Students from the Alcorn Career and Technology Center (ACTC) stepped beyond the classroom this week, partnering with Oakland Baptist Church to help prepare for the church’s annual Passion Play.
Widely regarded as one of the region’s most anticipated faith-based events, Oakland’s Passion Play draws thousands of attendees each year from across northeast Mississippi and surrounding areas. The large-scale production, known for its detailed sets and powerful portrayal of the Easter story, requires weeks of preparation and careful coordination — providing ACTC students with a valuable real-world learning opportunity.
Construction students rolled up their sleeves to assist with unloading and assembling major structural components of the play’s set. From staging elements to large backdrop pieces, students gained hands-on experience working with materials and designs that go far beyond a typical classroom project. Students from the Ag Power and Automotive programs also contributed their time and effort, helping move set pieces and provide the additional labor necessary to bring the large-scale production together. Instructors noted that seeing the scope and scale of the production gave students a deeper understanding of planning, teamwork, and job-site safety.
Meanwhile, students from the Business, Marketing, & Finance classes explored the strategic side of the production by also physically helping with staging as needed as well as reviewing the marketing approaches used to publicize the event, including regional outreach, promotional materials, and community partnerships. Students were able to connect classroom lessons on branding, audience targeting, and budgeting to a real, large-scale event that consistently attracts thousands each year.
“This partnership allowed our students to see both the business and construction sides of a major community production,” ACTC Director John Anderson said. “It’s one thing to learn concepts in class, but it’s another to see them applied in a setting that impacts so many people.”
The collaboration reflects ACTC’s continued commitment to career-focused, hands-on learning experiences. By working alongside community partners like Oakland Baptist Church, students not only build technical skills but also strengthen connections within the region they will one day serve professionally.
As final preparations continue, this year’s Passion Play promises once again to deliver a meaningful and memorable experience for attendees — with ACTC students playing an important role behind the scenes.