Student Spotlight: Ryan Hay, Tech Theater Whiz

Kinkaid senior Ryan Hay has made quite a name for himself in his four years at the school. He’s known for being the mind behind much of Kinkaid performing arts’ advanced stage design, sound setup, mechanics, and general pizzazz. From pouring fake blood on cast members in Carrie to operating one of the first turntable stages in Kinkaid history, Hay has done it all. I had the pleasure of chatting with Hay about his time and experiences with tech theater at Kinkaid.

Tell us about your journey in the tech theater program at Kinkaid. How’d you find your passion for tech theater and how did you get into it at Kinkaid?
I have always liked theater, perhaps because my brother starred in many of his school plays and musicals. While I wanted to be involved in shows, there was one issue; I am deathly afraid of going on stage, so instead, I tried out technical theater. I joined the class in the second semester of my freshman year, and I helped with my first production in my sophomore year, where I operated the soundboard for the fall play, The Wolves, with a grand total of eight sound cues. Although I signed up as a requirement of the tech theater class, I really enjoyed the experience and being a part of something bigger than myself. I really wanted to join another production, so when the next sign-up sheet was released in the spring, I took on a much bigger role as the stage-right (SR) assistant stage manager (ASM) for the musical Carrie. While every show that I have been a part of has tested my anxiety and induced a lot of stress, the productions are always fun and rewarding.

What roles have you taken on in various productions?
In my sophomore year, I operated the soundboard for the fall underground play The Wolves. In the spring, I was the SR ASM for Carrie: The Musical. I coordinated many of the scene changes and also carried out several practical effects where I got to pour blood onto the actress playing Carrie. In my junior year, I ASM’d for The Three Musketeers. I also operated the moving platform and designed the projections. In the spring, I SR ASM’d for the musical Hello Girls, where I also programmed and operated the turntable. This year, as a senior, I stage managed and designed the set for Peter and the Starcatcher, and in the spring, I will be stage managing for the musical Rodger's & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Many people may not fully understand the technical side of theater productions. Could you provide some insights into what goes on behind the scenes and the importance of the tech team in bringing a show to life?
While a majority of the storytelling is done by the actors, technical theater brings the production to life with sets, props, lighting, and sound. Behind the scenes of a production, as a stage manager, I call the cues. All the cues are then carried out by the technical crew: the light board operator, sound board operator, stage crew, assistant stage manager(s), etc. Although varying in responsibilities, everyone on the crew is important to holding the production together and ensuring a smooth run. If an audience member sees a member of the crew, they’ll notice the headset which we all wear to communicate with each other. These headsets also allow the crew backstage to relay messages from the cast to the stage manager and vice versa. While a majority of the crew joins the production during tech week or the week before the opening night, the stage manager and assistant stage managers attend every rehearsal. As a stage manager, I assist the director, record the blocking and attendance sheets, and write rehearsal reports. 

Could you share a particularly memorable or rewarding experience you've had while working on tech aspects of a production?
Designing the set for Peter and the Starcatcher was a very rewarding experience. It was magical to see the set transform from an idea on my laptop that I made in Blender to a physical set for the director and cast to play with. It was amazing how the set came to life during tech week with the lighting and costumes.

Looking ahead, do you see tech theater/some form of engineering playing a role in your future plans or career aspirations?
While I plan to major in mechanical engineering in college, I also hope to continue my involvement in technical theater either as a minor or through student-led organizations as I enjoy having a creative outlet and working with a creative team.

For students who might be interested in getting involved in tech theater, what advice would you give them?
My advice to someone interested in tech theater is don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and take on bigger responsibilities. I also advise that during a production, remember to have fun - it’s very easy to get caught up in the stress.