7/5/2023
Education and Outreach
This process typically requires unloading semi-trucks full of sets, costumes, props and equipment — followed by hours of flawlessly installing every item without a second to spare.
And this summer, The Smith Center showcased the load-in process to teenagers who will likely be doing that work themselves, someday.
For the first time ever, The Smith Center invited 10 Southern Nevada technical-theater students to watch the load-in of “Tina — The Tina Turner Musical,” with crew members explaining all that occurred.
“The Smith Center team offered this experience to help nurture the next generation of theater technicians, who audiences never see, but who still play a critical role in every production,” says Melanie Jupp, director of Education and Outreach at The Smith Center. “This opportunity aimed to advance their continued learning in technical theater, by giving them to chance to observe and speak with industry professionals.”
As a nonprofit, The Smith Center selected students for this experience who had been nominated for the center’s 2023 Nevada High School Musical Theater Awards in the categories of stage manager, lighting technician and audio technician.
During the load-in for “Tina,” the participating students sat in box seats at the center’s Reynolds Hall. With a full view of the stage, they watched an army of crew members install a bevy of equipment and set pieces for this visually stunning production.
The students eagerly absorbed every detail.
“This gave me a ton of information and insight about theater tech, and things I want to change about my theater skills and setup,” says Ty Ciccotelli, 16, a student at Silverado High School.
He appreciated how Smith Center employees explained all the work of the crew members on stage. They also informed the students about The Smith Center’s preparations for numerous other kinds of shows.
Ciccotelli gleaned many details that he intends to apply to productions he works on, he says, including how to maximize organization on theater productions.
“I learned a lot about managing a setup of any (kind of performance), but especially a load-in for a big show,” he says. “There was so much that was said that I just didn't think about (before).”
This experience inspired her to pursue a career in theater, Ciccotelli adds.
“I want to go into theater tech or engineering. This just confirmed that,” he says.