It’s cold and dark by the time he walks in the door after a day of jam packed activities. Junior Jake Lutz wakes up at 6 a.m. and doesn’t return home until late, depending on the night’s events. When other students see Lutz in the hallway, tall, with curly brown hair, they probably don’t know just how busy he is.

Lutz managed to balance three clubs, hobbies, friends, family, and tackled a new role of Co. Student Technical Director in this years fall production of Shrek.
Shrek was Lutz’s first show in this position. Along with senior Aidan Nic, they were the only two students to hold this spot.

“He was a little new to tech directing, as he’s usually in the booth,” Nic said. “He did alright organizing his side and keeping track of the techies. They respected and looked up to him, and overall I think everyone had a great time.”

With the new title came new responsibilities Lutz didn’t have when he was apart of the backstage technical crew. He was in immediate control of half the stage and the techies who went along with it.

“He [had] to be efficient with his job otherwise the show wouldn’t run as smoothly,” junior theatrical technician Ciara Arnold said.
The set is Lutz’ responsibility according to drama teacher Rita McLary.

“He also assigns jobs backstage,” McLary said. “Who’s gonna move what set piece, which way its gonna come on and off, which order do things have to move so that the set change happens in 30 seconds.”

While it was technically his first show with the new position, he was a natural and was able to maintain control backstage.

“He did a great job,” Nic said. “Which was especially important as he had a fair amount of newbies, which hopefully inspired them to come back next year, or even for the plays.”

Lutz is a down to earth, personable guy according to Nic.

“He isn’t pretentious or snooty at all,” Nic said. “It’s good to have a leader who isn’t above anyone, who leads by example. People respect and listen to him cause they want to, not because they have to.”

Lutz liked this role because it gave him more control while still being able to help like he used to.

“It [was] live directing people, making sure they’re doing what they need to be,” Lutz said. “Also personally going out on stage and moving stuff.”

The job requires a lot of on the spot problem solving.

“If anything goes wrong on a set change or on a scene piece, like if something breaks while you’re moving it, it would be [his] responsibility to make sure that the piece still wound up,” McLary said.

Show production provides Lutz with skills he will be able to use later in life. He has experience being backstage and working with sound equipment and technical work from his father and has participated in seven school theatrical productions.

“I see a future career,” Lutz said. “I’m debating on engineering and it’s a helpful background. Plus it looks good on a college application.”

Lutz has been involved in numerous activities of different genres ever since he can remember. In school, he participates in Model UN, Chess Club and Drama Club.

“I try to keep track of how I am emotionally, physically, and mentally speaking,” Lutz said. “I also have to make sure I’m not overworking myself and I stay positive.”