Overlooked crew shines in the spotlight
Valley Middle School’s play The Neverending Story is now into its performance week, and the entire cast and crew are as busy as ever. All those involved are important, but there is one crew in particular that is especially vital to the success of the play: Tech Crew.
Tech Crew is responsible for many things that make the play great, such as building and painting the beautiful set backgrounds. They are also responsible for moving and changing the backgrounds in between scenes during the play. The crew makes sure that everyone that is in the crew is given a job moving things, so that while they play is in production nobody sits around doing nothing. Perhaps the most well-known of tech crews tasks is operating the lights and soundboard.
The soundboard is what supplies the songs for the play and the light board is where tech crew members can operate the lights. In order to play the songs, a soundtrack is run through an iTunes track on an iPad and given to a member of tech crew to use to play music when cues are given. The iPad is connected to the soundboard where the music can be altered using one of the many assortments of dials and buttons of the soundboard. Sara Leudke is in charge of this task and of the rest of tech crew in the sound department. Kerri Li is responsible for mic packs, which function by putting a mic on an actor and then plugging it in. The packs are then switched on by Logan Rasmussen manually from another soundboard. The light board is run by Trevor Cloutier, it is very similar to the soundboard. The lights are controlled by a small panel that contains a bunch or switches. Each switch controls a light and what color it shines in. Last year the lights came from giant stage equipment that was stationed on each sides of the stage. But now, thanks to the new construction and funding, the Tech Crew has received a new light board that operates the newer and more efficient lights from above the stage.
Many students from all grades have joined Tech crew for multiple reasons, including it is a great way to make new friends or to try new things. I like how there is no awkwardness, everyone is on the same wavelength. — Jihan Abdi
Students also joined as a way to keep themselves occupied outside of school. 8th grader Angelina Phouisangiem said, “I joined Tech Crew because I want to keep myself busy after school. It’s really fun, but it’s hard to get homework done.” Last year she did running crew because it’s the easiest crew. Running crew was the crew that was responsible for changing the backgrounds and moving props in between scenes, they have now been assimilated with Tech crew. There is an overlying feeling of community in the crew. The crew is co-run by Logan Purcelli and Emily Toews, who strive to make sure that everyone is having fun and has a job.
For the first few weeks of play preparation Tech Crew was very busy building and painting the sets. But now that Tech-week happened last week, the members are now equipped with the knowledge of how to work and use the lights and sound. Productivity is at a new high, and everyone has at least one important task to complete in time for the play.
Now, as you watch Vmss’s The Neverending Story, stop and think about all the work that was done behind the scenes to make this show a success.
Rachel • Dec 21, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Even though I am not in the play I’ve noticed how hard tech crew works! This article really helps others understand that tech crew is really important
Kieran Kowalski • Nov 20, 2018 at 11:10 am
As a member of prop crew, I can say how important the behind the scene crews are. Tech crew does almost all of the backstage work, and without them, it would just be actors on a stage.
Jacob • Nov 16, 2018 at 9:31 am
I am in the play as one of the purple beast but in order for the play to work we need a tech crew. The tech does a lot of stuff like put mics on people and changes the music during the play.
Maddie • Nov 16, 2018 at 9:01 am
Excellent job! This was a great way to showcase the tech crew and how hard they work. I’m in the play, and I think they are way under appreciated. I like how different perspectives were used and how all aspects of what the tech crew does are included. This was very well written.
Arsen H. • Nov 16, 2018 at 9:00 am
“Sara Luedke is in charge of this task[…]”
Last name typo. It should be Luedtke
Maddie Eng • Nov 16, 2018 at 8:57 am
Great job! I’m in the play and I also think that the tech crew gets overlooked sometimes. They work really hard to help make the play amazing. I like how you got multiple perspectives and and explained the different aspects of what they do. This was extremely well written and I think the tech crew would appreciate it.