Tech Crew students share their experiences

Whether it be a play, school assembly, or school dance, the event depends on Tech Crew’s ability to work together with both the actors — and each other — to carry out the tasks the event demands, and the fix the problems they might face.

The role of senior Corbin Bertram, president of Tech Crew, is to hold meetings to inform the members about upcoming events, as well as the carrying out the duties of a Tech Crew member. Veterans of Tech Crew have the job of teaching new members how to conduct the various jobs in Tech Crew.

“I want to leave the high school with a confidence that James will get the help he needs,” Bertram said.

Freshman Daniel Rasmussen is currently learning how to work the light setup as part of Tech Crew. Lighting is used to set moods, and to set special effects in sync with the actors. Lights are also used to direct the audience’s attention to various parts of the stage.

“People try different things in Tech Crew,” Rasmussen said. “Whatever needs to be done, someone will do it.”

During the play “The Miracle Worker,” three Tech Crew members worked the soundboard and lights. One person, known as the script person, has the responsibility of knowing the play, and recognizing audio and visual cues for the two people running the lights and sound board.

Behind the stage, Tech Crew is actively involved in curtain ques, microphone setup, and helping actors. Tech Crew members behind the stage must communicate with those running the soundboard about which microphones to turn on.

“[People involved in the play] have to work really closely with Tech Crew to get the lighting right where it needs to be,” said junior Alex Tyson, an actor in “The Miracle Worker.”

Adviser James Wallace has the role of helping and instructing all members. Wallace will also facilitate Tech Crew during events, but Wallace prefers to let the students do the work. Some events, such as the Janice Franz Talent Show, were run entirely by students. Wallace believes that every Tech Crew member has the role of being able to deal with technical problems and improvising when they happen.

“During the Phantom of the Opera one year, we had the sound go out when an act was going on and the actors were using the microphone,” Bertram said. “When stuff goes wrong, it’s usually something really small, like a light in the wrong place or a spotlight that is too dark. We haven’t had any big stuff happen.”

Bertram believes the laid-back atmosphere of Tech crew helps them get through the strain placed on them during a large event.

“In the heat of the moment, it gets stressful, but at the end of the show, everyones is joking around and laid back,” Bertram said.

Performances are made possible by the crew

They’re hidden backstage throughout the performance, not taking the spotlight that they are monitoring. But they are the key to a good performance at Wenatchee High School, in charge of lighting, sound, and stage. The Tech Crew’s priority is to make sure all events at WHS run smoothly and flawlessly.

The Tech Crew runs lighting, sounds, and the stage for every event in the WHS auditorium and runs sound in the gym. This includes assemblies, plays, the Apple Blossom pageant, the Janice Franz Talent Show, Mr. Panther, and many others.

Junior Maddy Atwood has been involved in several productions at WHS, working closely with the Tech Crew. “I truly appreciate the Tech Crew and many shows couldn’t be possible without them. They create the lights and sounds of any production. They put in tons of hard work to make actors like me look good,” Atwood said.

Senior Amy Veteto has been involved with the Tech Crew since her freshman year, taking the role of assistant stage manager this fall for the play “Shrek” and was the stage manager for the spring play.

“From assemblies, to being DJ’s at dances, to graduation, also working gigs throughout the valley and also community events at the high school. Basically, if there is an event at the high school you will see the tech kids helping out,” she said.

There are 24 students in the Tech Crew, all with different jobs and roles depending on the event taking place. Some students join to help steer them in a direction of a career in technology, while some do it just for another activity to help involve themselves at WHS

“I joined because I’m not really that good at singing or acting but I love the theater… It wasn’t about being on the stage it was about being a part of a team that helps make an amazing story or musical come alive,” Veteto said.

Another student involved in the Tech Crew, freshman Abby Phipps joined for other reasons. This is Phipps first year with the group at WHS, but had prior experience in sound from volunteering at her church.

Phipps has background in stage management, but is beginning to shift to working more with lighting. She designed and ran all of the lights for the Janice Franz Talent Show and this spring was the light board operator for the spring play, The Miracle Worker.

“I originally wanted to be in the cast for ‘Shrek,’ but then changed my mind,” Phipps said. “Then I heard about the Stage Crew and it sounded really interested so I just signed up.”

 Leading up to opening nights of shows, Veteto said that she and other members spend 20 or more hours rehearsing and preparing for the main event. Phipps said that she spends usually three or four hours after school every day working on tasks for upcoming events.

For many students, Tech Crew is a way to help prepare them for their futures, and this is the case for both Veteto and Phipps.

Phipps is not completely set on her career, but has a few ideas. “I definitely think I will do something with technology in my future,” she said. “I know a few people that have gone here [WHS] and have gone on to do bigger things so that’s kind of my goal.”

Members get hands-on experience; learn life skills

They’re the faceless, nameless people in black. They do not take bows on stage after a performance or get rounds of applause, but without them much of the on-stage magic we see would be impossible. This hard-working, subliminal group of people is known as the Tech Crew.

But why would these dedicated individuals put so much time and effort into making shows run smoothly if they go unacknowledged? After all, controlling the often unnoticed lighting and sound effects is no easy job. It takes much coordination. Many members of the Tech Crew agree that they’re not in it for recognition of their work, but to learn more about technology.

“I joined Tech Crew because I wanted to know more about sound and lighting,” sophomore Courtney Scott said. “I’ve definitely learned a lot, and it’s already helped me in life. I help with my church’s sound system.”

As backstage manager, Scott is in charge of the soundboard and sending performers on stage at the right time.

“If I choose to go into something tech related, being on tech crew will have given me a lot of valuable experience. I plan on staying on Tech Crew through senior year. It’ll look good on college resumes and I’ll keep learning,” Scott said.

Sophomore Mitchell Thacker has also been able to apply the skills he learned in Tech Crew during the various productions to everyday life.

“I’m with the Wenatchee Youth Circus. I usually have to set up all of the electrical equipment. I want to learn to do it myself and not have to have someone else come over and help me,” Thacker said. “[Being in Tech Crew] gives you experience working in a real job situation. You have a job, you need to do it, and if you don’t do it right, nothing works out very well.”

Senior stage manager Amy Veteto also finds that Tech Crew has provided her with valuable learning experiences that she will be able to use again. Veteto has been on Tech Crew since the spring play of her freshman year, where she “found passion in being backstage.” She plans on achieving a minor degree in theater production while in college.

“My dream is to one day tour the world with a group of performers,” Veteto said. “But [little recognition] comes with the job. No one knows the people behind the curtain; it’s kind of like being in the Secret Service or something. But the best part of working backstage is just being a part of producing something beautiful and awesome.”