While everyone’s attention is on Milton Area High School’s main stage watching the production, there is a whole crew is in charge of keeping everything running smoothly and keeping themselves invisible. What must be done behind the stage to keep the production going is often unseen.
The stage manager for this year’s production is Senior Theodore Tilman. The job of stage crew is just moving sets and helping backstage so the production runs smoothly. “Being reliable and willing to help is really all it takes,” Theo added.
“I just make sure everything goes smoothly backstage,” Theo added. “Keeping people quiet is also pretty important.”
Theo has been on the stage crew since Makin’ It in his sophomore year, leading up to being stage manager since the beginning of this year. He said the hardest part of being a stage manager is tech week, which is the last week of production leading up to show dates. “It’s super stressful; everyone is on edge,” he explained.
According to Theo, the set of the spring musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame is big. “There will be lots of set changes, more than what we’ve had in the past,” he added.
The stage crew also helps with non-onstage duties, like helping with costumes and make up. This includes quickly helping the actors button their shirts or making sure their character make-up is stage ready. They also help with rehearsing lines and props. Stage crew is a big influence to encourage others to join in the next production as well, Theo explained.
Senior Pierce Young said that one big problem he had to solve during The SpongeBob Musical last year was that a lot of props went missing. Pierce and a few other crew members made a prop quickly backstage moments before the prop was needed onstage. “It was hectic and everyone was panicking. Luckily, stage crew was able to help,” Pierce said.
To join stage crew, email Director Mr. Stephan Aguirre, Theo said. There is usually a limited number of people needed, and they need to email him earlier in the beginning of rehearsal. The next opportunity to join stage crew would be around the beginning of next school year.
