To make a hit, students, teachers put in hours of work

Tech Theater lights up the stage

For “Holiday Spectacular,” the technical theater crew works during all of its class periods as well as Monday through Thursday after school until about 5:30 p.m. According to Jason Sipe, auditorium and technical director, along with devoting a large amount of time, the technical crew must also possess a wide range of skills – from properly mopping the floor to manning the stage lighting. “It’s mind boggling the scope of work it really requires,” he said.

Working with lighting will be a big part of “Holiday Spectacular” this year. According to Shane “Zach” Conrad, stage manager and senior, because of the short amount of time between the fall production and “Holiday Spectacular,” the technical crew plans to focus on lights and sound rather than large-scale set construction.

Sipe said, “We’re going to offset some of that large-scale construction with more lighting and other means to get the spectacular without having to have tons and tons of dead trees.”

Conrad said the goal is to draw the audience’s attention to the performers. He said, “We don’t want them focused, looking at our pretty lights, even though they are very pretty. We want them focused on what’s going on onstage.” By Meredith Boyd

Economy influences costume budget

Choir directors are trying to find ways to conserve money while still presenting a fun and entertaining show for viewers. According to Shane “Zach” Conrad, stage manager and senior, the planning and designing of costumes starts all the way back in September or October, but unlike previous years, the economy has been able to play a sufficient role in the production and design of these costumes.

“With the state of the economy, we might as well use our resources as well as we can,” Conrad said. This year in particular, she said, the directors and everyone involved with the production are trying to use the materials that Carmel already has to their advantage. By Audrey Bailey

Performers try to look the part

When it comes to makeup and hair, for the most part, the students a

re responsible for themselves. There are some things, though, for which the directors give strict guidelines. According to Ambassador and junior Allison Scott, the Ambassadors are obligated to wear the same lipstick and earrings during the performance, while hair usually has to be up, out of the face, or curled.

According to Conrad, by the time “Holiday Spectacular” is in motion, students understand the expectations and the guidelines included in the performance.

She said, “They know what stage hair is, they know what stage makeup is, it’s all part of what they know.” By Audrey Bailey