Theatre Portfolio

Critical Reflection Essay

This semester in practicum throughout working in the scene shop has been one of the most hands-on, skill-building experiences I’ve had at ODU outside of my internship at WHRO Public Media. Most of my hours were completed in the scene shop, where I had the opportunity to pick up a diverse range of practical skills by working on Strings, the production that ran in November, and by concluding additional post-production tasks afterward that were assigned by the shop supervisor and director. I didn’t solely learn how to use tools—I acquired the skills of how to work safely, communicate effectively, and collaborate and work closely with a team in fast-moving environments. All these tasks showed me how each technical area aids the bigger artistic visualization of a show.

One of the most important and vital skills I acquired this semester was developing and becoming more comfortable with power tools and the various shop equipment. At the beginning, I didn’t have much experience, but by the end of the production routines I was with certainty and confidence cutting wood on the saw, using the grinder for multiple tasks, and using the screwdriver gun for long bits of time. I discovered very quickly that safety always comes first, if it was putting on goggles, checking equipment beforehand, and making sure the work area was all tidy and clear before starting a task. I had to use the grinder multiple times to shave down metal pieces, specifically on the steel clothing racks that were used as props in Strings. Sparks were flying all over the place, and a lot of people sometimes get nervous when they first see that, so I even found myself rationalizing to my group in which I was assigned how the grinder works and showing them myself that the sparks shoot away from you. Jim Lyden, who taught me initially, aided me confidence to handle the tool accurately and safely, and over time I also felt secure enough to help others through the tasks in which were given to us.

Beyond solely tools, I also acquired how to contribute to big-picture jobs and tasks. Much of the pre-production tasks for Strings included restructuring and reshaping the Goode theatre which included moving chairs, altering the stage layout, and preparing the theater therefore it would be more interactive for the audience and so they feel like they are in the performance. It was an all-around team operation, and it forced much communication, patience, and problem-solving. I must say taking the stage apart and then restructuring portions of it was physically demanding, but also incredibly satisfying. At one point, we were assembling a raised section piece by piece, almost like building a bridge. That was one of those moments where I realized how much trust and coordination goes into technical theatre. If one person is off, the whole structure can be uneven. My job was often to secure wood on top of existing pieces, and using the screw gun that high up was both scary and thrilling—my adrenaline was going.

Something I appreciated throughout the process was that Kat, the scene shop supervisor, and Jim would sometimes put me in a leadership role. They trusted me to organize small teams, explain tasks, or guide newer students so that we all stayed on the same page. It did not matter if we were moving scenery, cutting new pieces of wood, or preparing props, I was successfully able to step up, take the initiative and help keep us focused until the project was complete. I must say as I reflect, it made me feel valued in the scene shop, and it taught me that good communication doesn’t  happen to always come from authority, but instead it is acquired from speaking visibly and clearly, checking in with people that you’re working with on a task , and making sure that everyone understands the vision and plan.

One of the moments that stands out most happened after production closed. I was assigned a post-production task to hang pieces from the ceiling using the Genie lift. It was a simple job, but it required precision, attention, and trust in my training.  Let me add, managing and operating machinery above the ground level is never something to hurry and rush on, so I had to thoroughly make sure everything was secure and intact like the legs of the genie before rising into the air. Finishing that task by myself made me conclude how far I had come from the beginning of the semester. I also aided the team in moving a very large, heavy box from the second floor of the Goode Theatre to another building, which necessitated coordination, force, and a great amount of communication to get the job done without any injury. These types of experiences like that educate me that teamwork isn’t just about working together, but instead it’s about keeping each other safe and making sure everyone who is working with you succeeds.

When I think about the collaboration and the teamwork side of practicum in the scene shop, there were plenty of high intensity and stressful moments, but one of the most stimulating involves reconfiguring the stage for Strings because all of teamwork and communication was involved, but it got complete. The team had only a restricted amount of time to get everything convened, tested, and made safe for performers during the show nights. Kat was guiding the plan, and Jim was giving out specific tasks, but there were still many moments where we had to problem-solve on the spot within a short amount of time. If a piece of the stage didn’t fit perfectly, we had to adjust instantly all without slowing the build. By staying concentrated, all while supporting my teammates in the scene shop, we were able to complete the stage in time, and by seeing the cast and crew use it during rehearsal made all the hard work worth it in the end.

This semester also helped me understand how interconnected every area of production truly is. The work I did in the scene shop wasn’t just “tasks” that were given by my superiors but instead it was part of a larger vision. Every board and wood I cut, every artistic piece I hung, and every modification we made to the stage closely affected how the actors moved during the production, how the lighting was created, and more importantly how the audience had the opportunity to experience the story. Let me add technical theatre is not separate from performance but instead it permits performance. What I built during my time in the scene shop sculpted the world of the play. Seeing all the multiple hands and groups come together made me realize the remarkable collaboration involved telling one amalgamated story.

Overall, I learned a lot this semester. I learned a lot about tools, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. But more than anything, I discovered how vital every single person is to the success story of a production. Whether I was grinding metal, building platforms, reshaping the theatre, or hanging pieces from the ceiling, I saw directly how every task, no matter if it was big or small, aided the final show. I must say I’m very proud of the skills I got, and I know I’ll carry all of them into my next production with more certainty, leadership, and appreciation that I ever had before for the work we all do behind the scenes.