Arts

Behind the Scenes of Grasshopper 2018: The Tech Team

Carley Kukk ’19:

Stage Manager and Producer

Despite the time commitment, Carley Kukk ’19 takes pleasure in organizing the rehearsals just to see it all come together.

“Our most busy day was when we held auditions: from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., [we debated] on who should get in. I think that was the hardest part, because everyone who auditioned was so incredible. It’s been so much fun working with the other producers, because everyone has something super awesome to offer.”

 

Lesley Tilghman ’19:

Assistant Stage Manager, Stage Hand

Having worked as a Grasshopper stagehand the past two years, Tilghman is also the Assistant Stage Manager this year and is responsible for calling the different acts when it is their time to perform.

“We’ve been here for about three hours every night: stage-handing, doing lighting, all of that jazz. It’s actually been a lot easier than Grasshoppers in the past; it feels like things have been coming together more quickly, and all things considered, this is a pretty lit show.”

Celia Egler ’19:

Light Board Operator

Egler is in charge of managing the lights that distinguish between the “good” and “evil” in this year’s theme. The acts generally utilize blue to symbolize good and red to symbolize evil.

“This is my fourth year doing tech for Grasshopper. While the week leading up to the show can be really chaotic, the first time we run through the whole show and everything finally clicks is always my favorite moment.”

 

Bradford Seymour, Instructor and Technical Director in Theatre and Dance:

Sound Board Operator

Seymour, who is in charge of the sound board this year, has gotten to work with the student tech crew behind the scenes.

“I have particularly enjoyed working with the tech crew because they are such a dedicated group. It is really impressive how well the crew works as a team and how professional they are when working backstage.”

Anna Liu ’21:

Spotlight Operator

Given the task of handling the spotlights, Anna Liu ’21 sits patiently on the highest balcony in Tang Theatre, waiting for her cue.

“We usually spend about three to four hours here in Tang, so it’s a time commitment. If you aren’t managing your time, it gets difficult, but other than that it’s really fun, so it’s worth it.”

Wyatt Rogers ’22:

Spotlight Operator

As a Junior interested in lighting, Rogers decided to join the Grasshopper tech after being encouraged by his friend.

“I thought it would be an interesting thing to do. It hasn’t been too much of a time commitment; it’s really low-stress, just a fun thing to do,” said Rogers.

Sasha Carnes ’19:

Stage Hand

Sasha Carnes ’19 has been working on the Grasshopper tech team for her entire tenure at Andover. Even though she is experiencing Grasshopper for the fourth time, she still finds the acts fantastic and fun to watch.

“This year’s Grasshopper has been running much more smoothly than in the past. Between everyone involved with tech, we’ve worked a collective 20 times on the show, so there’s a lot of experience driving the efficiency.”

Hosshini Suraj ’19:

Stage Hands

As an experienced member of the tech team, Suraj has become familiar with the responsibilities of a stagehand. Still, challenges present themselves every year.

“[Some of the stagehands] need to move heavy objects quickly, without making noise and in the dark. Also, there are a ton of cues. I love tech and the people in it. I’ve been doing it since [Junior] Year. Although it might be a big time commitment, the end result is worth it.”

Myles Ringel ’21:

Stage Hand

Although he has not been involved with Grasshopper in the past, Ringel brings four years of tech experience and finds a sense of self in his work with other tech team members.

“I love teching; though I know it is cliché, every single technician which I have interacted with makes the experience infinitely better. This year’s theme ‘Good versus Evil’ has [led] all of the performing groups to make interesting choices from a technical perspective as well as a theatrical perspective.”

Katharine Wang ’19:

Stage Hand

Wang describes the responsibilities of a stage hand as moving props both on and off stage and operating the curtains. Moving away from the backstage, she and the Senior stagehands have organized a musical performance celebrating their last year working together for Grasshopper.

“We’re excited [for the performance], although… all of us have major stage fright, so I don’t know how it’s going to go when we’re playing to an audience.”