When putting on a show, there’s a lot that has to go right behind the scenes. The tech crew, production team, and even actors, ensure that happens. Tech week is a stressful week for all of those involved, but it is critical in a show’s final performance. For this year’s fall play, Make ‘Em Laugh by Jason Odell Williams, there is a student team behind the scenes working continuously to put on the best show possible.
The set is what transports an audience from looking at a stage to being in a new world. This momentous task has been taken on by Junior Kassidy Klopotoski. She is the visionary that implements these world building elements, and has to make sure that the set and crew is organized and ready to go by opening night.
“I have to create a working and accurate world that makes sense for the show and allows the actors to flourish,” Klopotoski said. “Backstage, we move entire set pieces, props, control curtains, and other miscellaneous duties.”
At the back of the auditorium, is the newly refreshed tech booth, thanks to a generous donation from the Gloucester Education Foundation in 2023. This is where you will find sound and lighting designers, Senior Sam Pallazolla, Junior Mylee Towne, and Sophomore Beckett Guest. Sound and lighting are necessary pieces of a production to bring everything to life: Sound elevates the actor’s voices and adds special touches to the performance, while lighting illuminates the stage and brings a certain emotional aspect to the show.
“I mic all of the actors and level their voices on a soundboard for the audience,” Sound Designer Sam Pallazolla said. “I also create and mix sound effects to add special touches to the performance.”
Another element that brings a show to life is the creative trio of costume, hair, and makeup. Senior Athena Rowe, costume designer and head hair and makeup designer is accompanied by Junior Niava Friday, assistant hair and makeup designer for this production. Their jobs are to transform actors into characters, and taking creative liberty over the appearance of actors. Tech week is a busy and important time for these designers while they’re finalizing and fixing looks and costumes.
“During tech week and the shows, I organize everyone’s costumes and make sure they have what they need,” Athena Rowe said. “I do more intricate makeup that the actors can’t do themselves like making them look old.”
Actors this week are reading and rereading lines they have memorized, running through blocking and trying on costumes to finalize the show as a whole. For actress Emma Alves, who plays the lead role of “Kid,” she’s also updating social media and marketing at all hours of the day to ensure a good turnout.
“The role of Kid does not leave the stage at any point besides intermission,” VP of Digital Media and Marketing and lead Alves said.“When we’re not running the show, I am quick to make more social media posts, posters, and get the word out.”
The student who ties everyone together and makes sure everyone is on the same page is the stage manager, Lauren Sargent. Sargent keeps the lighting and tech crew organized and keeps everyone on track.
“My role in tech week is to make sure that the play looks good enough for the public and make sure we are all set for opening night and that everyone knows what they’re doing,” Sargent said. “Costumes, set, makeup and hair done, lines memorized; there’s a lot going on so I’m there to organize it.”
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Make ‘Em Laugh by Jason Odell Williams
WHEN: Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm Friday, December 13th at 7:00pm Saturday, December 14th at 1:00pm and 7:00pm
HOW MUCH: $10 for students, staff and seniors, $15 for adults (20% discount if you buy tickets online)
Tickets are available in person at the doors or online on their website!
