“I’m going to teach you the four-in-hand knot. If you master that one, we’ll move on to the half Windsor, the full Windsor or the Pratt knot,” Sierra Service said as she passed around a bin of neckties. It’s an unusual lesson not often seen in high school classes, unless the class is theater technology and the unit is costuming.  

Service is the director of the drama program at SAIL High School and, along with her traditional drama classes and club, she has recently developed a theater technology course.

Students learn about stage management, sets, props, costumes, make-up, lights, sound and more. “The goal is for everyone to have a taste of everything and, when they see what they’re most interested in, they can tailor their projects to that,” said Service.  

For the past two years, Service has applied for and received an Art Education Grant from the Council on Culture & Arts. With the grant funds, she’s been able to build a collection of tools for her students to use in building sets and props for school functions, festivals and performances.  

Before they begin, students all learn how to use the tools safely. For that lesson, Service brings in her father, Steve Service who has worked in construction and as a home inspector. “He was talking to the class about safety. He had this fake thumb on and pretended to cut his thumb. It’s a ‘dad joke’ but it really made an impact,” she laughed.  

This year, students mounted a production of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a complex show with period costumes and an elaborate set. For this and all other shows, students do their own research and develop production concepts for Service’s approval. 

“It’s the same as in a theater where you’d have a team of designers who come up with ideas and present them to the director. In this case, the director is me. I’ll take their ideas, give them feedback and we’ll figure out what we can make happen,” explained Service.    

Students are encouraged to consider the cost of materials, timelines and possible construction challenges. This process teaches a variety of skills including “accountability and teamwork,” said Service. “Also, realizing that you may think you know how to do something but other people with more knowledge and experience might have some good advice that might help. Being able to accept that and adapt is important.” 

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