In a play, the actors are the most prominent people, the people that are always seen and noticed. The viewers’ forget about the people behind the scenes, the stage crew that makes the magic onstage happen.

Because most people want to be onstage and acting, the stage crew usually has more people drop out than actors. On average, there are about twenty people on the stage crew in productions; in this play, Anne of Green Gables, there are twenty-one.

There are many positions in stage crew, which includes assistant director, tech director, and stage crew manager.

Senior Emma Dobiash is the stage crew manager of the current production Anne of Green Gables. Ryan Miller, a former student of LP, has returned to be tech director.

In order to become stage crew manager, one must apply for the position, as well as be involved in theater. This person must have to love the theater, and be very dedicated to it.

Being stage crew manager takes a lot of responsibility, because stage crew manager is the highest position a student can have in the stage crew. The stage crew manager directs of the stage crew.

The stage crew manager tries to keep things running smoothly throughout the shows and rehearsals. Trying to make things run easily can be very difficult as having so many people in the stage crew can cause problems.

“The Friday Night Curse” is one of the biggest problems the stage crew encounters.

“‘The Friday Night Curse’ always happens during the Friday night showing of the production,” Dobiash said, “It is when something big always goes wrong, and the stage crew has to make sure that whatever happens, the show goes on.”

Dobiash has never seen a set fall down in her two years and four shows; but she has had to deal with problems such as broken glass and microphones going down.

To keep everyone focused on their tasks, there is a belief that the people will do their jobs and do them well.

“If I have to yell I will, but most of the time I have a high expectation for these people and there is also a high level of dedication that must be upheld. I yell as my last alternative,” Dobiash said.

Even though the stage crew is the least noticed, they are some of the most important people in the production. The stage crew is the group that keeps the show going and makes it possible for the entertainment of others.

The LPHS theater department is performing the play Anne of Green Gables Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14, in the auditorium at 7pm both nights. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at www.shautix4u.com and at the door, but tickets do sell out quickly and may not be available at the door.