Winging your way...Tech I finishes it"s first project

The beginning class has completed it's first project, birdhouses. This project combines basic carpentry skills and attention to detail in finish work. Each and every student did a great job this time around! Congrats guys! Here are a couple of beautiful examples of what was accomplished:




Birdhouse by Oscar




Birdhouse by Alex

Allison Wonderland - Finished!

The concept is that of a twisted fairytale. The challenge being to create multiple scenes with a small budget. The answer: Paint and a few key set pieces. The giant storybook and radiused staircase were great projects for my carpenters and the floor was a tour de force for my painters. Congrats guys!

Riverside Tech Blog accepted into showcase

Tri-fold display for Instructional Technology Showcase

The Riverside Technical Theater Blog has recently been accepted into the PepsiCo K-12 Instructional Technology Showcase at Rogers-Herr Middle School on May 31st. Above is a picture of the beginnings of our display.

X-Box Chair - Tech One

X-Box Chair

Many of my students have gone about customizing their Adirondack chairs, but none more so than my student Ashton who has created this awesome gaming chair complete with a drink holder, controller box and umbrella stand.

Radiused Staircase_ Tech II, III,IV

radiused staircase framework


For the Spring Chorus show, Allison Wonderland, we decided to build a radiused staircase for the ballroom scene. I enlisted the help of local carpenter and staircase guru, David Rogers who has been working with my kids for the past three weeks. David is a master craftsman and an excellent teacher whose expertise and patience has made for a singular experience for the students and myself. Thanks David! More pictures to come.

Allison Wonderland - Tech. ii, iii, iv, v

My advanced class has been busy building the Spring chorus show which is a take off of fairy tales and storybooks called: Allison Wonderland. The show will include a whimsical painted floor, a giant story book, an oversized poison apple and many more surprises.


painters get to work on the floor design






David helps construct the giant storybook


Derrin and Webster papier mache the evil apple

Adirondack Attack!!! - Part Two

Chris (my right hand man and gentleman about town) and I decided to challenge ourselves by building some real resort-style Adirondack chairs. Here are our first ones under construction, And yes, they are for sale.


This one is built out of reclaimed plywood.


This one is built from clear pine.


Adirondack - front view


Adirondack - side view

Adirondack Attack!!!

In February, Ms. Griffin (art teacher) and I came up with a terrific idea for a collaboration. For the PTSA silent auction in May, we decided to construct a series of chairs and then paint them in the style of different artists. My class is now in the process of building twenty of these little Adirondack style chairs and her students have already begun painting them. The silent auction will be held in May at our Spring Chorus Show.


seat slats


David and Webster make an assembly line for the seats.


a finished chair

Full house...

For the Spring Talent Show, I decided to do a series of gigantic playing cards as a scenic backdrop for the show. My advanced class built five 12'x16' flats to be used as the cards. Great job so far!!!


frames under construction - 1


frames under construction - 2


frames under construction - 3


King of Diamonds


King of Clubs


all five on stage

Tech theater audio documentary

My students James, Mannie, and David selected to do an audio documentary for their final semester project. During the process, they explored the worlds of field recording, interview techniques and studio editing. I think they did an outstanding job and I'm sure you will too. Here is the result of their efforts: LISTEN!

Here comes Santa Claus...

T'was the week before Christmas and all through the town
The elves were on strike and Santa couldn't sit down
With a crisis upon him and no seat for Saint Nick
He called up the Tech class, and we built him one quick!











Elves: Chuck, Cody, Valerie, Melanie, Jordan, Darrin and Mr. O

Happy Holidays from the Technical Theater Department!

Second screen complete! Tech. Level I

As we head into Winter break, a whole ton of projects are being completed. Not the least of which is this beautiful Japanese dressing screen. Bri, Webster, Jordan, Darrin and Chris all pitched in to put together this beauty...

Screen time...levels I,II,III,IV

Combining their painting and building skills, both the beginning and advanced classes have been creating folding screens with a Japanese motif. Photos below.

Meet the Crew - Part 2 - Caitlin Mattachione

This is the second in a series of posts designed to introduce you to some of the outstanding students in the technical theater department. Students profiled here have exhibited a strong work ethic, a spirit of collaboration and cooperation, and have produced work that is far above average.



Name: Caitlin Mattachione
Nickname: Macaroni, Big Red
Grade: Sophmore
Tech Theater level: I

What Mr. Overton says: Caitlin is one of the most improved students this semester. When she first arrived, she had little experience working with her hands, but she has since tackled a number of demanding projects and has succeeded in every endeavor. Her attitude is such that, even if she is having difficulty with a project, she remains positive and is able to see it through. Caitlin is very patient with her team members and is a joy to have around.

Caitlin's Five Questions

What was your favorite project?

A. "The birdhouse because it expressed my personality."

What has Tech Theater taught you?

A. "It taught me to just be myself and to express that in a variety of projects in this artform."

Q. What is your best subject?

A. "Math. Because I'm smart like that."

Q. What are your outside interests?

A."I love being active by playing sports like volleyball, basketball, swimming and track."

Q. What random fact do you know?

A. "That Chris Narron's favorite words are: Clean Up!."

Tattoo Sketches...

Artist Caitlin Mattachione

Tattoos and Tigers and Paint....Tech Theater I

Tiger skull drawing by student Maria Scholfield

For the last two weeks, the Tech Theater I class has been honing their drawing skills and bulding creative muscles through a series of projects. As a warm up, we have been drawing a variety of animal skulls, concentrating on the different planes of the bone structure and adding acurate pencil shading to our drawings.

As a project, students have been designing their own tattoos. The drawings must contain five elements of their personality combined into one composition. The point of the project is to have students begin to think symbolically about themselves and then transfer it to paper, using illustration as an allegory for their lives. It is a small step from designing a personal tattoo to designing an environment for a series of characters and is, in essence, the same process. Visualizing a set for a play will be a breeze after this project. Photos to follow next week.

Intro to furniture...

bookcase constructed by Joey Rollins

With our show over, both the beginning and advanced classes have transitioned into new projects. One of which, is furniture construction. We are starting with simple bookcases (pictured above) and will soon make the leap to chairs and ottomans. If you would like to purchase a bookcase for Christmas, please contact Mr. O as soon as possible.

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Finished....

Well, we're ready for opening night and the show is looking great. I'm so proud of my kids' progress throughout this build. Their skills have improved tenfold as is evidenced by the excellent carpentry, great paint job and professional attitude around the shop. They are truly doing work that is beyond their years and they deserve a big round of applause for getting this show on it's feet.

2 days to go...

Almost finished! You may view a slideshow of our progress from beginning to end here.