other schools in learning backstage production skills and information from behind-the-scenes technical crew and experts from the touring production of Company, as well as experts from Proctors.
The day-long seminars and workshops will take place Sept. 26 and 28, as well as Oct. 3 and Oct. 5 at Proctors. Company, a Stephen Sondheim musical comedy, opens a two-week run at Proctors on Oct. 8.
“This is a great opportunity for our students to learn from industry experts as they prepare to stage a Broadway show,” said Entertainment Technology teacher Jeffrey Knorr. “They will gain experiences and learn skills they would not otherwise have the opportunity to, as well as make valuable connections within the Broadway community.”
Skills ranging from costuming to lighting and even directing will be discussed and demonstrated.
Students say they are excited to have the opportunity to learn from experts as those experts prepare to stage a production.
“I am looking forward to seeing it all, gaining the experience and meeting new people,” said Diego O’Connor, who attends the Entertainment Tech program from Niskayuna.
Classmate Jade Menzies was equally enthused about the opportunity.
“I am very excited to work with the Broadway tech people and meet all the different people, as well as learn about their jobs and gain more skills,” the Duanesburg teen said.
Housed in historic Proctors, the Capital Region BOCES Entertainment Tech program prepares students for careers in the entertainment industry – whether in theatre, film, music or other media. Throughout the two years, students learn about the many jobs and the skills needed to work in the entertainment industry, including set design/carpentry, lighting/stage electrics, sound design/recording, costuming, stage management, film/media, etc. They meet daily in the Addy Theatre, the Media Lab, rehearsal spaces and even the main Proctors theater and work on productions or learn from the crews that are working on those shows.