Comm Arts Grad’s Dream Job At Sight and Sound
Amanda Pulaski (2016) landed her dream job as a deck technician at Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson, Mo. before she even graduated with her Communication Arts degree. Sight and Sound Theatre boasts one of the largest stages in the world and uses it to bring the Bible to life and share the gospel with thousands each year.
Deck-Tech at Sight and Sound Theatre
As a deck technician in Branson, Pulaski moves sets, monitors screens, and ensures curtains draw with precision. Pulaski earned the necessary credentials for her theatre job through the classes and dramatic productions at MBU. Her first exposure to technical theatre came when she worked stage crew for Maranatha’s annual production as part of a class.
Every student chose a track in the class. “I chose stage crew, and fell in love with it,” Pulaski reflected.
Previously, Maranatha students interested in the technical side of dramatic productions pieced together their training and experience through other programs–but not anymore.
New Technical Theatre Track at MBU
Maranatha is introducing its new Technical Theatre track in its Communication Arts major. This track allows students like Pulaski to focus on what they love to do.
“I was so excited when I heard they were going to add that track,” she said.
While at Maranatha, she performed in A Christmas Carol and Hamlet. Later she worked the back-stage lighting board for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She was promoted to stage manager for Sherlock Holmes and another production of A Christmas Carol.
So how did Pulaski get from Maranatha to Sight and Sound? She said she was praying about what to do after graduation. Hannah Pill, another Maranatha graduate working at Sight and Sound, told her the theatre had openings and suggested that she apply.
Christ at the Center
Pulaski admires the Christian atmosphere at Sight and Sound. “We present the Gospel in every single show,” she said. “It’s hard to present it, if you don’t believe it.”
Another blessing of her position is at crew “deck-tech” meetings. They have a short time of devotions. “It’s been incredible,” she said, “just being able to have that, and not have people look at you strangely.”
Sight and Sound tries to hire from within the company first. If someone gets their foot in the door, there is a good chance to move into another department.
When asked about her future,Pulaski said, “I think it would be fun to try the acting part, but right now I’m happy backstage.”
Now, students who are “happy backstage” will be able to focus on that aspect of the theatre. They are better able to launch into a career being salt and light “To the Praise of His Glory.”