Parkland graduate Kristy McKeever, now living in Arizona, was unhappy with what she heard from some stage crew members working on this year's high school spring musical, "The Wizard of Oz," so she started a petition on change.org.

"I decided to start this petition after hearing from current students they were not being given the opportunity to be the lighting designer and the sound designer and board operator," McKeever said in a Feb. 28 email to The Press. "I wouldn't be where I am today, if I had not had those opportunities while I was at Parkland High School.

McKeever, who attended the high school from September 2005 until graduating in 2009, participated in stage crew every year.

"I got the opportunity to design and build sets, participated on run and fly crew, and stage managed several productions," she wrote. "My friends designed the lights and sound and we went on to pursue professional careers in theater. We wouldn't have been able to do that if we had not learned it in high school first."

The petition, which has 750 signatures, begins with the following statement by McKeever: "School is the best time to learn, grow, and gain experience.

"When the theater staff at Parkland High School decided to hire professionals to fill the usually student-held positions of lighting designer, sound designer, and sound board operator, they robbed the students of an opportunity to learn."

McKeever's email to The Press also states she contacted Mark Stutz, director of visual and performing arts, regarding the situation.

"The way it was explained to me by the fine arts director at the school is the students will not be in charge of lighting, but will collaborate with the hired technical director as the lead," she wrote. "The hired sound consultant will be running the board if a student isn't good enough to run it.

"I believe it shouldn't be about if someone is good enough or not. If he or she is willing to do the job and wants to learn, that is all that really matters.

"He did say their duties haven't fully been discussed and he would get back to me," she wrote.

"As an alumna who loved my experiences at Parkland and look back upon them fondly, I only want to ensure future generations are given the same opportunities I was given."

The Press contacted the school district for comment on the petition.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak, High School Principal James Moniz II, Stutz, and "Wizard of Oz" Director Frank Anonia issued the following joint statement on Feb. 28:

"The Parkland High School Theater Department is committed to providing opportunities for students to learn, grow and be challenged in all facets of production.

"In past years, Parkland High School has hired industry professionals occasionally to offer guidance, leadership and training for our students so they may learn to master ambitious technology and production methods.

"An example of this will occur this spring when Parkland High School will perform 'The Wizard of Oz.'

"Our students will work alongside industry professionals and gain valuable knowledge which will only enhance their theater capabilities for future performances.

"Contrary to what is being reported via social media, students have numerous opportunities to create, participate and learn in this year's production. The Parkland Theater Department is comprised of many talented professionals who strive tirelessly to provide top-notch productions.

"We are very proud of our theater program's efforts and will continue to provide rich and rewarding experiences for our students.

"We look forward to a week of wonderfully entertaining shows for all of our guests."

Rebecca Heisler, also a 2009 graduate, signed the petition.

She was on the run crew for the spring 2006 production of "Beauty and the Beast," and the assistant lighting designer in fall 2006 for "Alice in Wonderland."

She was the lighting designer for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in spring 2007 and for "The Skin of Our Teeth" in fall 2007.

In spring 2008, Heisler was co-lighting designer for "Les Miserables."

"There is a children's show every winter I continued to be heavily involved in as well as smaller shows throughout the year," she emailed The Press. "I was also stage crew representative in our performing arts club. I am a lighting designer in New York City now. I chose this career because of the leadership roles and opportunities I had at Parkland High School.

"They had given me the chance to experience and experiment with the work for myself, which created a passion in me that propelled my choices for my college degree."

Stutz both emailed and spoke with The Press.

"We have brought in professionals to help in the pit orchestra almost every year," Stutz emailed. "The students get the opportunity to play next to and with professional musicians.

"For a number of our shows we have brought in a professional sound technician to help our students overcome obstacles faced with new technology and to teach them how to run the system more efficiently."

Stutz said all the professionals will provide the students with hands-on learning and experience.

"Observing will be part of that process, just as watching any professional at their craft helps someone perform more efficiently. Stutz also said industry professionals are hired as needed.

For the "Wizard of Oz," Theatrical Consultant and Technician Sal Ritz is serving as technical designer.

"They are hired every year in various capacities as the director sees the need," he wrote.

Stutz was asked how the professionals would be paid.

"In response to your question about money, I think it is very important to understand all of the theatrical productions in the Parkland School District, both the middle school shows and the high school shows, are self-supporting from a fiscal standpoint.

"The district provides us wonderful space and equipment and stipends for our director and technical directors, but all other costs, sets, costumes, wigs, scripts, royalties and outside professionals are paid for out of the ticket sales and our program sales.

Stutz sought to reassure both present and future stage crew members they will continue to have a positive experience working on the shows.

"There is tremendous opportunities for students," Stutz told The Press. "There always has been and there always will be."