Arts Student of the Week: Bri Rivard

Technical theater has a way of forging bonds between people. When Bri Rivard attended Coal Ridge Middle School, the school did not have a technical theater program, and she had never even heard the term before.

Then, her ninth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Myers, recommended technical theater to her. Rivard didn't have many friends at the time, and she thought it would be a great environment for meeting people. Now, Rivard is grateful Myers recommended it to her. "I have met incredible people through tech," she said.

Rivard says that her experience as a theater tech student at Niwot High School has been a great experience. She believes that she has been able to see a lot more and do a lot more than a lot of other people at the school. "I have learned so much and found so many new passions and friends through technical theater," she said.

"Technical theater is such a great learning environment even for those who have no interest in musicals or plays. It's a non-traditional learning experience, where you get to learn everything from set construction to sound engineering. There's so much room to learn and grow and experience new things and meet new people," Rivard said.

NHS technical director Jason Watkins appreciates Rivard's dedication to the work. "After surviving a harrowing car accident last semester, Bri has returned to the crew better than ever," Watkins said. "Bri's perseverance is an inspiration to all the crew."

Rivard's favorite show for technical theater was the 2023 NHS production of "Beauty and the Beast." She said, "That show was the reason I got so invested in technical theater in the first place."

Watkins has been a huge influence, and Rivard says Watkins is her all-time favorite teacher. She also credits several of her classmates for her success. "Marik Magginetti has been a huge help throughout all his time in tech, and he's a huge inspiration to me," she said. "My other classmates have been great as well, but Marik is outstandingly responsible and reliable."

Watkins commended Rivard on her leadership ability. "Bri is a solid leader," he said, "and fair to the techs who work for her." Rivard gives everyone she works with the benefit of the doubt. "I know that when they mess up, they already know it so instead of getting angry," she said. "I try to help them find solutions if the mess up happens again. I try to make sure everyone works in an environment that not only helps me but an environment that they also feel comfortable in. I know who I work with, and I help them work in the best way they can."

"We won a Bobby G High School Musical Theatre Award for 'Beauty and the Beast,' which everyone on tech was very proud of, but my most memorable moments on tech have always been spending a day off with my friends after finishing a show, knowing we did the best we could and made something that so many people got to see and enjoy."

Rivard admits that she is not very good at school, and she has never really enjoyed it. But joining tech gave her a reason to go to school and try her hardest. "My experience at NHS hadn't been the best before I joined tech, but now that I have a community and passion at NHS, it's been a lot better," she said.

In addition to theater, Rivard likes to skateboard, and she spends a lot of time outdoors with her friends. She likes making videos and movies, and she likes building things and working with her hands. "I love music more than anything though," she said. "I research music, and play the drums and guitar. I like pretty much everything to do with music."

Rivard hopes she can continue her work in technical theater in some capacity after leaving high school. She would love to build sets professionally and run shows. "My goal is to keep building," she said, "whether it's sets for a play or a construction job."