By Ellie Smith
Features Editor
Crowds of people file into the performing arts center, taking their seats and reading the program in anticipation of the performance that is just minutes from beginning. As the curtains open and the actors take the stage in full costume, the audience is unaware of the stage crew running around behind the scenes, setting up the set for the next act and making sure the show runs smoothly.
Stage manager Dayle Welch spends the performance watching from the booth located in the back of the theater, calling the show, telling members of the stage crew when to hit the lights, managing the sound and controlling the times for a set change.
At the other end of the PAC, assistant director Maggie Basinas sits with director Michael Towers taking notes throughout the show and solving any problems that come up during the performance.
Months of preparation and countless five hour rehearsals all lead up to one of the biggest and most exciting shows to ever be performed at WA. For the 50th performance and WATA’s 15th year at WA, the alumni of WATA will return to Westford Academy to perform in Les Miserables.
“It’s the biggest show we have ever done,” said Basinas. “It is one of the best musicals ever written, ever produced, so just doing it in kind of like an honor to everyone in a way. It is like a dream come true.”
In preparation for the performances, members of the stage crew work together to construct elements of the set. Welch is in charge of making sure all pieces of the set are built and ensuring that the lighting and sound is prepared in time for the show.
Acting previously before high school, Welch switched to helping out as a member of the stage crew. She enjoys being involved in the building of the set and feeling accomplished after all of the hard work put in.
“I like at the very end, when everything is done and the set is built, you can say ‘I did that,'” said Welch.
Before each rehearsal, Basinas communicates to the actors which scenes they will be rehearsing and tells them which actors will be performing the scenes with them. She attends the rehearsals and makes sure everything is running smoothly both in the choir room and on the stage.
Basinas is both an actress and an assistant director, having acted in shows in previous years both at WA and as a child. She likes watching all aspects of the show merge into one final show.
“Seeing something that you’ve been wanting for so long start to really evolve and seeing it slowly come together before your eyes, I just love it. I think it is so cool and makes you want to do more,” said Basinas.
To become the assistant director, Basinas submitted a response to a series of questions at the end of her sophomore year. These prompts included which season she preferred to direct and reasons why she deserved to be the assistant director.
During the Academy Awards, Basinas was overwhelmed with emotion when it was announced that she would be the assistant director for Les Miserables, one of the biggest shows to ever be performed at WA. She recalls that when best friend Welch’s name was announced for the stage manager position, Basinas shouted, “dream team!”
As the performance starts to come together, both the stage crew and the actors become increasingly more excited and anxious for the upcoming show.
Director Michael Towers is confident in his stage technicians and explains that without them, Les Miserables would not be possible.
“There is always the collaboration between the designer technicians and the actors and without that component, there really is no show,” said Towers. “This show in particular is incredibly heavy driven and supported by these technicians. There would not be a show without them.”
