At some point in your high school career you have definitely been in the Kearsley Auditorium. Whether it be for Drama Club, Honors Convocation, or simply meetings with Wiskur, every student in the halls of KHS has been in the auditorium. While sometimes, the production needs are low and less noticeable, the Tech Crew still works behind the scenes to make sure the event runs smoothly. Throughout the past few years, while the Tech Crew has gone through more updating, it has become strikingly apparent that the average viewer has no clue what it’s like up there, and it’s hard to blame them. The Tech Department has been a mystery since the early 2000’s and it is working steadily to change that.
The auditorium alone astounds people when they walk in. Generally because it’s hidden away from the main halls of KHS, people underestimate its size and production value. The Tech Crew work in what they call “The Booth” or “The Penthouse” depending on who you ask. Inside, there are two rooms, one for lighting and one for sound. Both contain boards that control their respective areas alongside large monitors to run presentations for the events we often see. To start with the lighting side, the room has the bulk of the common things you would expect, two spotlights (named Harrison Ford and Chuck Norris), a projector, the lighting board, a power tower that powers the sound board, and numerous file cabinets. Similarly, the sound room contains the sound board, numerous microphones, and cables. The sound room is smaller but is probably the one people know best, due to its large hatch opening to allow the Sound Operator to hear what the audience is hearing.
While Tech Crew may seem like a lot of lighting and sound, one of the other more well known aspects is film and video mixing. Currently, our film production is mainly during football season where we film what the audience sees on both our FaceBook page and in person on the big screen. While this aspect is less auditorium based, the crew is attempting to expand this focus, particularly with new members.
As our Lighting Operator and designer here as KHS, I have been campaigning to increase the artistry involved in the program. Similarly, my fellow member Jadon Craft, has said his main goal is just to “make it good and make it more,” which is the sentiment of most of our members. Currently, since most of our crew is either graduating or getting close, we are on the hunt for new members
to learn and grow with the program like we did. Both Jadon and I have been a part of the Tech Crew since our freshman year, and we strongly encourage underclassmen to join. Since I am now going into my fourth year at KHS and subsequently my fourth year in Tech Crew, I have seen the program grow and change. Throughout the past three years, the auditorium tech manager, Tony Gray, has increased production value significantly. He has fought for funding and education to the program above all else, allowing for students to learn where they fit best in production.
To my (admittedly small) knowledge of the program previous to my time, we are now entering a new era of tech. Now we are reaching out to the upcoming underclassmen and attempting to get this program back on track. To expand, we must expand those who participate in tech. If you or anyone you know is interested, I implore you to keep an eye open as we offer more opportunities and to come support us whenever possible.
