Drama Program - Backstage Student Leadership

Building Leadership, Technical Skills, and Ownership in Your Student-Led Productions

When I first started at my current high school, I was lucky to inherit a few strong student leaders. Some loved being on stage, but a few preferred the backstage world—which, as any drama teacher knows, is gold.

Over the years, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is maintaining strong backstage leadership. Students love to perform, but getting consistent help backstage—stage managers, lighting board ops, sound designers, crew heads—can be tough. Yet, it’s also one of the most powerful ways to turn your drama program into a true student-led experience.

Here are strategies I’ve used (and a few ideas I’m hoping to try) to encourage more students to get involved backstage:

📢 Step 1: Change the Messaging from Day One

When you’re doing your beginning-of-year outreach—whether it’s at a club fair, orientation, or through posters and flyers—be clear that:

🎭 “Theater isn’t just for actors. We need programmers, painters, builders, organizers, and tech-minded creatives too!”

Backstage roles can include:

• Sound and lighting technicians (great for robotics or AV club students)

• Set builders (ideal for students in shop or woodworking)

• Costume designers (pull from your art, fashion, or sewing programs)

• Stage managers (find those organized, detail-loving students!)

• Props & running crew (students who want to be part of the action without being in the spotlight)

Get this messaging out early and everywhere. Make theater feel like a place for all skill sets.

🧭 Step 2: Recruit Through Individual Connections

Sometimes, students don’t know these roles exist—or that they’d be good at them.

Try:

• Asking current student leaders to keep an eye out in their other classes and clubs

• Connecting with other teachers—especially in art, computer science, shop, or business—to recommend students who might be a great fit

• Reaching out individually: “Hey, I noticed you’re great at organizing group projects. Have you ever thought about stage management?”

🎁 Step 3: Use Incentives and Tie-Ins

Check if your school has:

• Service hour requirements

• Project-based learning options

• Senior capstones

• Extra credit opportunities (art students might earn credit helping design a set or costume piece)

Find ways to align drama tech involvement with those incentives—making it even more accessible and beneficial for students who are hesitant.

🔄 Step 4: Build a Backstage Mentorship Pipeline

Once you’ve got a few backstage students on board:

• Have juniors and seniors train underclassmen

• Assign crew leads or department heads

• Rotate roles during smaller shows or rehearsals so more students learn multiple skills

• Host tech mentorship meetings where students share how things work behind the scenes

💡 Pro tip: Consider bringing in a professional or the original system installer once a year for a refresher on lighting or sound. It's a great chance for both new and experienced students to ask questions and build confidence.

📈 Step 5: Keep the Cycle Going

As students graduate, your program will need constant replenishment. Keep an eye out every semester for:

• Underclassmen who are naturally responsible

• Quiet students who may not want to perform but still want to be part of something

• Friends of cast members who show up and hang out—invite them to join crew!

With consistent training, clear role descriptions, and a strong student-led culture, your backstage program can become just as strong (if not stronger!) than your cast.

Your program will only grow stronger the more you diversify what “involvement” means. Students don’t all have to be on stage to shine—and many thrive even more in leadership roles behind the scenes.

🎬 Here’s to full tech crews, steady stage managers, and shows that run smoothly.

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Happy directing and break a leg!