Taking on any type of theatrical performance can be very stressful and oftentimes overwhelming. The people that are more known for plays and movies are the actors, but who’s behind the scenes? The answer is the tech crew. They build all of the stage props and also deal with lighting and sound effects. Having an amazing crew is essential for a successful performance.
This year’s musical is In The Heights. This musical, which takes place in Washington Heights, embodies just what the American dream is, with a bit of romance and tragedy. In the Heights won a total of four Tony Awards and one Grammy, and they couldn’t of done it without an outstanding set.
“Tackling the set will definitely be a big project for our class,” sophomore Landon Folsom said. “There are many parts that still have to be done, but everyday we get closer to finishing.”
The tech crew started off the musical with building light poles out of pool noodles and styrofoam. Typically a light pole in a play wouldn’t be made out of a pool noodle, but Director Jill Henson had to pull out her creative side and think about using reasonably priced materials.
“I saw the pool noodle idea in another musical I watched,” Henson said. “I think it’s a really smart way to be cost-effective and creative.”
In the Heights takes place in a Hispanic-American neighborhood. The set has everything from Abuela’s house to a bodega on a street corner.
“The bodega is where I stay for most of the musical,” senior David Alcantar said. “Right now it’s just some set pieces, but I can see it transforming to something much more.”
Everything is very colorful and more of that will come into play with lighting. Heights is a different musical because not only does it rap but it actually has one song that is almost completely in the dark. Lights will make everything come to life and also zero in on important moments.
“The lights will be very complex,”sophomore Jordan Early said. “There are a lot of interesting scenes and I’m excited to bring that out with lighting and sound.”
