While the Cinnaminson Drama program is filled with talented students who enjoy expressing themselves in theater productions, not all of the talent and effort is performed on the stage.
Acting behind the scenes of each drama club’s performance is the stage crew, which consists of a group of students who help build and design the set, assist with props and costumes in between scenes, and manage the lighting and sounds for each performance.
CHS art teacher Colleen DePietro oversees this group of students – who without their efforts – the drama club’s plays would be difficult to perform.
Cooper Bonsteel, a senior in Stage Crew as well as the sound technician, noted the impact DePietro’s guidance has had on him over the years.
“One of the things that I’ve progressed in doing is that she has taught me a lot of ways to just be a better worker,” Bonsteel said.
Bonsteel said he believes that the performances go both ways as both the cast and the crew contribute to and influence the mood and atmosphere of each show.
Ava Gilardi, a senior in stage crew, also agrees.
“It’s not just watching people recite lines, it’s watching a story, and that’s what crew helps to bring it all together,” Gilardi said.
DePietro emphasizes it is the collaboration of the performers with the stage crew and musicians that allow for the full story to be told.
“We help bring the director’s vision to reality by adding visual effects, scenery to the actors, and helping the musical come to life,” DePietro said.
Bonsteel, DePietro, and Gilardi describe the crew as a hands-on community, unlike other programs at CHS. They encourage more students to get involved.
“Stage crew is unlike any other club or activity at the school because it teaches you a lot of really useful skills,” DePietro said.
Although being a part of the crew can start to seem routine, like every show, the duties will eventually end. This means the responsibilities and efforts for the next show to come will need to be passed down to the underclassmen.
“It’s just such a good community filled with so many nice people and teachers that I’m really going to miss,” Bonsteel said, expressing the bittersweetness of “Little Shop of Horrors” ending.
Even though this year’s musical has concluded, DePietro points out the growth that all the students have made throughout their time as crew. She notes that as time progressed, the students became more independent in building and designing sets.
“When I started in my sophomore year, I had never touched a power tool before, so Mrs. DePietro really helped every single one of us when we started stage crew,” Bonsteel said.
