Behind the Scenes with Shawna

Ever wondered what happens behind the curtain? We recently spent some time with Shawna Colville our Technical Director at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, Shawna Colville for a peek at what happens behind the scenes.

Question: What is a Technical Director?
Shawna: A Technical Director (TD) is usually one of two things. It is either an administrator for the technical team who ensures everything is kept on track and on time, or a master carpenter for the show who oversees the building of the scenery and keeps the backstage and props teams and on time and on track.

Question: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Shawna: At heart, I’m a carpenter and a scenic designer. I enjoy building and putting scenery on the stage and bringing something new to life.

Question: What is the most memorable set you’ve worked on and why?
Shawna: Alice and Wonderland! I designed and built it for the high school that I worked at. We went about it in a non-conventional way. The entire set was turf and curved surfaces.We also created a lot of traps, tricks, and other fun challenges

Question: What was the hardest set you’ve built and why?
Shawna: When I was a shop supervisor, I had to build a 1950s refrigerator that was a secret door to an immersive experience. You would walk into this kitchen and through the refrigerator, and it led into the immersive experience. The fridge was lined with LEDs on the inside.

Question: If I wanted to learn more about how to become a Technical Director, where would I start? What types of programs or training should I be looking for?
Shawna: WTA offers a Technical Apprenticeship program that covers scenery, props, and carpentry. Sometimes this program includes lighting and sound. It’s a hard path because the profession is not advertised. Getting hands-on, industry experience is the best way to do it. Colleges will have a lot of design-aspect programs but not necessarily a degree in carpentry experience. Most Technical Directors come from the scenic side of things because that is what we are most asked to do. Even if you are working in a community theatre or production shop, it can give you experience and exposure to other opportunities within the industry.

Question: A little bird told me that there is a new WTA Mainstage production announcement coming and you have experience with this show…
Shawna: I do! I had the opportunity in 2020 with one of the middle schools I worked with to design an underwater show which was a challenge with different locales being both under the ocean and on land. That was Little Mermaid Jr. I am excited to share that I will have this opportunity again with the full-production version of the Little Mermaid in 2025 for WTA’s Main Stage Show. I am looking forward to trying again to capture a different director’s vision and this will be my first scenic design for the Mizel Arts and Culture Center.