For the past four years, I've been tackling the backstage role of a stage manager in Juniata High School musical productions. Most people might think this job simply is running scenes with the actors and being a help backstage during performances. While we do these things, our list of tasks actually includes a lot more.

After the first month or so of rehearsals, things start to pick up and there's a lot to be done. We begin to type the basics of the program and ask cast members to type their “bios,” the short bits about each cast member found in the program. This year, we also kept the drama club’s website updated. Most days we worked on this while we helped with choreography, continued to run and stage scenes, and practiced songs with the cast.

In the last few rehearsals this year we realized that the show wasn't coming together as nicely or nearly as quickly as it should've been at this time. Our only solution was to continue to work later and to take on more tasks. The cast created a bunch of small groups that worked on choreography, songs, scenes, etc. Sometimes we were in charge of a group, or we just checked in periodically with each group to see what progress they were making and to answer questions. There were also costumes to be looked at and last minute props to be ordered. In addition to all of this was the task of organizing nightly food runs for the hungry cast and crew.

Finally, opening night arrived. Being backstage is the most hectic part of the entire job but also the most fun. We’re in charge of curtains, set pieces, props, microphones, and costume pieces, and we check in with the lighting crew to make sure everyone's on the same page. It's important to keep the scene changes quick and the key to doing that is to stay ahead. As soon as one scene starts, we talk about what needs to be done to transition into the next scene. There are always mistakes made, but their chances decrease the more we prepare. My script, which sits on a chair beside my flashlight, pen, and lemon water, is filled with cues and reminders for every part of the show.

By the weekend of performances, everyone is exhausted from the long hours of rehearsal (this year we were at the school until 11:00 pm one night) and the songs are driving us crazy from being stuck in our head for so long. Performing for an audience helps the cast’s energy by hearing the laughter at their jokes and the applause after songs. It felt like we’d been rehearsing forever, but now looking back on it, time flew.

Being a stage manager has taught me a lot. The job comes with a lot of responsibilities, so I learned how to keep everything in order. I also learned the importance of writing things down so I might actually remember them later. Working with the cast taught me how to work productively with others. Problems always come up in the middle of performances, but these have taught me how to choose the best solution for everyone and to choose it quickly. These are lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Spending my winters in the JHS auditorium has certainly been an experience. As with anything, there were bad days and good days, calm and quick rehearsals, and long, hectic ones, but I wouldn't take any of it back. I've learned so much, and the memories will last a lifetime.