The Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew has been honored by Stage Directions magazine in their “High School Theatre Honors Roll Call.” Click here to read the article on TEC and the other four honored programs, and to discover why TEC was selected as the best high school program in the southwest!
Jesse Anderson
Stage managing, the most stress, yet most fun you will ever have…
Stage managing a show, whether an amazing Black Box show, a breath-taking PAC show, or simply a good choir concert, is a lot of power. And as my favorite superhero Spiderman once said “With great power comes great responsibility.” Being a stage manager is unlike any other position on the crew because you must not only lead everyone else but you must be your own leader. You must embrace the fact that you have the power to answer your own questions as well as those of your fellow comrades. TEC, being an organization completely run by students, enables you as stage manager to make the decisions that need making. Of course Mrs. White, Mr. Bernstein, Mr. Strange, and Mr. Poole are always available to answer any questions and help you make these decisions, but taking it upon yourself to find the answer brings a whole new world of accomplishment into view. Now, as rewarding as this accomplishment may be, there’s also a somewhat of a scary side to it. What if I make the wrong decision? Am I doing this right? Is this good enough? When these inevitable questions pop into your mind, you can’t help but feel nervous about being so accountable. But don’t worry, I have the solution! A quote from another one of my heroes, Mrs. White. This came about on the wonderful day of my first night working as stage crew for the Holiday Spectacular. Now considering how the PAC was under construction at the time, this show took place in the PE Gym, and under these special circumstances, everyone in the audience, only 10 feet away from the stage, was able to hear the loud crushing of two huge Christmas presents crashing together. Who’s fault? Mine. Getting a little apprehensive I managed to smash my box, as well as the dancer inside of it into the one in front of mine, and to my great embarrassment, everyone saw. As we finished the scene change and ran off stage, I couldn't help but freak out, but Mrs. White was there to help me out with her wonderful words of wisdom. She told me that the reason she loved theatre so much was because whatever happens happens, it’s a live performance, there is no turning back, so all you can do is make the best of it, and if you mess up, oh well! Just do your best and that’s all that really matters!
Now with that said, it’s time I tell you a little more specifically about stage managing Midsummer Night’s Dream. If you are aspiring to be a stage manager, the Black Box is the best place to start! Working in a smaller theatre and a smaller crew may be a better idea than going straight to Zenith. On my crew, specifically, I worked with seven other people, and it was an absolute blast! After spending a week nonstop with them, I got to know them really well, as a group, as well as individually and even got to make up an awesome handshake with each of them! One of my favorite parts of TEC is the fact that it’s just like a family! But instead of the occasional fighting that you may do with your brother and sister, it is replaced by a very high sense of respect for those who you are working with. Knowing that no matter your position on the crew, all of them are important for the show to run smoothly and that therefore you must respect those in positions above and below you. Another one of my favorite parts about stage managing is the interaction you get with the cast (actors/actresses)! In the Black Box, it is the stage manager’s job to call times. One hour till places! Thirty minutes till places! Fifteen minutes till places! Five minutes till places! One minute till places! PLACES!!! The sweetest part is getting to hear their unified response…”THANKYOU!” Here again you witness the respect shared within all of theatre, whether it be between the crew itself, or between the cast and crew, it is crucial for a good show, as well as for forming those tightly knit bonds with friends that you will cherish and keep throughout the rest of your high school experience.
Stage managing was an eye-opening experience that I will never forget, and although I was nervous to take the initiative and sign up, I’m sure glad I did because it taught me a lot and brought me a whole new appreciation for theatre tech. So if you’re hesitant, don’t be, take a chance, try it, you will love it, I promise!
-- your fellow techie
Julie Maury
It all started as a freshman, he walked into the halls of Westlake High School with very little idea of what he would be doing his whole high school career. Sure he would do what every other high schooler in the country was doing at the time, take English, go to history, learn math, but what made him unique was his interest in tech theatre.
This student's name is Phil Gilbert Jr., a 1999 graduate of Westlake High School as well as a founder of the now illustrious Technical Entertainment Crew. From that point on tech theatre was his passion in life.
Following high school, Phil became a freelance lighting programmer working his way up the ladder in the professional world. On multiple occasions Phil came back to the Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew, helping with the lighting design for the annual dance show, Zenith, and on different occasions programming the light show.
In 2009, Phil Gilbert Jr., landed a job on Broadway. He is the projection programmer for the show Bye Bye Birdie. Making Phil the first student from the Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew to make it all the way to Broadway.
Travis Favaron
TEC President 2009-2010
The Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew is in the news! The Westlake Picayune wrote an article on the students of the Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew. Go ahead a take a look at what it's all about. Link below
http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/06/03/whs-technical-crew-flexes-muscle/
Travis Favaron
2009-2010 T.E.C. President
Looking around, I see all my friends excited and energized, but why? Didn’t we all just wake up during summer at 7 am to work for 5 hours at school? I don’t know why, but we were all very delighted to take a 3-hour bus ride through the flats of Texas to Dallas. Whatever it was, it must’ve been something fun.
