By Shelby Miller, Staff Writer
StageKraft Productions is putting on the legendary 1971 musical, “Grease,” and from big lights to big hair, from greasers to preps, First Flight High School is ready to put on the show of a lifetime.
All actors are key in a seamless production, no matter what character they’re chosen for. Memorizing lines, mastering dance moves and having to walk around in uncomfortable costumes while still entertaining the audience are just a few of the difficult tasks actors have to face. But what the audience doesn’t normally see is the organization and hard work that goes on behind the curtain.
Junior OJ Sawtell has been a part of Stage Kraft productions for six shows. The hard work of running the lights has earned her a spot in the top booth of the theater.
“The hardest part is making sure that I’ve recorded all my cues right and get all the lights focused properly,” Sawtell said. “I enjoy being behind the stage mostly because I like helping with the production and putting productions on more than being in them. It makes me feel like I’m helping more than being a background character.”
While Sawtell stays behind the scenes, some have ventured into other areas of production. Typically an actress in school productions, junior Grace Hook is learning her way around the tech field for the first time with “Grease.”
“This will be my fifth show, but first show as tech,” Hook said. “My main job is spotlight but I also did props and costumes.”
Hook soon came to the realization that being part of the tech crew was a lot harder than it looked.
“The most difficult part is waiting for cues because I get really excited and just turn on my spotlight too soon,” she said. ”I enjoy being behind the stage because it’s cool seeing what goes into making a play. It’s not just costumes and actors and songs. It’s a lot of other hard work.”
“Grease” premieres tonight, March 15, at 7 at the David E. Oaksmith Auditorium at First Flight. Performances will also be held Friday, March 16, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 17, at 2 p.m.. Tickets are $6 for students, children and seniors, and $8 for adults. The show is directed by Monica Penn and Lauren Deal.
“Tech is a lot of hard work. A lot goes on and we all wear headsets so we can communicate to each other constantly and work together,” Hook said. “There’s so much going on at once. It’s crazy and insane and awesome.”
Junior Shelby Miller can be reached at millersh0814@daretolearn.org.
