STAGING STORIES: Crew member pours paint for set decoration.
Photo courtesy of Emily MacIntyre ’27
When watching a stage performance, what do you first notice: the visuals, scenery, or the auditory cues? Beyond the actors, a team of students works behind the scenes to bring the show to life. Tech crew members are responsible for every technical and visual element of the production. While actors stun on stage, the crew builds sets, executes lighting cues, and works hard to keep the show running. The Episcopal Academy’s technical crew consists of dedicated students who express their creativity through the visual and technical aspects of performing arts.
The tech crew spends countless hours working hard to bring magic to EA’s performances. Daniel Grayberg, the Technical Theater Director and Manager, notes, “They’re all here to work on the show and be a part of the show without being on stage. They want to do that magic.” While some joined to meet their sports requirements, and others joined to pursue their interests in the visual and technical appeal of tech crew, these students come together and form “one big family,” as Sophie Cossel ’29 says. At EA, the technical crew’s collaborative skills, commitment, and active work behind the scenes help to creatively shape each production.
What makes the tech crew at EA so special is their ability to work collectively as a group, a prevalent detail that is not often seen within technical groups. Elizabeth Mann ’27, a member of the technical crew and the Domino Board, explains that some members may be “more eccentric than others,” but the environment of the tech crew is accepting and focused on cooperation rather than drama. Alyssa Martin ’28 comments that they are “as engaged with the material and story as the cast is,” demonstrating their dedication to creating a world that brings the production to life. The overall sense of enjoyment in doing what they love is a key reason why they work so well together in making the performance seem enchanting.
Whenever there is a problem, the group focuses on preserving the magic of the production in a discreet way. They evaluate the severity of the issue and whether or not it impacts the audience’s perception. Grayberg notes that “sometimes it’s fun too, doing something nobody knew about.” There’s a sense of enjoyment and excitement in solving problems invisibly, being the “unsung hero that you didn’t know you needed,” as Grayberg puts it, who saves the moment without bringing attention to it. EA’s technical crew proves that being able to successfully solve a problem leaves a satisfying feeling of accomplishment, a result of the meaningful work they’ve completed. For the tech crew, the true reward is looking back and saying ‘I helped make this happen’ when a set is complete, even if others don’t know about their contributions. Once the show has concluded, EA’s tech crew moves straight into preparing for the next production, creating a continuous cycle of bonding, creativity, and magic.
CREATIVE BACKBONE: Students work with wood to build the set.
Photo courtesy of Emily MacIntyre ’27