And I’d have to say it was, what other high school organization can say that they went to a Cowboys football game for school-related purposes – and be telling the truth? But not just were we going to see the opening game of the newly renovated Cowboy’s stadium, we were going to be in a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium – on their opening game day. Is that even supposed to be able to happen for a high school football video crew?
Riding the elevator, travelling through the levels (it was very helpful knowing the newly designed layout without the tens of thousands of fans), and walking through the very same field-level entrance the Dallas Cowboys themselves would use later that night to make their star appearance. Their locker room, the cheerleader’s locker room, million-dollar party suites and a ridiculously sized ‘God-Tron’ LED screen all boiled down to one thing for us – the control room for the Dallas Cowboy’s stadium.
“Wow.” “No way!” “Incredible.” All of us little high school students were chirping in glee not only because of the sheer size and sophistication of the technology of the room, but because we already recognized it. The switcher, robotic cameras, graphics, RCU’s – we all knew how to use nearly every piece of equipment in that massive headquarters.
Through the state-of-the-art Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium, we had realized the true extent of this group, of this video crew. We’ll have fun for the entire length of the football season, we’ll spend hours upon hours with friends, but really, be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We are getting the knowledge to go directly into the field years earlier than others could imagine, we could go film college football – during college – and we could say that we were a part of the Television Broadcast Crew at Westlake.
Even if we don’t go choose this path as a profession, who else could put on their resume, that they (truly) have the ability to work their high school football video crew job at the NFL Dallas Stadium?
--Robert Jameson
Video Engineer
TV Broadcast Crew 2009
It’s the end of 5th period and what better of a class to end the day with than Pre-Cal. Yes, it’s the end of my school day, but Video Crew has just begun.
During 6th period Tech II, we start the process of loading our shiny new trailer to the brim with controllers, cables, chairs, and more insulation than you could shake a stick at. The people planning, coming, going, pushing and packing suddenly stop and as we close the back of the truck the bell rings. We say goodbye to all the people not in Video Crew, while other crewmembers outside Tech II join us on the bus. After some singing, discussion, chatting, and cookie munchin’ we arrive at the rivaling Lake Travis’ football stadium.
As excited as we were to get on the bus, we were doubly for getting off. It was an adventure! It was as if were setting up in the boonies – no – we were setting up in the boonies; yet we knew that we had the ability to soon turn it into an high definition video headquarters. And after two tree-mounted lights, some stairs, a few thousand feet of cable and a spider or two it was time for some true ‘bobby’ (barbeque). And being able to sit down and see everything in place, we had single-handedly set up state of the art technology in the middle of nowhere without a hitch – until the lightning alarms blared us all into a frightened silence.
After some nervous waiting (albeit gracious relaxation), the ball was kicked. “Take 2.” “Roll replay.” Ready Tanner graphic. “And… take 1.” And before you could say, “This is Westlake Football” it was over. The band was gone, their own stadium crew was gone, even the stadium lights were gone (temporarily) but we were still there. We re-filled the trailer, re-wrapped the cable, capped some cases and hit the road. It was 2 am, we were tired, we were semi-conscious, but best, we were home.
With what seemed like just a few touchdowns, we had already accomplished one of the most unique and daring adventures in the history of high school football videography.
What did you do Friday night?
-- Robert Jameson
Video Engineer
The Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew is in the news! Broadcast Pix wrote an article on the students of the Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew over the last few weeks. Go ahead a take a look at what it's all about. Link below
Travis Favaron
T.E.C. President 2009-2010
August 4th-7th, the T.E.C. officers will be out at the lake on the annual T.E.C. Officer Retreat directing the Technical Entertainment Crew in the right direction for the entire year. The extent of the planning varies from Football Video Crew in August, the T.E.C Lock-in in January, or as far as dance recitals in May.They will also spend a majority of their time making sure that all of the fundraisers are organized and planned for, so that they can take T.E.C. to London in March of 2010.
Besides the retreat being mostly about planning, there is another purpose. Building a bond between the officers for the entire year so that it will go as smoothly as possible. It is best summarized by the mission the officers abide by while on the officer retreat.
To build unity among the officers, prepare for the challenges of the upcoming year, and to ensure that this will be the best year yet for Westlake T.E.C.
As we near the school year beginning, our excitement grows to experience the greatest year yet for Westlake T.E.C.
Travis Favaron
2009-2010 T.E.C. President
On Feburaury 25th, the Eanes ISD school board passed a proposal to purchase all new video equipment for the Westlake Technical Entertainment Crew. This proposal included enough equipment to have be a fully outfitted video department in high definition.
