If you look up at the tech booth during an event in the auditorium, you may just see a Minion.
Mirman’s Minions, a crew of Rockville students who help media service technician Steven Mirman run events in the auditorium, are often spotted backstage or in the booth during school music concerts, Wood Middle School Theater, or other events in the auditorium.
“Some are kids that are involved with the drama program, and some others that I’ve just recruited over time [to] help out with technology support for events that are outside of the drama program,” Mirman said. “Concerts, community events, meetings, things that just need a little bit more help, either backstage or making sure the mics are working, the lights, and so on.”
The students, who often have technical knowledge from helping with the theatre department, gain valuable skills and attributes from their work with Mr. Mirman. Senior Alex McGuire, head of the theatre sound crew and who helps run the sound system for Mirman’s Minions, explains why he values the lessons technical theatre has taught him.
“I have to have a lot of patience when we’re doing sound. There are so many things that go wrong all the time, so troubleshooting is just a really big skill that I’ve learned; knowing what could go wrong and then planning ahead for how to fix that,” McGuire said. “And also, understanding that things will go wrong—that’s a given—but knowing how to manage that and not freak out about every little thing.”
The knowledge of technical theatre gained from these experiences is also helpful for students who may want to pursue careers or side gigs that leverage their specific skill set. McGuire has been offered opportunities to help a local theatre company with their sound system, and notes that the skills he has may be helpful in the future.
“[Sound tech] seems like a very good gig to have on the side, just know[ing] how to do it and hav[ing] this appreciation and enjoyment for it. So it’s not even a job even when you’re working; it’s just a fun activity.”
Other students have taken their technical skills into the field, helping Mr. Mirman in the press box at sporting events. Junior Max Dell, who helps backstage, in the lights booth, and in the fly system, also records videos of the games during the fall and spring seasons.
Plus, Mirman’s Minions are always welcoming new people. Reach out to Mr. Mirman in his office or ask to connect with him at the media center to become a part of this valuable experience. And although Mirman’s Minions is a recently formed group, the students in Mirman’s crew have already begun passing down their knowledge to future generations.
“They learn from me and from other students that have done this before, from veteran students and so forth, how to be professionals within a production environment,” Mirman said.
