This week marks the opening night of the Livingston High School Theater spring musical, “Cinderella.” Tickets are still on sale at lhstheater.com and performances will be held at 7 p.m. on March 7, 8, and 9, as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on March 9.
Behind the Scenes
To make a production of this scale come to life, there is a tremendous effort behind the scenes spanning many months and involving scores of people. The LHS Theater production team and crew, made up of teachers and students, are, quite literally, the nuts and bolts of the show. Teacher and technical director Brian Megaro has been working with many skilled students. There are endless opportunities for students who may not crave being in the spotlight on stage, but who are invaluable behind the scenes. And many of these students take on essential leadership roles.
Students like production manager Gillian Weiss and assistant production manager Hannah Simon are coordinating ticket sales. They are also responsible for collecting ads and other information for the playbill. Cat Powers, the student director, is at every rehearsal to offer feedback and suggestions to director Scott Patteson.
Ava Thomas, the stage manager, and her assistant, Spencer Ellenbogen, call the show through headphones to other crew teams from the balcony andhave to learn every single cue to ensure that timing is perfect. Kim Falco, the props manager, is responsible for creating props and making sure that they are where they need to be so that actors can use them to tell the story properly.
In addition, the crew is run by Simone McMichael, the technical manager, who helps with scene changes and manages the run crew in the wings offstage.
As a period piece, “Cinderella” also involves period-appropriate dancing. Under the guidance of teacher and choreographer Amanda Bigelow, student choreographers (Continued on Page A-6) Ava-Rachel Lieber and Raquel Silva spent countless hours teaching dance sequences and helping the student actors perfect these dances in often cumbersome costumes.
The elaborate ensembles and costume changes that are involved in this production are quite complex. Under the tutelage of Barbara Geiger and Alyssa LaMedica, students essentially have received an apprenticeship in costume design, and then become leaders themselves. Student costume manager Leah Margolis and assistant Ciara McGuirk, along with student costume designer Emma Blanco-Costav and assistant Renee Cheung, along with their team, are responsible for renting and designing costumes, as well as coordinating quick changes throughout the show.
Student makeup designer Rita Gordon and her team manage hair and makeup for the cast, working to ensure the actors on stage appear authentic even from the back row of the audience.
Lighting a show is also no small task. Students like lighting designer and engineer Sierra Wade and assistant lighting engineer Chris Ferrell ensure that the actors can be seen, using the lights to direct focus and convey mood. They also handle special effects.
Sound is also integral to any theatrical experience. Student sound engineer Lauren Raiss and assistant sound engineer Ash Litwack, along with help from fellow students Dexter Coakley and Caitlin Halleran, mix sound levels during the show, balancing the musicians and actors. They run microphone checks before each show, and contribute the sound effects.
Essential to the sound of the show is the orchestra, and 75% of the pit orchestra for “Cinderella” is made up of LHS students.
In addition, students handle public relations and art for the show. Jasmine Wang and Karter Eagen have been responsible for designing the show t-shirt. Student Bailey Kim who, as the scenic artist, leads a team responsible for painting the set. This is in addition to the dozens of students who assist on these various production teams and behind the scenes. Break a leg!
Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Shari Mintz.
