The Coronation: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Queens

By: Annabelle Kennedy (Staff Writer )

George Washington High School's tech crew of 20 students is taking on a big challenge this semester: the upcoming production of 'Queens.'

A lot of work is put into a play by the tech crew, from creating sets, to managing technical issues like lights and soundboard, to even dealing with a stopped-up sink. Preparing for ‘Queens’ has taken working for upwards of two hours a day after school for the last 2 months, but according to tech crew member Jimmy Anderson: “On the weekends it can take longer, it can go up to four and a half hours [on Saturdays]” 

Their duties include building and painting huge set pieces - such as individual stands for certain characters, and a colorful background panel - and carrying heavy wood beams and paint buckets up from the workshop beneath the stage. “There’s lots of hands-on work.” added Jimmy. “We’re working with drills and nails, which means we have to wear gloves to protect our hands. It’s fun painting the background of the sets.” 

However, fun doesn’t mean production isn’t without its challenges. Director Lucy Rydell has taken the brunt of this, having to shoulder the work of several different titles in order to complete the show before opening night. “I am one person doing many many jobs. Normally, many people come together to do all the work necessary to produce a show.” Rydell emphasized. “However, in general, many many jobs are my responsibility … It's impossible for me to give each job as much one-on-one time as it needs, so Wash Drama thrives when student designers get involved and take ownership of the process, however they can”.

This was evident with the Fall play, “Attention: It’s Free”, where the cast got to create their own script from the ground up. Because the students built the show from scratch, they also get to choose the amount of props and set pieces, and by extension the amount of work that tech crew has to put into the show. Over time, theater tech has evolved into a well-oiled machine turning in sync with the other groups of the theater department as a whole.  

Many people attend George Washington High School’s productions, but few know how much time and effort is put in by the tech crew to put the show together. They are the backbone of the performances, in charge of everything behind the scenes; students and staff working together to create an opening night that will leave a lasting impact on the viewers and demonstrate their hard work. “Here at GWHS, the theater department is absolutely incredible, there is a wealth of resources available here, and I feel so blessed and lucky to be here.” stated Ms. Rydell. As the tech crew continues to work on putting together current and future productions, it is anticipated that more students will want to explore the process of creating a play. Queens’ is expected to premiere on Wednesday, March 19, at 1:15 p.m.