Lighting the Way: A New Era of Tech Theater at Friends Seminary

This year, Friends Seminary Middle School students are stepping behind the scenes in an exciting new way. The recent renovation of the 15th Street Annex has transformed the McCray Theater into a state-of-the-art performance space, complete with cutting-edge lighting equipment that rivals Broadway theaters. This upgrade has not only enhanced the performance experience but also inspired the creation of a new Middle School Technical Theater class.

The McCray Theater now boasts a computerized Ion lighting board, a tool used in professional productions. With its ability to adjust color, shape, and movement at the touch of a button, the board has opened new possibilities for students to learn lighting design in a hands-on, practical environment. Performing Arts Department Chair Steve Borowka highlights the significance of this change: "Before, our equipment was stuck in the '90s—toggle boards that were great for their time but couldn't keep up with the demands of modern theater. Now, we’re giving students the tools to not only conceptualize but execute their creative visions."

In the new Middle School Tech Theater class, seventh and eighth graders are learning the fundamentals of lighting design, from angles and placement to color and intensity. This curriculum culminates in a collaborative project with the seventh and eighth grade Drama classes: a truncated production of High School Musical. While drama students will perform on stage, tech students will design and run the lighting, bringing the story to life through storytelling with light. Teaching acting and technical students in tandem has been a fun challenge for Middle School Drama Teacher Trent Williams. When talking with the class about what colors are associated with certain emotions, Trent says, “The gears start to turn. The tech students say, ‘Oh, it'll be cool if, when the character gets angry, the lights on stage turn red. Or maybe the light is focused bright red on their face to show that they're angry.’ And I'm like, exactly, exactly. Write that down!” 

The class also aims to prepare students for deeper involvement in technical theater, and will extend beyond lighting design to other technical aspects like scenic and costume design. “If they start here and get excited in seventh grade, that excitement can grow,” says Borowka. “In high school, they might design our major productions, something we’ve never been able to do before because of limited equipment.”

Currently, Friends relies on professionals to design and operate lighting for Upper School productions, but Borowka envisions a future where students fully manage these responsibilities. The skills students develop in the Middle School class will not only enrich their experience but also create a pipeline of capable tech students ready to take on leadership roles in high school productions.

While the new Middle School Tech class is currently distinct from the Upper School’s program, collaboration between the two is a growing possibility. “We’re exploring opportunities for Upper School tech students to assist with Middle School productions,” says Borowka. This mentorship could create a seamless flow of knowledge and foster community across grade levels.

The introduction of the new tech theater class also coincides with all Middle School plays now being staged in the McCray Theater, fully utilizing the advanced lighting equipment. The first of these productions was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring seventh and eighth grade students, and performed Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2025. Moving these plays to the newly renovated McCray Theater will elevate the overall production quality and give students a professional-grade space to learn and experiment.

The new Middle School Tech Theater class is just the beginning of a broader effort to engage students in all aspects of theatrical production, from acting to directing to technical design. With cutting-edge tools and expert guidance, Friends Seminary is equipping students to light up stages—and their imaginations—for years to come.

Images of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Dane Manary. Click here for a full photo gallery from the production.