East’s set crew’s hard work comes to life when the backdrop is finally put into place at the tech run-through. Photo by Syeda Zaidi.
Bringing East’s annual fall production, Almost, Maine, to life involves more than just the actors performing on stage. There is a dedicated crew working behind the scenes, constructing sets, organizing props, and managing technical elements to create the world the audience will experience from October 17 to 19. While the audience will see the final product, the set-building crew has been hard at work since late August, designing and assembling the world of Almost, Maine to match the scenes and tone of the show.
Freshmen Mason Gullet and Addison Wise, part of the set-building crew, are new to theater, but their enthusiasm shines through in their work. They have eagerly taken on the responsibility of helping create everything from trees to houses and backdrops.
“We work about three days a week after school, building things like trees and backdrops,” Wise said. “The set has an abstract style to match the romantic and funny tone of the play.”
The crew’s main objective is to ensure the set matches the mood and feel of the play. They have even added personal touches, such as signs representing real-life businesses, to make the setting feel authentic while maintaining a cohesive look throughout the performance.
“We want the set to look really good, and some of the signs will represent actual businesses. The main background will stay the same throughout the show,” Gullet said.
Though they would not be in the spotlight during the performance, both Gullet and Wise are proud to contribute to the success of the play.
“We enjoy being part of the crew, even though we’re not acting, It’s fun and rewarding,” Wise said.
Ms. Kathleen Belovsky, the technical director for the play, is responsible for ensuring that all the technical elements of the production run smoothly. Her role involves making sure props are in place, stairs are safe for the actors, and technical cues like sound effects and lighting are timed perfectly.
“We have a checklist to make sure everything is safe for the actors,” Ms. Belovsky said. “For example, we put glow tape on the stairs so the actors can see them when the lights are off.”
One of the biggest challenges for the crew is making sure that everything—from sound cues to falling snow—happens at just the right moment. According to Belovsky, it all comes down to rehearsing until it is muscle memory.
“We practice over and over until it becomes natural for everyone,” Ms. Belovsky said.
While the crew may not receive their well-deserved standing praise at the end of the show, they take pride in knowing they played a key role in its success.
With just days to go before the show opens, Ms. Belovsky is confident that everything is on track. The set is nearly finished, and the crew is now adding the final touches. Their hard work behind the scenes will allow audiences to escape into the magical, snowy world of Almost, Maine, proving that what happens backstage is just as important as the performance itself. As opening night approaches, the crew is excited to see all their efforts come together for the big show, knowing that their dedication will help create an unforgettable experience for the audience.
Written by Juniors Gabby Maza and Syeda Zaidi. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.