Engaging in the intricacies of constructing scenes, planning costumes and developing the props, Drama’s fall play set “Peter and the Starcatcher” is made possible by Drama director Danny Campbell and his Stagecraft class.
Behind the scenes, Stagecraft sets up the plays by splitting themselves into groups to work on tech where one group pulls costumes, one builds the set, one makes props, and one works on wigs.. For the fall play, Stagecraft is constructing wooden crates for actors to stand on and locations such as a dungeon or parts of a pirate ship.
“I normally have an idea for the set and then draw out a plan for [retired Walnut High School teacher] Mr. Yamashiro and I to build together with student help. This comes from analyzing the script, listening to music from the show and coming up with an overall concept for the play or musical,” Campbell said. “Once I hand off my design to the class, they can build models or draw out specifics.”
Before Stagecraft students make props for the play, they must first understand the plot of the play to visualize what they need to make.
“My favorite part about stagecraft is that I get to work with my friends,” sophomore Isabelle Gonzales said. “We get to work together to build the set so when I see it come together it feels kind of nice.”
Although Stagecraft does not perform on stage, they express their craftsmanship skills through the sets they build.
“I love stagecraft because I am able to set up the play to entertain the school,” junior Levi Cervantes said. “It also means a lot to me to be able to bring the play to life with all the props that we built.”