On that day, Westlake high school became the first high school to purchase this much HD video equipment in the state. Students were on their way to having an incredible oppurtunity to work with the same level of gear as ESPN.
The first part of the installation begin in mid-April, right before the biggest production of the year, Zenith. For the first show in the new Performing Arts Center (PAC), the new video equipment would have to be used with only a few practices. Despite the time crunch the students in the video department for Zenith pulled off an amazing product.
Now, in late June, the final installation of the new video system is underway. All that is left with the install is the fiber backbone run between Chaparral Stadium and the PAC, so that the same control room may be used for both football games and theatre productions.
With the install almost being done, all of the students on the 2009-2010 football video crew are excited and eager to use the equipment in its final state starting with the first football game of the year.
Travis Favaron
2009-2010 T.E.C. President
In a public meeting of the Board of Trustees of Eanes Independent School District, the board voted unanimously to rename the Westlake High School Fine Arts Facility (FAF) to the Westlake Community Performing Arts Center (PAC). The building, which has just undergone its most significant renovation since opening twenty-five years ago, is a cornerstone of the Westlake Community.
David Poole, Managing Director of the Westlake Community Performing Arts Center at Westlake High School, had this to say:
"The Eanes ISD administration and Board of Trustees, as well as the many patrons who supported the 2006 bond program, have shown an incredible commitment to this project. When the fine arts facility was originally opened in 1984, it was the first stand-alone performing arts center on a high school campus in Austin. The changes, upgrades and technical sophistication included in the current renovation will once again, make this facility the leader in the Greater Austin area."
"Since that opening day in 1984, the facility has been used by a broader group than the high school. Some of these groups include: Eanes fall choir festivals, middle school band, orchestra and choir concerts, Baccalaureate, school board forums, dance recitals, cultural programming, professional concerts, as well as countless others. As the building is used by the community it is appropriate that the Eanes Board of Trustees have renamed the facility the Westlake Community Performing Arts Center."
The PAC is home to Westlake High School's Technical Entertainment Crew (TEC), a full-time student organization that supports the technical production requirements of every show on the stage and handles the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the building's performance and 'backstage' areas.
The members of TEC are extremely excited about the imminent re-opening of the PAC. We are extremely appreciative of the constant support that has been given to the program by the School Board and Superintendent and strive every day to make this program and this facility an example of the great things the community of Westlake has to offer.
Phil Gilbert, Jr.
TEC Alumnus ('99)
We've been working hard to get some exciting content up on the site.
On the Photo page you'll find pictures from several shows, including the recently completed Westlake Choir musical, Guys and Dolls.
On the Video page you can watch clips from the past five years of Zenith, including a bunch of our cutting edge light shows, a special 'behind the scenes' video intro from the 2004 show, and the extended cut of the 2004 light show which marked ten years of moving lights at Zenith.
And, released in public for the first time, we have made available two clips from the 2008 WHS Chaparral Football Highlight Video.
As you can see from the stills and footage, the members of TEC are working tirelessly every day to support the student body of Westlake High School and Eanes ISD.
We sincerely hope you can take a few minutes to take pride in the incredible work these students are doing.
Sincerely,
Phil Gilbert, Jr.
TEC Alumnus ('99)
The web site is currently undergoing a major overhaul. As such, you should expect to see some stuff move around, disappear, re-appear, and otherwise act a little goofy.
If you see a problem, please don't hesitate to use the contact form to let us know.
In the mean time, please check back often for lots of new content including photos, videos, and a history of TEC.
Sincerely,
Phil Gilbert, Jr.
TEC Alumnus ('99)
Welcome to the brand new online home of Westlake High School's Technical Entertainment Crew. As part of the Grand Re-Opening of Westlake's Fine Arts Facility, we felt like it was time to give you a little closer look behind the scenes of our district's performing arts hub.
Since the doors were shut for renovation more than a year ago, the FAF has had a lot of work done.
Some of this will be easy to observe. Brand new seats, updated ADA seating, and easier access throughout are just a few of the things that will be easy to spot when you first walk in to the building.
Other things will be a little more subtle to the un-trained eye. New electrical systems, adjustable acoustical curtains, and an updated rigging system are just as critical to the show. These types of improvements are important as they allow us to safely and effectively produce the wide variety of performances that happen in the FAF every week.
Now that we're close to re-opening our doors, the administrators, teachers, and students who make up the TEC family are working overtime to clean up the construction dust (of which there was plenty), re-hang the lights (which were in storage), re-connect the wiring (and there's a bunch of it), and triple check every component.
As we get closer to the first performances in the new FAF, we look forward to sharing our experience with you.
Sincerely,
Phil Gilbert, Jr.
TEC Alumnus ('99)
