Technical Theater - Marlborough School

Where Artistry Happens Behind The Scenes

At Marlborough, technical theater is where creativity meets craftsmanship. From costume design to set construction, lighting, sound, and production management, students gain hands-on experience in the behind-the-scenes work that brings performances to life. Whether designing a garment or calling a show, students learn to problem-solve, collaborate, and lead—all while developing real-world technical skills in a professional-level setting.

In This Section

A Program Built on Craft and Collaboration

Marlborough’s technical theater program is grounded in hands-on learning, where students don’t just study design and production—they actively do the work. Through courses and production roles, students become builders, designers, technicians, and costume creators who contribute meaningfully to every performance. From the first sketch to opening night, they gain real-world experience while developing creativity, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of how collaborative effort brings artistic vision to life. The process is just as important as the product—encouraging precision, innovation, and pride in every detail behind the scenes.

Behind the Scenes, Front and Center

In Marlborough’s technical theater program, students don’t just assist—they lead. Working closely with technical directors and mentors, students collaborate on every stage of production, from concept to execution. Whether designing a lighting plot, managing a build, or refining costume choices, they contribute original ideas and learn to navigate the creative process alongside professionals. This hands-on mentorship fosters a strong sense of ownership, trust, and artistic integrity. Together with the creative team, students shape the visual language of each performance—and gain real-world experience that empowers them far beyond the stage.

Matt Aston, Set Designer

Matt Aston earned the Master of Fine Arts Degree in Stage Design on an Algur H. Meadows Full Scholarship Award from Southern Methodist University. Aston designed sets for Dallas Theater Center, Stage West and Addison Center Theater before becoming full time theater faculty at the University of Central Oklahoma. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1992, Aston has focused on Fine Art painting and has shown his work in galleries throughout Los Angeles.

As a commissioned painter, Aston has painted murals for the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum, Disney Animation, and the restoration of the Egyptian Theater Hollywood. He has also painted for David Lachapelle, Madonna, and is responsible for creating the American flag in the mega award-winning Greenday video, "American Idiot". To view his work, please visit: www.mattaston.com

Greg Breda, Fine Artist and Set Designer

California native Greg Breda is a self-taught visual artist wholives and works in Los Angeles. Painting with acrylic on canvas, mylar and paper, his work explores the strength, resilience and beauty of the human spirit. Sourcing media, memory, and his imagination, Greg constructs realistic, central theme “heads” against abstracted backgrounds, persuading the viewer that the compelling conditions surrounding us could merely be challenging illusions. The “heads” then step forward into reality (realism) in order to convey a level of clarity that is attainable through an illuminated spirit. Often referencing nature and the language of flowers,

Breda also illustrates luminous attributes that his “heads” embody. Through his work, Breda seeks to encourage the viewer to envision himself as elevated and illuminated. His works are featured in various private collections.

Gary Grundei, Sound Director

Gary Grundei is a composer, music director, sound designer, and teacher. He regularly composes for mainstage productions at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and teaches at Naropa University. He also directs the Mosaic Gospel Choir in Boulder and Bar Choir in Denver. Other credits include shows at The Magic Theatre, New York Stage and Film, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Baltimore Theatre Project, as well as commissions by the National GALA Choruses, Sound Circle, Resonance Women's Chorus and two ongoing projects with Bill Pullman and Caitlin FitzGerald. He composes for and plays with the band High Fiction.

Ning Ji, Lighting Designer

Ning Ji received her MFA in lighting design from UCLA, School of Theater, Film and Television. She is a lighting and projection designer for theater, dance, opera and musical based in Los Angeles, California. Her varied body of work includes Mother. Father. Choreographed by Christine Suarez, Opera Cosi fan tutte directed by Peter Kazaras, Hidden Choreographies choreographed by Lea Anderson from London, Bat Boy: The Musical directed by Jeremy Mann, and Cloud 9 directed by April Shawhan.

Hilda Kane, Lighting Designer

Los Angeles credits include Three Days of Rain for Pepperdine Theatre Department, Gallery Secrets for Chalk Repertory at the Museum of Natural History, The Elephant Man for The Mechanicals Theatre Group, Pinocchio for The Nine O’Clock Players, O Jerusalem for The Production Company, True West by Action! Theatre Company, Six Degrees of Separation for the Kentwood Players. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emerson College. She is excited and grateful to be back at Marlborough School for her fourth academic year.

