The theater world’s anonymous tech crew gets the spotlight in a new series.

When talking about theater, many people might think first about actors or musicians, maybe the writer or director, but another dimension exists behind the scenes: the world of the theater tech.

Formally known as theatrical technicians, they are the anonymous people (anonymous outside of the theater scene, anyway) who build the sets, run the sound, prepare the props, light the stage and actors, handle electrical cables, rig the set pieces, manage the backstage, run fog machines and pyrotechnics, and whatever else technical that needs to happen.

The Monterey County Theatre Alliance (MCTA) is bringing them front and center with panel discussions by theater techs who will talk about their work and answer questions. Anyone 16 and older can fill out an application to be hooked up with a local theater company to do tech work on an actual show.

Dan Beck of Monterey will sit on the panel on June 27 at the Oldemeyer Center. He was the technical director and resident designer at Monterey Peninsula College Theater Co. for 41 years, and retired in 2015. He got his start by acting in its first production, West Side Story, in 1969 with founder Morgan Stock at the helm.

“I didn’t have the personality and drive to act,” Beck says. “I always built things, so I became interested in theatrical design.”

He had a mentor who inspired him to pursue his passion. He says the toughest parts of the job were the deadlines and staying calm in the chaos. Another might be that it is mostly volunteer work, according to co-panelist Fred Bologna.

“Ninety percent of theater in this area is volunteer regional theater,” Bologna says. “We need volunteers to mount and run a show. They do it for the love.”

Bologna, who lives in Carmel, has degrees in theater arts and dance, taught performing arts at a high school, and has directed and acted in more than 80 plays.

He says they’ll explain to their panel audience how a theater production happens – from choosing the show to getting to opening night to striking the set – and why someone may want to help with all that for little to no pay or limelight.

“If you love theater or musicals or dance, you will be right up close and center and become part of the production,” Bologna says. “That often is exciting.”

Beck seconds that: “The atmosphere, camaraderie, taking this thing to fruition and getting it done with everyone backstage, costumes, lights, scenery, props, everyone onstage, the actors going out there on the high wire. I loved all that.”

THE MCTA TECHNICAL THEATRE PANEL 1-3pm Wednesday, June 27, at Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. theatremonterey.org