Hands-on weekly classes for students in Grades 5–8 to explore the exciting world behind the scenes!
Our Apprentice Program allows students interested in behind-the-scenes skills to learn from professional designers and skilled technicians.
Wolf PAC works to provide opportunities to those that are interested in learning more about the behind the scenes aspects of production. We offer each participant a hands-on experience where they have the opportunity to explore their interests alongside industry professionals.
The Apprentice Program offers students of all experience levels a well-rounded theatre education experience both on and off the stage!
Our Apprentice Philosophy
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In this six-week program, students will work with professional designers and technicians on the following areas of backstage theatre from pre-production to execution:
Week 1: Set Design
Week 2: Lighting Design
Week 3: Costume Design
Week 4: Audio Mixing
Week 5: Props Design
Week 6: Stage Management & Run Crew
This program will meet once a week for 6 weeks on Sundays from 1:00-2:30pm in spring 2027. This program will meet Sundays, 1:00pm-2:30pm. During each week, students will focus on one element of technical theater.
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To enhance independence and leadership skills
To learn more about the behind-the-scenes process from concept to performance
To collaborate with other students and designers
To hone and expand artistic skills through creation and building
To learn about vision, execution, and tracking of each element of backstage theater
To build skills in each individual design element
To operate technical equipment such as lighting and audio boards
To learn more about and be comfortable backstage in a new environment
To bridge the gap between Fine Arts & Performing Arts
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This week, we’re stepping behind the scenes to explore the incredible world of professional set design!
We’ll take a closer look at sets from well-known shows, uncover the creative thinking behind each design, and discover how every detail helps bring a story to life. What catches your eye? How does the set create the world of the show? And what elements are needed to make the magic happen?
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Once we know our show, we can start reading through the script to determine the locations throughout the show. Are we able to have the set stay the same throughout the show and add set dressing or do we need pieces to move and change throughout? What time period are we in? What area of the world do we live in? What are our main colors that are used throughout the set?
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The director has a vision for the show that we, the designers, help bring to life. The choreographer needs to know the amount of space they have to place dancers safely on and around the set. The colors of our set can affect lighting and costume design. The props in the show need to match the same time frame and style of the set. The audio team may have thoughts on where additional microphones or musicians need to be placed. It’s important to be mindful of floor mics or hanging mics when designing sets.
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This week we will be constructing a set model. We will have materials such as cardboard, paint, paper towel rolls, construction paper, etc. Working in small groups, students will collaborate with each other and their teacher (the Director) to create a set model. Students will take inspiration from professional sets of the show from Broadway and regional theaters. Each piece they build and color choice will have a purpose and thoughtful explanation.
This week, we’re turning up the lights!
Explore the world of lighting design, get hands-on with lighting consoles and fixtures, and discover how lighting transforms a stage and brings every scene to life.
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Looking at pictures, students will learn to identify different types of lighting fixtures. Students will also learn about gels and gobos and the process of installing them.
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Color, intensity, focus, pan, tilt, etc. When in pre-production for a show, what are our first steps? Once we have our script, we can start to mark moments that stand out to us as potential cues. Are there any specific moments such as blackouts, flashes, color shifts, etc? What is the mood of each scene and the show overall? Are there dance breaks or big musical numbers where effects would be useful? How can lighting enhance the story without drawing attention away from the performance?
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Using the Wolf PAC lighting console, students will learn how to program lights and build cues. Students will be taught the set up/technical aspect of the light board as well as the creative capabilities they can have when designing. What do each of the faders control? What is the order of operations when programming? What is color mixing and how can we do it in our Black Box?
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Working as a group, students will build light cues set to a musical number. They’ll work together to create a light plot and build a cue sheet. Each student will have time on the board to create different looks that match the energy of the song. By the end of the day, they should have a full cue list for the number.
This week, we’re bringing characters to life through costume design!
From the first creative ideas to the finished look, students will explore the process of designing, creating, and bringing costumes from concept to stage.
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Students will learn the process of designing costumes in professional theater. They will look at a measurement form and see what information we need from someone before we can start creating their costumes. They will learn how to create sketches and inspo boards and why it’s important to share with other team members. Students will then learn about fittings and making alterations.
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The main activity this week is creating sketches. With each student being given a show, they will draw or create costume sketches for individual characters. Important things to think about are colors that match the vibe of the show, if these characters need flexibility for dancing or moving quickly, if these characters have multiple costumes and if they need to be full changes throughout the show.
This week, we’re getting hands-on with the world of sound!
Students will learn how to set up body microphones, fine-tune audio levels, and experiment with EQ to make every voice sound its best. It’s time to turn up the volume and bring the sound of the show to life!
(EQ stands for equalization. In sound, it means adjusting the balance of different frequencies (high, middle, and low sounds) to make audio clearer and more balanced.)
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Students will listen to a Broadway song recorded in a studio then the same song in a live recording to determine what similarities and differences they notice.
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Using the Wolf PAC sound board, students will learn what each of the faders, buttons, and knobs do. They’ll learn how to adjust frequencies and when they will need to. Students will then learn how to set up our microphones to the correct channels and frequencies.
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Students will work in two groups. One group will be wearing mics, while the other group adjusts levels on the board, then they will switch. Students at the board will change levels and frequencies when other students are speaking. They will notice the differences between each student and what it is like to EQ live.
This week, students will look at pictures of professional props from well known shows and determine the intention behind each design!
What things stand out? What specific things do we think the script calls for and what do we think was a creative choice?
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Once we know our show, we can start reading through the script to determine what is needed for the show. Once we have what the script calls for, we check in with the director to see if there are any additions for their vision.
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Students will work together to go through a script and determine some props that are required from the script and a few that could be added to enhance the story.
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Working in groups, students will be assigned a show and challenged to create three props they think would help bring its story to life! Using a variety of materials—including construction paper, markers, cardboard, fabric, and glue—students will put their creativity to work as they design and build their props.
*Examples of props students can build (the Grimmerie from Wicked, Rafiki’s staff from the Lion King, jellyfish umbrellas in Spongebob, chimney sweeps in Mary Poppins)
This week, it’s time to take charge behind the scenes!
They’ll discover what it takes to keep a show running smoothly by exploring the roles of a Stage Manager and run crew. From organizing rehearsal notes and calling cues to setting props, marking the stage, and helping with scene changes, students will learn how the behind-the-scenes team keeps the magic happening from start to finish!
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Students will learn how to properly write down blocking and cues in a stage manager’s script. They will understand stage directions and how to best mark them in the script. Students will also learn the difference between a blocking script and a calling script. Students will practice best techniques when calling a show from the script.
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Students will learn how to set up and arrange a prop table backstage. Working together, they’ll gather props and tape out and label where they belong on the backstage table. Students should be able to organize props the same way each time after they are used in scenes.
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Students will work together to spike set pieces throughout the blackbox, then work together to run through transitions. They will learn how to communicate in a fast paced environment and accurately set up for scenes.
Apprentice Program FAQs
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The Apprentice Program is open to students in grades 5-8.
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Yes! Many of our Apprentices are also actively involved in other programs at Wolf PAC.
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The Apprentice Program is, first and foremost, an educational experience. The students that come through the program gain the skills needed to execute the positions they are learning about (directing, costuming, etc.). Working alongside the professional team of designers and directors, the students gain connections that they can take with them beyond their time at Wolf PAC.
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The Apprentice Program is run by Wolf PAC’s Production Manager, Nick Taddeo.
Nick Taddeo, Production Manager
nick.taddeo@wolfperformingartscenter.org
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