The B.E.S.T. Connection Berryhill's Educational Stagecraft Training

In this document I explore the history of African Americans backstage, detail the types of technical theatre training currently provided to young technicians and offer a program that targets African American high school students. The focus is on students who are already engaged and interested in the performing arts but may not have the resources or opportunity to explore design and technology. I spend time discussing models of mentoring, apprenticeship and coaching as examples of the types of training that my program will provide. This document concludes with the proposal of a program that will help educate young African Americans about careers in technical theatre and design. It is my desire to combine two ideas that have been with me my entire life, mentoring and performing arts education, into a program that helps to provide opportunity, ignite ambition, and guide students to success.