STEWARD ARTS
Constructive Coursework
Upper School technical theatre students gain real-world skills through hands-on projects .
12 | The Colonnade
The Steward School promotes hands-on learning as a key component of every student ’ s curriculum . This concept couldn ’ t be represented more fully than in technical theatre class , in which Upper School students use critical thinking and independent work to solve real-world problems .
Upper School technical theatre teacher and Performing Arts Department Chair Andy Mudd teaches four sections of tech theatre for grades 9-12 , each containing a combination of beginning and advanced students . He begins the semester by covering the layout of the Lora M . Robins Theatre , teaching safety regulations , and discussing vocabulary . The rest of the course consists almost entirely of students creating the sets for each of Steward ’ s mainstage productions according to Mr . Mudd ’ s designs .
Mr . Mudd bases the structure of the class around the “ Abigail Rule ,” a concept named in honor of alumna Abigail Herring ' 16 , who said she learned more by being thrown into a project rather than taking weeks to learn through lectures .
“ I would rather students physically create things as I watch to make sure they ’ re doing it right , rather than me explain everything ,” he said . “ Sometimes students prefer to work independently and sometimes they need micromanagement . But at the end of the process , they ’ ve all created something .”
During the construction process , a typical class will begin by discussing a list of projects that need to be completed . Students are then broken into smaller groups or pairs to
complete each project , which can range from building platforms , painting a set piece , or creating props .
“ We don ’ t have desks and we don ’ t sit down — we ’ re always moving ,” said junior Carter Patterson , a Tech Theatre III student . “ It ’ s interesting to see how the real-life application of other subjects in school , such as math , comes together in the creation of something .”
Sophomore William Glazebrook added : “ There ’ s always something to do or something to work on . It really allows us to use creativity because we ’ re given some freedom with our projects .”
The course also involves real-life problem solving : students must work efficiently and correctly in order for the play to be successful . “ They have to build something that someone ’ s going to stand on that can ’ t break ,” Mr . Mudd said . “ They have to create a door that can be slammed but won ’ t fall apart . They have to build something that someone has to climb up and over , so it must be strong enough .”
One of the biggest benefits , however , is the satisfaction that students gain from knowing they made something entirely on their own .
“ I really want people to understand that , when you come and see a Steward show , the entire set is student-built ,” he said . “ I can go through the set for each show and tell you who built every single thing . I think it gives students a huge sense of accomplishment to be able to say , ‘ I did that .’”