Stagecraft class introduces students to behind-the-scenes theater

Stagecraft instructor Deana Radtke shows off a production costume.

Story and photos by Elizabeth Holtz

The sound of sizzling hot dogs cooking over a grill. The scent of burger juices dripping into an open flame. Someone’s bringing out a plate of veggie burgers.

“Chicago,” the musical, plays from a small boom box. People gather ‘round to sing along. They enunciate each word correctly, with pizzazz. Could this be the right class?

“Welcome to Stagecraft,” says a voice from the crowd. Yes, this is Theater 111, holding its weekly Friday noon “meeting” at the loading dock outside Pima Community College’s Center for the Arts on West Campus.

“Stagecraft is an introductory-level theater class,” instructor Deana Radtke said. “We talk about theater in general from the dawn of time to the present and into the future. We talk about all things theatrical, mostly backstage.”

Students who want to learn more are invited to attend the weekly potluck barbecue. Any contribution, from homemade goodies to a bag of chips, is welcome.

Current and potential Stagecraft 111 students gather for a weekly barbecue.

Radtke is a product of PCC theater arts. She graduated in 1996, and has taught stagecraft at the college for two years. She also teaches classes in stage lighting and basic theater graphics.

“You can’t divorce what’s backstage from what’s onstage,” Radtke said.

Stagecraft 111 teaches students how to work in a show from pre-production through the performances to striking the set.

Students learn how to build sets. They also learn about costumes, props and scenery, and study different structures and styles of theater.

“You learn a lot,” student Robbye Dewitt said. “Not just about construction, but how much goes into a show. I like working with my hands. I like to be creative, and I like to use power tools.”

Potential student Kayla Hughes checked out the class, and hopes to enroll.

“I have a fear of power tools,” she said. “I would like to help out with other stuff, like making masks. I’d be willing to try it.”

Another potential student, Jodi Von Colln, is currently enrolled in a scene design class at PCC. “I want to take stagecraft,” she said. “There is still a lot I don’t know.”

Current student Robert Armentrout said the best part of the class was becoming confident that he knows what he is doing.

“It actually stems back to high school,” Armentrout said. “I’ve always liked building things and knowing about different kinds of ropes and knots and how the flywheel system works.”

Radtke said the first week of class is all about safety. Students go through extensive training and receive a tour of the Center for the Arts facilities. In the weeks that follow, they learn to use stationary and hand power tools.

“Stagecraft is important,” Radtke said. “It builds life skills and confidence.”

Radtke said the class prepares students to work in theaters outside of PCC, like Tucson’s Invisible Theatre or Gaslight Theatre. Some of the people who work in the Tucson Convention Center’s stage, costume and lighting shops graduated from PCC.

Todd Poelstra, technical director for the PCC performing arts department, said his favorite part about stagecraft is when students see they can do things they never imagined.

“Very few students come in with the experience of working with power tools or painting, sculpting or metal working on a large scale,” Poelstra said.

Poelstra took his first stagecraft class at PCC in 1978. He said that each show is new and different, even if you have done the production a thousand times.

For more information on classes offered and registration, visit www.pima.edu.

Masks from a production rest on a theater shelf.