MAYVILLE – In an ongoing relationship with technical theatre students at SUNY Fredonia, Chautauqua Lake Central School has hired college senior Michael Forster as technical director of “Bye Bye Birdie.” The secondary school musical will be performed in the Chautauqua Lake Auditorium on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Musical director Jennifer Davis reached out to the Fredonia Depart-ment of Theatre and Dance two years ago, launching the use of “projection mapping” for computerized scenic projections. She says Chautauqua Lake has continued to develop the connection with Fredonia students. Forster previously programmed projections for the school’s productions of “The Wizard of Oz” and “Little Women.”

“We are working together to establish a continuation of collaboration,” Davis explained, noting that Fredonia sophomore Brian Staton is assisting Forster, so that Staton may apply for the technical director position next year.

“Working with these soon-to-be-professionals is a way to stay current in theatre practices and technology and helps find creative ways to mount a show,” Davis continued. “Both Michael and Brian have been instrumental in taking a new approach to our set construction process, breaking away from purchasing set plans towards designing a set and collaborating to make it work for Chautauqua Lake’s budget and space.”

Sharing the equipment introduced by the district’s new Manufacturers Club has allowed the show’s technical crew to weld frames for telephone booths and build LED-illuminated panels. Forster and Staton will soon visit the Manufacturers Club to explain some of the technical work on the musical and explore other ways to collaborate with the club.

The Manufacturers Club was launched last fall with 30 students participating daily, doing everything from using a metal chop saw to welding. With the strong support of community minded volunteers working with the district’s technology teacher, the students gain insight and awareness of skills and abilities involved in 21st century manufacturing. Randy Stuart, former owner of Stuart Tool and Die, and Jay Baker, school board president and owner of Jamestown Plastics, provide instruction and guidance to Chautauqua Lake students. In addition to daily opportunities to participate in hands-on learning, students participate in field trips to area manufacturing facilities to see how these skills and abilities may translate into employment in Chautauqua County.

“As we look towards growing the Fredonia connection,” Davis concluded, “it is the long-term goal to get more Chautauqua Lake students – including participants in the Manufacturers Club involved in the building process for the annual musical, giving them a more in-depth look at the technical side of theatre.”

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens, and free for children age 4 and under. All senior citizens and those who hold tickets for the Friday or Saturday performance may attend the free preview on Thursday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door on all three evenings.

With lyrics by Lee Adams, music by Charles Strouse and book by Michael Stewart. Bye Bye Birdie is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. Wendy Marlinski is the accompanist for the local production. The choreographer is Heather Martin.

Chautauqua Lake Central School is located at 100 N. Erie St. (Route 394) in Mayville, one half mile north of the junction with Route430. For tickets, call the secondary school office, 753-5881.