The Arts Program at Los Osos is a vivacious and vital part of the student body.
While many might argue that this grand section of our high school is under-appreciated and goes unrecognized, some groups still thrive in excellence without the fruits of public acknowledgement.
Theatre Tech, run by Drama Director Randy Shorts, is a class offered at LOHS, and houses many students eager to learn the ins and outs of behind the scenes.
Four times out of the year, spotlights shine on the performers of the Drama Department. However, the students of Tech help their peers sparkle on stage, all the while masked by the tech booths and catwalks of the theatre.
These students help Shorts design, create, and organize multiple projects throughout the year, managing feats and successes that can not be compared.
I often find myself telling others, peers and not, how beautiful and pristine the sets at LOHS are. Almost always, when I tell people those sets are built by students, I am met with mouths agape, incredulous awe glinting in their eyes.
The Haunt, the renowned haunted maze set up in the theatre, attracts hundreds of students and individuals from our community every year. Students, theatre kids and technicians alike, perform in the Haunt, often scaring the daylights out of their audience every October.
However, when people go through the maze, laughing at how amazing the experience was, many don’t realize students working the maze helped build its twisting walls.
From concept to construction, the students of Theatre Tech help see the Haunt through in every aspect.
I was able to interview students from the class during August.
Sophomore Lukas Dilonardo said, “I joined tech because I want this [theatre tech] to be my career, and I heard I could get a Career Technical Education (CTE) certificate.” Dilonardo is smart when it comes to his future, many tech students are.
If taken for two years, this wonderful class offers students the ability to work professionally as a technician once they graduate high school.
Senior Lillie Lopez said she joined Tech because of the community. “I know a lot of people here and thought it would be cool to learn things behind the scenes,” said Lopez. Tech is known as a tight-net group on campus, as they are often working late night together throughout the year.
Senior Jasmine Alvarado recalled her past when answering my question. “I’ve always had an interest in plays, and I liked to watch what happened backstage, and I was so excited when I learned they [LOHS] offered a program here,” said Alvarado.
Theatre Tech builds up experience, and many students have a previous interest in the technical side of theatre before even taking the class.
Junior Shaun Ward said, “I am looking forward to the new play.” As stated before, Theatre Tech helps build, design, and work the productions held in the LOHS theatre throughout the year.
“Beating a Dead Horse” is what Ward was referring to, which will be performed in November later this year. I recommend going to see it, as Shorts and his Drama students always execute their shows with excellence and perfection.
Junior Evynn Domenech is looking forward to “trying to build new things and the Haunt specifically.” I can not wait to see what she, and the rest of her peers, come up with!
Theatre Tech is the perfect example of community and experience. Many alumni of the class have managed to go straight into college with plenty of expertise and practice, going farther than the expectations of their professors and bosses.
From managing props, costumes, and set building for the theatre productions, to inventing the entire concept of the Haunt, these students are well versed in the habits of diligence and creativity.
They even set up events on stage in the theatre when other branches of the Arts Program ask for the space. The Dance Team wouldn’t be able to practice or perform on stage without the help of students laying down a marley dance floor.
Band and Choir students wouldn’t be heard at their performances without acoustic shells and risers, set up by tech students during school.
The Student Body of LOHS owes their deep-set appreciation and gratitude for Theatre Tech, and while these kids might act behind the curtain, a blazing spotlight should still shine on their hard work and dedication.