Van Wezel’s Technical Theatre Camp Gives Teens a Backstage Career Path

by Avery Anderson

Every summer, teens line up for acting camps. They belt. They bow. They post the photos.

But this June in Sarasota, a different kind of theater kid gets the spotlight — the one holding the wrench.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is bringing back its Technical Theatre Camp, a two-week, behind-the-curtain immersion for students ages 12–18 who are more interested in light plots than limelights. It runs June 8–12 and June 15–19, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $250 per week or $450 for both, with financial aid available.

Translation: this is not “let’s paint a cardboard set and call it Broadway.” This is real tools. Real union technicians. Real backstage access in one of Florida’s busiest performing arts halls.

The program is presented in partnership with Stagehands Union Local #412, which means campers aren’t just learning theory. They’re working alongside the professionals who actually run the shows that roll through town.

And if you’ve ever wondered who makes the magic happen after the house lights dim — it’s them.

The Kids Who Make It Work

Technical theatre is the quiet engine of every production. No spotlight hits without someone hanging it. No sound cue fires without someone programming it. No scenery flies without someone calculating weight and timing so nobody gets hurt.

Former camper Avery Cole put it plainly:

“the Technical Theater Camp really enhanced my knowledge of tech work and backstage management, and it taught me skills that I now take in my own work for school and local theater companies.”

That’s not résumé fluff. That’s workforce development.

In a moment when arts funding conversations often center on performance and product, programs like this quietly build the pipeline — introducing young people to union pathways, practical trades, and creative problem-solving that extends far beyond the stage.

Beginner Curiosity. Advanced Toolbox.

Week one is designed for teens who are simply curious — ages 12–18, no experience required.

Week two levels up. It’s an advanced camp for ages 14–18, aimed at returning students or those ready to deepen their technical toolbox.

The structure is intentional. You don’t just “try tech.” You build on it.

And that matters right now. As theaters nationwide compete for skilled labor and technical talent, early exposure isn’t just enrichment — it’s sustainability.

Why This Matters Now

There’s a cultural myth that theater equals acting. But for every performer taking a bow, there’s a crew member who built the world they stood in.

If we want stages to keep lighting up across Florida — from Sarasota to St. Pete to Tampa — we need the next generation of electricians, carpenters, board operators, and production managers.

This is where they start.

Not in the audience.

Not in a classroom.

But backstage.

If You Go
Technical Theatre Camp
June 8–12 (Beginner)
June 15–19 (Advanced)
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
$250 per week / $450 for both
Financial aid available
Ages 12–18 (Advanced week 14–18)

Registration is open. Space is limited.