Written by Joe Scioli
Rae McCreary joined the Theatre Tech
Apprentice Program (TTAP) at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) because she
wanted to further explore the technical aspects of theater. TTAP is a two-year
program, in collaboration with Metropolitan Community College, designed for
high school and early college students. Apprentices are given comprehensive
insight into the technical careers of the entertainment industry through a
blend of classroom and hands-on shop training.
During her apprenticeship, McCreary learned
about props, stage management, electrics and costuming. Although McCreary loved
working with all the OCP staff members and resident designers, the person
McCreary most admired was Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer Jim Othuse. He
has dedicated an incredible amount of time to OCP and he “keeps showing up
every day”. TTAP taught McCreary to work hard and never give up because there
is always more good work to do. McCreary graduated from TTAP in 2018.
In 2019, McCreary was nominated for an Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for her props design for The Dairy Maid-Right at the Shelterbelt Theatre. She has also been
involved with several productions at Creighton University, Wayne State
University, the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and the Oregon Cabaret Theatre.
After graduating from TTAP, McCreary attended
Creighton University, where she obtained a B.A. in theater and a B.S. in biomedical
physics in 2021. McCreary is currently attending graduate school at Wayne State
University in Detroit to obtain an M.F.A. in lighting design. Her dream job is
to be a theater professor.
“People should participate in TTAP because it
builds skills that are applicable in all aspects of life,” said McCreary. “Knowing
how to communicate, ask questions, use resources, and learn from others are all
skills that TTAP helped me improve and that I use in everyday life.”
Interested in learning more about the TTAP?
Contact the Theatre Technology Apprenticeship Director by email at
ttap@omahaplayhouse.com or visit our website: https://bit.ly/OCPTTA
