The lights lower and the curtains rise as the fall musical production of Shrek is officially underway. Set construction and rehearsals have begun as the actors and actresses begin to prepare for their big shows. However some stars won’t be walking out on opening night. Instead, they will be behind the scenes ensuring the lights, camera, action all go according to script.

Junior Noah Brondyke is in his third year of assisting with productions, and helps control the ropes. Learning to handle the ropes required repetitive practice over the course of his first few shows. He first participated in set construction as part of his drama class, then came to really enjoy working backstage.
“I kind of got into it and liked it a lot more than actually acting,” Brondyke said. “Its an easy thing to be apart of. You can just come and help, I have a sport and it doesn’t require as much time as being an actor.”

Junior Ciara Arnold also assists in activities out of the spotlight. She helps paint sets and props which she positions on the stage when the curtain goes down and lights go dark. It takes about one week of four hour daily rehearsal practices to learn the positions and pace needed to make the show go as smoothly as possible. Arnold has helped behind the scenes in the three major productions since she was a freshmen.

“I don’t usually do very much after school activities,” Arnold said. “I really enjoy being on stage but I don’t like to be in front of a crowd.”

Sophomore Morgan Tiles is also apart of the techie team, but unlike Brondyke and Arnold, she plans to start acting in the near future.

For four shows, Tiles has helped with the typical techie tasks and picked up extra slack wherever it be needed. She first became involved backstage from her brother who participated when he was in high school.

“It is a lot of fun and it’s a great way to get involved,” Tiles said. “It gets your mind off of school and the people are great.”

All three students gave credit to drama teacher Rita McLary and retired engineer Steve Wozniak for mentoring them and teaching them how to run the ropes and place props appropriately.

According to Arnold, McLary and Wozniak first complete the tasks themselves to demonstrate for the techies. They then go through it again to teach them when and where props need to be placed, along with coordinating the timing of the ropes.

Arnold is excited for the audience to see the final product with all the effort that goes into preparing for show time.

“I like to be able to see our creation at the end of the show and everything we’ve worked so hard for just come to life,” Arnold said.