Start prepping NOW for your dream job or work-anywhere trade skills!

Want to Ensure the Show Go On? Now’s Your Chance…

It has been said that the show must always go on. Ever wonder who makes sure that happens? Have a deep passion for performance and a love for the theater? Always wanted to build sets or maybe even entire worlds that spring from history and the imagination? If this sounds like you, then a career in the performing arts and stage technology could be your ideal role. With a broad range of activities, insights and experiences incorporating the various behind-the-scenes elements of stagecraft and stage technology, this program presents a unique and invaluable opportunity to start crafting a head start on your dream career.

What You'll Learn

From 9th grade upward, enroll in A-G approved courses to start preparing for your career in the arts and entertainment industry. Classes include:

  • CTE Con Stagecraft
  • CTE Cap Stage Production Honors

What You’ll Do

Take what you’re learning in the classroom into the real world and experience for yourself all that awaits you in the fast-moving and ever-evolving fields of entertainment and stage technology. Hands-on, immersive experiences include:

  • Introduction to various aspects of theater
  • Introduction to several elements of stage design
  • Leadership roles and opportunities
  • Tour of local theaters and dance companies
  • Guest speaker visits

Who You Can Be

Kickstart your career path with top-tier academic instruction and industry-leader insights. The Stagecraft program prepares you for potential careers such as:

  • Set Designer
  • Set Builder
  • Lighting Designer
  • Sound Designer
  • Stage Manager
  • Theater Director/Manager
  • Costume Designer
  • Makeup Designer
  • Dance School Director/Teacher
  • Theater Director
  • Theater Critic
  • Entertainment Professional
  • Entertainment Media Professional

Industry Average Wages: $45,510-$51,670

Projected Industry Growth: 2-9%

What You Need to Know

VUSD’s Stage Technology CTE track prepares students for successful careers in the entertainment and arts industries, with a particular focus on the theater world — and its sophisticated, interconnected behind-the-scenes operations. Students (9th grade and up) get an in-depth, hands-on introduction to specific areas and disciplines of production arts, stage technology and stagecraft, including set design, set building, lighting design, sound design, stage management, costume design and makeup design. This program is idea for highly creative and expressive students, particularly those with a strong interest in the performing arts and theater. The program is based at Buena High School and leads directly to VUSD’s Production & Managerial Arts pathway. Students emerge from this program with enhanced skills, insight, confidence and relationships.

College Credits

Get a jump start on your college future by earning college credits and valuable real-world skills you can use for college and career.

2 Year

AA Television Media - Oxnard College

AA Technical Theatre - Moorpark College

4 Year

BA Cinema and Television - Cal State Northridge