The lights come up, the sound hits and the show begins. For students in Citrus College’s Emerging Theatre Technologies program, that moment is the result of hours of work most audiences never see.
The ETT program trains students in stage lighting, live sound, video production and technical management, with a focus on hands-on experience. From small campus performances to larger productions, students are actively involved in building shows from the ground up.
“Something that audiences don’t realize is just the sheer amount of manpower, work, time and energy it takes to transform these spaces,” ETT student Garin Markarian said. “When you’re around people that love this kind of work like you do, it feels less like work and it feels more like you’re following a passion.”
That shared mindset is a big part of the program’s appeal. Students are not just learning technical skills, they are working alongside others who are just as invested in the process.
“I think everyone has their own view of what they find fun,” student Justin Aguilera said. “I do lighting, so I find lighting the best part. Some people like to do audio, some people like to do the management.”
The program allows students to explore those different roles before committing to a specific path. That flexibility helps students figure out where they fit in an industry with many moving parts.
“Once you realize what you want to do, you can sign up and see the assistant lighting or the assistant audio and learn on the gigs,” student Dillon Magesta said.
Experience in real productions is central to the program. Students regularly work on shows on campus, gaining practical skills while building connections with professionals who often return to mentor and collaborate.
“One of the nice things that we get to do is that we get to do shows here on a pretty regular basis,” technical supervisor Karen Taulbee said. “We get to do shows here that we have students work on, along with other technicians. Many of them have gone through the program and have moved on in their careers, but they come back and continue to work here, which is great.”
That connection to the industry can make a difference when students begin looking for jobs.
“The more experience you have and the more talents you have in different areas, the more likely you will be hired,” shop coordinator John Patrick said, who is not associated with the ETT program.
For students in ETT, the goal goes beyond just learning how to run lights or sound. It is about being part of the team that makes a production come together, and turning that experience into a career behind the scenes.
Correction: In a previous version of this story, technical supervisor Karen Taulbee’s name was misspelled. The story has been updated with the correct spelling of the supervisor’s name. The Clarion apologizes for the error.
Story updated at 9:30 p.m. PST April 28, 2026.
