It’s often called the backbone of any theatrical performance – stage crew. The stage crew is in charge of set construction, lights, sound, props, wardrobe, and safety. The stage crew for Patrick M. Villano’s upcoming school play met twice in February. They’re a group of sixth-grade volunteers.
“I joined stage crew because I wanted to be a part of the play and help out,” Addison Hogle, a sixth-grader, said. “The job I want most is to paint the sets. We have only had one meeting so far but, I helped organize the stage and cleaned.”
The stage crew is getting ready to present Seussical, Jr. on April 9 and 10, 2025. It’s a musical about Dr. Seuss’s many characters and stories. During the crew’s first meeting, school social worker Amanda Binetti and sixth-grade volunteers made background posters, put together and organized costumes, and cleaned up the stage to prepare for future practices and meetings.
Personally, my favorite part of stage crew is that I get to teach students how to be involved in a musical from behind the scenes, which is just as important a role as the actors have on stage. I also love to give students opportunities to be creative and artistic on big projects like painting a set. I prefer to be the person responsible for moving big pieces of the set, opening and closing curtains, and guiding students on set design. It is crucial that I teach students how to be safe, how to respect the backstage spaces, and the importance of paying close attention to detail and staying alert while on stage in the wings.
Stage crew members have lots of independence in the area of digital design, where they assist in making posters and other advertisements. They also assist with painting and designing the set. Hopefully, this experience will prepare them for future productions at the high school where they can also join stage crew.
