THE MAGIC OF BACK STAGE!

 A Look Inside the Tech Crew at SHS

By Lily Hoffman

While most people are focused on the magic on the stage, few stop to consider the great amount of effort it takes to run the play backstage. In every musical and play that Sparta has put on, there is a group of students backstage that take care of all the things actors shouldn’t have to worry about. This stage crew helps change scenes, cue actors, handle props, lighting, sound, and much more. I had the opportunity to sit down with Annika Noel, the stage manager for Sparta High Schools Production of the Crucible, and Kimberley Bellamy, the head set designer. 

Annika Noel Interview: 

Interviewer: 

How long have you been doing Tech for the Sparta High School dramas?  

Answer: 

“Every production since fall freshman year except for the virtual one which didn’t have tech”

Interviewer: 

What is your favorite part of doing tech? 

Answer: 

“I like everything about it! It feels really good to have accomplished something seeing the show be completed, especially for a play the setting and props can really bring it together in a way not quite as obvious in musicals; it’s also really relaxing to do something so different from what I normally do in school all day and I also find doing painting and making things for sets and props really relaxing. Also, the people are amazing I’ve made some really good friends doing shows and it’s always full of great memories”

Interviewer:

Do you have a favorite tech memory from the shows you have done so far?

Answer: 

“I can’t think of just one, we do a lot of stuff and there’s lots of great things, I can give you a couple of short ones. Freshman year all the tech kids also had fun trying to see how many of us could sit on one of the prop chairs at one time, we got like 7 up there. Last year, me and Paige basically chilled on that same prop chair between doing movements and played the wordle the whole time. That was really fun too even though she was constantly insisting the words I was typing weren’t real. “

Interviewer: 

What is the most difficult part of working for tech? 

Answer: 

“The hours can be kinda rough sometimes because it takes a lot of time to do certain things like painting.”

Interviewer: 

What would you say to a student thinking of joining tech in the future?

Answer: 

“Do it! It’s so much fun and you’ll have so many great experiences and meet so many people! It’s also fairly low commitment in the beginning so you can come to a rehearsal and see if it’s for you or not, but honestly, once people come to a meeting they usually keep coming. It’s a really great way to help make an amazing show while having fun and learning new things. I couldn't recommend it more.”

Kimberley Bellamy Interview: 

Interviewer: 

How many years of tech have you done?

Answer: 

“I’ve done it since freshman year- I did 39 Steps then Middletown and Is He Dead in 11th grade and now I’m doing both productions this year!”

Interviewer: 

What is your role in these shows? 

Answer: 

“I started out doing costumes for 39 but saw Luca and some others painting and decided to help them out after I finished my jobs as assistant costume designer- I really liked it so I came back once productions started back up I’m now headset design for both of this year's shows!”

Interviewer:

What is your favorite part of doing tech?

Answer: 

“I love all of it! I like being able to talk to the other tech kids and see how the actors progress without the stress of it- I love being able to create and paint the backgrounds of the scenes with others.”

Interviewer:

Do you have a favorite tech memory from the shows you have done so far?

Answer:

“Sitting in the plenum watching the shows is always fun- I remember having to sit in one of the plenums with another tech person with a life size stuffed dummy of one of the actors just waiting to set him, we even named him!”

Interviewer:

What is the most difficult part of working for tech? 

Answer:

“Scheduling- it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it!”

Interviewer: 

What would you say to a student thinking of joining tech in the future? 

Answer:

“Do it! It’s a really great atmosphere and everyone’s very friendly! Even if you don’t know anything about tech there’s so many different parts that there’s probably something you’d love- even if you don’t keep with it it’s good to get the experience than regret not having tried it!”

Thank you to Annika Noel and Kimberly Bellamy for participating in this interview!