Behind Every Great Performance: Southwest High School's Leah Ojeda Shows Why Technical Theater Deserves the Spotlight
When audiences applaud at the end of a school play, they usually recognize the actors who took center stage. But at Southwest High School, students like junior Leah Ojeda know that every memorable performance is built long before the curtain rises.
As a member of Southwest High School's Dragon Drama technical theater program, Leah spends her time creating the visual and technical elements that transform an empty stage into an immersive experience. Through set design, lighting, sound, painting, and countless artistic details, she is helping demonstrate that technical theater is much more than work behind the scenes—it's an opportunity for students to discover their creativity, develop leadership skills, and find confidence in themselves.
Bringing Every Performance to Life
While audiences may notice the finished production, Leah says much of the work that makes a performance successful often goes unseen.
"Technical theater is something that is very overlooked. When you come into an auditorium or a show, everything looks so pretty, but behind the scenes it's so much work and sweat. Every painting, every detail has to stand out. Every sound cue is specifically chosen, and lighting is picked to create the mood. There's a lot that goes into it."
From carefully painted scenery to perfectly timed lighting changes and sound effects, every technical decision helps tell the story on stage. Together, these behind-the-scenes efforts create the atmosphere that audiences remember long after the performance ends.
A Creative Path for Students Who Prefer Behind-the-Scenes Roles
Leah hopes more students realize they don't have to love acting or singing to become an important part of theater.
For Southwest ISD students who enjoy art, design, technology, or building projects, technical theater offers an opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways while developing practical skills that extend well beyond the stage.
"If you like art and want to be involved, this is a perfect opportunity if you're afraid of or don't enjoy singing and acting."
Rather than performing under the spotlight, technical theater students collaborate to solve problems, create visual experiences, and ensure every production runs smoothly from beginning to end.
More Than Sets and Lighting
For Leah, the experience has become much more than learning technical skills. It has also been a journey of personal growth.
She says technical theater challenges students to become leaders, work as part of a team, and better understand themselves through the creative process.
"With technical theater, you have to be a leader, not only to your cast, but also to yourself. It's not just lights, sound, or building sets. Your inner self comes out in the work, and you discover more about yourself and what interests you. It's all therapeutic."
That combination of creativity, responsibility, and self-discovery reflects what many Career and Technical Education and fine arts programs strive to provide—hands-on experiences that help prepare students for future careers while encouraging personal development.
Why It Matters
Programs like Dragon Drama's technical theater continue to show that success in the performing arts isn't limited to the performers audiences see on stage. Students working behind the scenes are gaining valuable experience in project management, collaboration, artistic design, technology, and leadership while helping create memorable experiences for classmates, families, and the community.
As Southwest High School continues to celebrate student achievement across academics, athletics, and the arts, Leah's story serves as a reminder that some of the most impactful contributions happen quietly, just out of view. Whether they're designing a set, programming lights, mixing sound, or painting scenery, technical theater students are helping bring every production to life—one carefully crafted detail at a time.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more stories highlighting the students, educators, and programs making a difference in Southwest ISD.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
