The cast of last year's "Elf" production bowing to an elated audience proudly after a smooth running performance. Productions as phenomenal as these would be impossible without the great assistance of Wilsonville's tech program!
The cast of last year’s “Elf” production bowing to an elated audience proudly after a smooth running performance. Productions as phenomenal as these would be impossible without the great assistance of Wilsonville’s tech program!
Mia Poppe

The art of community

Community found in technical theater at Wilsonville High School; what’s it like?
Byline photo of Sofia Kerner
Sofia Kerner, Staff Writer
December 2, 2024

Community: It’s debatably half the importance of extracurricular activities. In addition to one’s passion for an activity, community can be the determining factor in whether someone chooses to quit or further pursue it. Technical theater at Wilsonville High School prioritizes a community that keeps people enthusiastic about their endeavors and exhilarated to come back.

Of course, technical theater workers sweat to get their job done. The sometimes forgotten backstage workers are the foundation that allows production to transform from actors on a stage to a composed theatrical work, so inevitably, technical workers hold high responsibility for themselves. 

This means technical theater programs are held accountable for creating the scenery, backdrops, lighting, costumes, sound, etc to establish the period, place, and mood, as well as a smooth running production. 

However, the job at Wilsonville is more deeply rooted than piecing together a play. Wilsonville High School holds a community of friendship as the fundamental attribute of technical theater.

Senior Molly Foster, a returning tech worker of all four years of her high school career, elucidates, saying that, 

Tech at Wilsonville does so by idealizing acceptance and habilitating new people to join their movement.

The entrance to the PAC, where some behind-the-scenes work can be spotted during productions put on by Wilsonville High School. Tech workers, as well as volunteers, can be spotted out here selling goodies to the audience, or standing passing out informational booklets, or working as ushers waiting to help out an audience member in need! (Sofia Kerner)

Transfer student Eva Rusu, a junior at Wilsonville High School, experienced this community and found the place she felt at home. Eva says, “It was my first time in the community, and I loved it. Everyone was super friendly, especially the tech crew who made everyone feel included.” 

Continuing, Eva does not discount the travail yet enthralling work needed for tech,

“I would recommend tech to people if you’re ready for the work and the stress that comes with it since we all work together as a team. But yeah, if you’re up for it then go for it because the community is really good.”

While the work is difficult and extensive, Wilsonville speaks for itself with the abundance of tech crew workers it contains: The community is prosperous, and it shows. People who enter the realm of tech love the community to such an extent that they find themself returning to the job for every production they find themself able to!