If you’re not yet familiar with the theater process at BHS, there is a variety of work that goes into a successful production. From the actors and technicians to the stage crew and even ushers, all play an important role in the production. Some of the key roles are the ones you do not see, that being the lights and sound of the show. Every light has to be thoroughly checked and adjusted, and then the stage manager, director, and technician spend hours reviewing the script, looking at the set pieces and how the light hits them, and then programs those into the lighting board. Every small change in the lights is another cue that had to be coded, and most of this work is compounded in the later parts of the production.
One of the most stressful times in the life of a production is tech week, the week leading up to the show opening, as it is the last chance to fix up any remaining mistakes, and practice practice practice, hoping for it to be finalized enough for opening night. This involves staying late, on average to around 10pm every night, working tirelessly to polish everything in time.
Another important part of the production is the sound, varying from the microphones worn by the actors to music and sound effects, to even a potential band sitting backstage. The show would be significantly less entertaining if you could not even hear anyone. This aspect is often overlooked but is really important when you think about it more carefully.
The musical itself this year is High School Musical, a 2006 Disney film that was quite the cultural phenomenon when it was released. It seeks to express the theme of the multifacetedness of humanity, and how you are not defined by your clique in the end. While it may be seen as cringy and irrelevant by some today, its message was important when it was released, in a time of the compartilimentalization of adolescents in accordance with their social groups. It still holds up well today, and would be worth a watch, if you want to go into the production knowing a thing or two about the plot.
Even if participating in the process itself is not your thing, the final role is that of the audience, as they are needed for the performance as well. If you find yourself in November looking for an activity or want to support the theatrical arts, look no further than our own production. Those with a keen eye may have seen the posters spreading around the school advertising this, so make sure to take a peek at those. High School Musical will have a total of 6 shows, on the weekends of November 15th, and the following weekend, November 22nd. There’s a show every day, so try and come! Hope to see you there!
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