Connie Martin, Set Designer

Connie Martin Trevino is a self-taught photographer who was born on Chicago’s south side. From a very early age photography was a very important part of her immediate and extended family’s lives. Photos and movies were taken at all sorts of events from birthdays, vacations and nights out. She received her first 126mm camera around the age of 8 and even remembers getting what was supposed to be a better camera a 110mm and thinking that the quality was not improved. Once in high school she became even more interested in the photography process and took her first and only class. Her mom purchased her first 35mm camera, with the threat “you better use this.” and she’s been taking photographs ever since. After moving to Washington, D.C. in the late 80’s she continued to shoot and develop her style. Connie. Martin Trevino’s work has been exhibited in several group shows in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD and the Los Angeles area where she currently resides.

Jeff McLaughlin, Set Designer

Jeff is very happy to be working at Marlborough yet again. Jeff designs sets and lighting for film, television, commercials, corporate events and theatre. Commercial clients include Tropicana, Huawei and Kellogg’s. Corporate clients include Washington Mutual, Infiniti and Wella-Sebastian. Television credits include Octane Academy, Lady Gaga's Judas video, and Interior Motives with Christopher Lowell. Recent notable works include Years to the Day at Beverly Hills Playhouse, Nuttin' But Hutton at The NoHo Arts Center, The Blue Iris, Cyrano, Bakersfield Mist (Ovation nominee), A House Not Meant to Stand (Ovation and LA Weekly Award nominee) and The Train Driver (Ovation and LA Weekly Award nominee) all at The Fountain Theatre, Falling for Make-Believe and Grace and Glorie (Ovation winner) at The Colony, Wrap Your Heart Around It and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindoors at The Falcon, Open House and Sexsting at The Skylight, Recent Tragic Events (LADCC Award nominee), The Long Christmas Ride Home (Ovation nominee), and A Skull in Connemara (Ovation, LADCC and Stage Scene LA winner and LA Weekly nominee), all at Theatre Tribe. For more information, visit JeffMcLaughlinDesign.com

Pablo Santiago, Lighting Designer

Pablo Santiago (Lighting Designer) has enjoyed 16 years of experience lighting stage, film, and TV. He is excited to work with Holly once again after working with her and String Theory in 2011 at the Broad Theater. Pablo is nominated to the Stage Raw Award 2015 for Best Lighting Design for his work on The Brothers Size (Fountain Theater).He was nominated for the Ovation Award 2014 for best lighting design (large theater) for his work on Premeditation (LATC), and for LA Weekly’s 2014 best lighting design award for his work on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Actors Co-Op Theatre). He won Scenie Award 2014 for Memorable Design for his work on The Brothers Size and Time Stands Still (Chance Theater). Recently, he worked with the LA Phil as part of their Green Umbrella Project at Disney Concert Hall, La Olla, the Latino Theater Co. at Getty Villa and Woyzeck (Musical) at The New Vic in Santa Barbara . Pablo’s upcoming shows include Amor Brujo for the LA Phil with Gustavo Dudamel (conductor) and Siudy Garrido (choreographer). Pablo is also a Lecturer in Lighting Design at UCLA's Television, Film and Theater Department. Find him at pablosantiagodesign.com.

Joe Seely, Mask and Puppet Maker

Joe Seely is an Actor/Designer. His award winning masks and puppets have been seen on stage internationally and with the Center Theater Group, The Aspen Santé Fe Ballet, the Winston Salem Festival Ballet, as well as countless other smaller theater throughout Los Angeles. He discovered his love for puppets and masks through Hans Jurgen Fettig’s Book “Hand and Rod Puppets” as a boy.

John Trevino, Set Designer

John Trevino was born in 1972 and raised in Long Beach, CA. He received his B.A. in Black Studies and Art Studio in 1995 from U.C. Santa Barbara and MFA in painting from Howard University in 2000. In his work, Trevino pursues information that is acquired from personal experiences, observations, and reflections on the surrounding environment as a way of documenting aspects of contemporary culture. Working primarily in painting and mixed media, Trevino feels the range of these materials mirror the diversity of his experiences and allow the artist the flexibility and freedom to visually navigate this territory.

In addition to studio work, he has painted murals in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., as well as exhibited work in both cities. In 2004 his work was selected as part of the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Neighborhood Poster Competition and displayed throughout Los Angeles. Most recently he has been working on an ongoing series of photographs featuring friends and colleagues wearing customized water polo caps. John currently lives in Los Angeles.

Explore the World Behind the Curtain

Marlborough’s technical theater courses offer students the opportunity to dive into the creative and technical elements that support live performance. Whether learning to sew a costume, wire a lighting grid, or design a set from the ground up, each course builds practical skills, artistic vision, and a deeper appreciation for the craft of theater-making.

For more details on each course offerings and prerequisites, click below.

Curriculum Guide