It’s 5 p.m., and the actors’ voices boom across the stage. Rehearsal has just started, and they’re working on Act 2, ensuring everyone remembers their blocking. Little do they know, behind the scenes, peril is about to strike.
While trying to carry them down the stairs, Joseph Jacob is almost crushed by giant lollipops. The others narrowly escape the lollipops as they tumble down the stairs.
Joseph, a member of the prop crew, cleans up the lollipops and resumes his work on selecting props and organizing the prop room. The actors remain clueless and continue the scene.
Joseph and the props crew are one of many crews that form the backbone of the theater program. Although they only show up every Thursday, their importance can not be underestimated.
“We help create costumes, organize costumes and makeup.” says Junior Laura Brummett, the leader of the makeup crew. “We also do makeup changes behind the scenes of the show.”
From what they wear to the age they look, the makeup crew makes the majority of the aesthetic choices regarding the actors. Despite being one of the most appreciated crews by the actors, the audience often has no idea what work goes on. Furthermore, they often work hand in hand with another crew that goes entirely unappreciated by the audience: construction.
Construction, the most perilous of the crews, builds the entire set. Everything seen on stage, excluding props, was likely influenced or created by the young men and women working in the construction crew. Oftentimes, they have to build sets that are two stories high complete with stairs and back entrances, all of which have to be structurally sound in order to maintain the safety of the all-important actors.
But all this would be null and void if not for the lights crew, who, according to sophomore Emmalynn Edge, build “… interesting storytelling through the stage.” Through her creative use of lighting, she highlights actors and scenes, dramatizing the show into an enjoyable and entertaining demonstration of skills.
While the crews are all drastically different, they share one common belief; theater is enjoyable. Despite it being perilous, as demonstrated by Joseph almost falling and being crushed by giant lollipops, everyone loves what they do, and would not trade it for the world.
