When Greyson Gonzalez, a senior at Tech High School in St. Cloud, thought about preparing for life after graduation, his school counselor encouraged him to explore opportunities at GREAT Theatre. Greyson didn’t hesitate. “I wanted to take advantage of as many experiences as I could to help prepare me for the next chapter,” he said.

He started with a summer camp internship, supporting teaching artists as they led theatre camps for kids. At first, he was nervous and shy. “It was intimidating being in front of a group of students,” Greyson admitted. “But as the weeks went on, I got more comfortable, and eventually more confident, leading activities on my own.”

That confidence carried directly into his next step: joining GREAT’s Youth Artist Project.

This fall, Greyson is serving as the scenic designer for Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! Jr., working under the mentorship of Mark Hennings, GREAT’s Technical Director. Scenic design quickly became a natural fit for Greyson, who enjoys drawing and visual creativity. “Scenic design has been so much fun. It’s colorful, playful, and I love that I get to help build the world of the show.” 

Greyson has quickly discovered how much work goes into designing a set.

“There’s a serious amount of detail that goes into set design,” he shared. “Sometimes I’d be asked questions about paint treatment that I hadn’t even considered. I also had to be really mindful of choreography, lighting, and blocking when designing set pieces.”

Designing for Elephant & Piggie has given Greyson the chance to be imaginative while also learning the technical side of design.

“The books are simple on purpose so it’s not too overwhelming for kids, but on stage we get to go all out with color. I wanted it to feel like the book was spilling open, with the characters literally flowing out onto the stage.”

He even added special touches for young audiences, like oversized painted footprints kids can step into. “It’s a way for them to feel like they’re walking right alongside Elephant and Piggie.”Of course, there have been challenges. “Measurements,” Greyson laughed. “I cannot visualize how big a foot is. I’d stare at it until I had to grab a ruler and chalk it out on the floor. But that’s part of learning, right?”

Through both his internship and design role, Greyson has gained confidence in leadership, communication, and collaboration.

“Sometimes I had a clear vision but had to figure out how to communicate it so others could see it too. I really had to learn to use my voice and stand by my ideas.” Presenting his final scenic design was a turning point. “I kept second-guessing myself, worried that the set was too vibrant. But after I presented, everyone said, ‘This is exactly what we wanted.’ That was such a boost and it made me realize I could trust my instincts.”

Looking ahead, Greyson plans to study cinematography in college, and he sees his experiences at GREAT as an important stepping stone. “I’ve learned how important it is to collaborate, to adapt, and to communicate clearly. Those are skills I’ll use anywhere.”Greyson is excited to apply these new skills to his future. “I can take this knowledge with me to college and I hope to design bigger sets one day as well.”

And his advice for other students considering the Youth Artist Project?

“Go for it! And, check your email more regularly than I did,” he joked. “But seriously, you’ll learn so much, you’ll grow, and it’s really fun.”

Greyson is one of many student artists shaping this year’s Youth Artist Project production of Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! Jr.—a show designed and directed by students, guided by professionals, and created for the whole community to enjoy. Come see their work Sept 19-28 at the Helgeson Learning Lab Theatre.

 

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.