BACKSTAGE CENTER STAGE: TECH/DESIGN WORKSHOP FOR THEATER EDUCATORS AND DIRECTORS
Backstage Center Stage is back in the Twin Cities this year, at Monkey Wrench Productions in the morning, and Perpich Center in the afternoon! Join K-12/College/University theater educators, designers, and artists for an intensive half or full day workshop combining hands-on training in technology and design skills, and an opportunity to ask the experts about any of the challenging tech/design questions you might have. Deepen your tech/design toolbox with practical tools you can apply in your classroom and theater spaces. Be inspired by the latest equipment, technology, and expertise of the presenters. And of course, connect with other theater educators and directors as you strategize ways to address your tech/design needs!
DATE AND TIME:
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Detailed schedule below!
(*Deadline for registration is Thursday, June 25th*)
MORNING LOCATION (9:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.):
Monkey Wrench Productions
925 Boone Ave N, Suite 200
Golden Valley, MN 55427
AFTERNOON LOCATION (12:35 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.):
Perpich Center for Arts Education
GAIA Building, Large Glass Box – 2nd Floor
6125 Olson Memorial Highway
Golden Valley, MN 55422
COST: FREE
CLOCK HOURS: Certificates will be given for 3 Clock Hours (for the AM session only) or 6 Clock Hours (for the full day session)
TARGET AUDIENCE:
K-12 and College/University Theater Educators, Directors, Tech Directors, Music Directors, Arts Educators and others who work with educational theater or performing arts programs and would like to learn more about the technical and design elements of the process
*LIMITED TO 30 SEATS* Please register to save your seat today! Registration deadline is June 25th. (And if you have registered and your plans have changed, please let us know so we can make more space available. Thank you!)
SCHEDULE & SESSIONS FOR THE DAY
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. – Welcome, Intros, Tour Space, Overview of Monkey Wrench Productions
9:15 a.m. -10:15 a.m. – SESSION BLOCK 1 (Pick one option below)
Topic A – Moving Light Maintenance (Seth Scott, Monkey Wrench Productions)
Topic B – Building a Set on a Shoestring Budget (Austin Adler, Minnetonka HS)
10:15 a.m. – 10:25 a.m. – Break/Transition
10:25 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. – SESSION BLOCK 2 (Pick one option below)
Topic C – Tape Light 101 (Jessica Mrovka, Monkey Wrench Productions)
Topic D – Basic Mic EQing (Joe Kokal, Excellence Marketing)
11:25 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. – Break/Transition
11:35 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. – SESSION BLOCK 3 (Pick one option below)
Topic E – Using Projection in Theater (JJ Miller, Eastview HS)
Topic F – Set Painting Workshop (Angelique Powers, University of Minnesota)
12:35 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Optional – Travel to Perpich Center for Lunch and Afternoon Session
1:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – SESSION BLOCK 4 (Optional Afternoon Sessions)
Topic G – BYOLB (Bring Your Own Light Board) Session for Q&A (Kristine Iverson, Monkey Wrench)
Topic H – Lesson Planning: Putting Your Learning Into Action (Stephanie Lein Walseth, Perpich)
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Final Reflection, Eval, and Wrap Up
FACILITATORS & PRESENTERS
Find out more about Monkey Wrench Productions, our partners/co-hosts for this workshop day:
https://www.monkeywrenchpro.com/
Backstage Center Stage is hosted by Dr. Stephanie Lein Walseth, Theater Education Specialist in Professional Development and Resource Programs at Perpich Center for Arts Education.
(More here: https://perpich.mn.gov/professional-development/state-arts-education-specialists/theater-education-specialist/)
OTHER DETAILS:
This workshop is hosted by the Perpich Center for Arts Education Professional Development and Resource Programs team. Upon completion, certificates for 3 or 6 Clock Hours will be available.
Lunch will be optional this year. If you would like to join us for lunch, please select your lunch choice from the Panera catering menu. Deadline to register with a lunch order is Thursday, June 25th.
Please contact Theater Education Specialist, Stephanie Lein Walseth with any questions about the workshop: stephanie.walseth@pcae.k12.mn.us
