GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — It is an exciting glimpse at what could be for some theater students in Guilford County Schools.
For the first time ever, the Tanger Center for Performing Arts is opening its doors to local students for a behind-the-scenes look at all of the operations inside. The students were divided into three rotating groups.
One group learned about what happens at the front of the center, things like guest services, hospitality, and ticketing.
While another group headed to the balcony to see things from that perspective and learn about careers in maintenance and security and more.
And yet another group was all about production. Not just the technical aspects like lighting and set design, but contracts and riders and management.
And even though the students have all been a part of their high school productions, it was still eye-opening for them.
One of the students, Kate Sheppard, said she was glad she got the chance to see the behind-the-scenes operations.
“I learned a lot about the lights and sound. It’s a lot less complicated maybe than I thought it was, because when you watch the shows, you see all these shows and you’re like there must be thousands of people like they’re trying to get all this done. But it’s just getting to meet the people who just they can click a button and it’s just lights everywhere and sounds everywhere. It’s really nice to meet them.
Julia Outlaw, another student, said, “It was really cool because a lot of the places that I’ve been, it’s not as big of an area like backstage, but like they have a huge area down there for all of the all the actors and all the people that work and stuff, so I really liked seeing the differences and like I want to pursue a career in this so kind of preparing myself for the future in a way.”
The day was the brainchild of Madeline Mudd, the Marketing Coordinator for the Tanger Center. She just graduated from High Point University in May and knew she wanted to create a program like this when she had the chance.
“I was just in these high schooler shoes just a few years ago, and as a performance student I always knew I wanted to do something in theater, but wasn’t sure what,” said Mudd. “So being able to learn all about the different avenues and things like that. That’s something I would have loved to have as a high schooler, instead of waiting until college to learn that.”
The day helps to show the students their futures are only limited by what they think they can do.
Leigh Ann Little is the Guilford County Schools Director of Arts Education. She said, “People don’t get this experience. No one ever gets to go backstage unless you are here for production or you know somebody or you work here. And so to see all of the special things that are behind the scenes is amazing. And I’m really hoping that it’s going to encourage students to continue their experience in theater, but also maybe continue in things like sound design costume design art making because there’s so many things that are intertwined with theater to make these productions happen.”
Sheppard said it was an experience she won’t soon forget.
“I just got accepted to apply to State University. Actually, I’m hoping to do something with digital marketing and maybe incorporate my love for theater with that. And so like getting to see that people have jobs like in this industry, like getting to meet them. It’s really nice. It’s kind of encouraging to, like, be like, oh, maybe I could
actually get a job in this in this field someday,” she said.
Both Tanger officials and Guilford County Schools are looking to expand this event in the future.
