When the musical comes around each year, people focus on the on-stage performers, but their success is based on the support of those who get little recognition until the curtain call at the end of the performances.

Some of these people are in the stage crew, which includes the roles of stage manager, running crew and set designers.

Freaky Friday has two stage managers–senior Madison Malo and junior Jessica LaFond– who oversee the work of the crews and lead stage crew meetings.

In explaining the role, Malo said, “It sounds like a lot, but in reality the overarching job is to make sure that the crew is ready and the show runs smoothly.”

The running crew consists of nine people who all work together to keep the musical going. They are the people who run across the stage between scenes, taking and putting together sets and props. 

For Freaky Friday the running crew includes Addisyn Barker, Julia Gutowski, Izzy Jackson, Mikayla Jacque, Ngoclam Nguyen, Ava Parker and Teresa Schmitt along with the stage managers.

Although the stage crew is a lot of work, many members have made so many new connections and memories.

Junior Nguyen said she joined the crew to “get involved,” a sentiment echoed by Jackson, “I joined the stage crew because I wanted to be part of the behind-the-scenes action. It is exciting to see everything come together, and it promotes teamwork.”

Gutowski, a freshman, elaborated on the role: “Being a running member means taking time out of your day to show up to practice helping and being kind. You have to be supportive of the people around you and keep a positive attitude.”

Other unsung heroes in the production are the set builders who work under the direction of Mrs. Joey Rickards.  Audrey Owusu, Angelina Stachura and alum Evie Rickards can take pride in their handiwork this weekend.