Lubbock Art Builders (LAB) is a team of experienced scenic designers and builders providing professional production support for school theater, musical, and band productions across Lubbock — and teaching students the craft along the way.
Lubbock Cooper High · The Addams Family · January 2024 · Scenic design by LAB
Lubbock Art Builders is a 501(c)(3) organization created by Lubbock community members in 2021.
LAB’s founding members are experienced scenic designers and builders, focused on providing facility to artists and artisans in West Texas. Today we partner with local high schools to design, build, paint, load in, and strike scenery for their productions — working side-by-side with students, families, and teachers.
The beginning stages of a build project begin with solid concepts that serve the story. LAB is dedicated to facilitating the ideas that engage audiences and create a world in which actors of all ages can engage with their set from the first table read until strike.
LAB is committed to using innovative techniques and ideas to bring a concept to life. The combined experience of our artists allows us to think outside the lines and create something original, no matter the budget.
Working with the community of West Texas is the core of our mission. LAB seeks to contribute their expertise to benefit a shared objective with their clients, cultivating a professional experience for students.
Our production support program serves local school productions of theater shows, musicals, and band performances with professional production support and aid from local theatrical professional technical designers, directors, and producers. Funding for this effort allows us to purchase lumber, paint, fasteners, and hardware for the high schools in Lubbock and the surrounding region.
Every production follows a six-week schedule — from the first cut in the shop to the final theater restore.
Three work calls per production bring students and their families into the process — learning shop and theater safety, stagecraft, and practical math (load calculations, figuring, and implementation) while building a piece that actually plays in their show.
A look at recent productions LAB has designed, built, and supported.
Our scene shop is the core asset for our organizational efforts. We’re working to expand it into a more flexible and collaborative space — with customizable workbenches, work tables, tools, and logistic solutions for our build, painting, and delivery methodology — so we’re better tooled for future projects with local schools and clients.
