TTAP Helps Students Like Rae McCreary Build Lifelong Skills

 

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