A Peek Behind the Curtain

Get a sneak peek behind the scenes of PHUHS’s Spring 2023 Production of The Crucible.

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With PHUHS’s production of The Crucible in the works, we are all eager to get the inside scoop in anticipation for opening night. Read some juicy interviews by our very own crew heads, Eliza Lane (‘24) and Laith Becker (‘24). 

 

Eliza Lane (‘24) 

1. What is your favorite thing about being part of the drama program at PHUHS? 

“My favorite thing about drama is the people involved- it’s such a warm and friendly community that’s very accepting of everyone’s interests and identities.”

2. Is this your first production that you have participated in? What is it like to prepare for this production? 

“This is my fifth full-scale production if you count the first Crucible. Preparing for any production entails lots of rehearsal for everyone- I tend to work most closely with lights crew so it’s a lot of planning and recording cues, setting up equipment, and problem solving when things inevitably stop working. It’s quite a haul- the last week before a show we typically get out of 2pm rehearsal around 10pm.”

3. What’s your job title and what do you do?

“I’m currently one of the two troupe 5590 technical directors, meaning I’m responsible for the organization and facilitation of all crews throughout productions. For me, this looks like a lot of check-ins, communal goals, and meetings, but I also still contribute fairly heavily to lights crew.”

4. What are you most excited for in this experience?

“This production is unique because the PHU remount is just a precursor to our performance at the Straz Center over spring break! I’m super excited to work with all of their technology and create a production in such an interesting and professional space!”

5. How do you think audience members can relate to this production?

“I think the Crucible bears a lot of relevance today with its touching on the spread of false information and the impact of that on relationships and society. I think a lot of people can relate to feeling like they don’t know what to believe, as well as maybe to experiencing some really tragic consequences as a result of lies and deception.”

 

Laith Becker (‘24) 

1. What is your favorite thing about being part of the drama program at PHUHS?

“I would say the people I get to spend time with and the amazing community we have. Aside from how fun technically producing or acting in a show can be, I’ve made so many close friendships through my time spent in the drama program, and events like States are all the more fun from these friendships”

2. Is this your first production that you’ve participated in? What is it like to prepare for this production? 

“It isn’t, I was in the lights crew for our production of The Little Mermaid in the 2021-2022 year, which was such a fun show both on and offstage. Doing tech for productions can be a lot, and each crew has various roles which all need to work together for a successful show. Preparing for productions can be stressful (especially during the week prior to the show), but seeing all your work come together to make something really cool is always worth it”

3. What’s your job title and what do you do for it? 

“I’m the lights crew head, which means I lead our lights crew throughout the production process. Aside from teaching other members of the crew, creating lighting designs and programming these designs into our light board is a major responsibility of mine and others on the crew.”

4. What are you most excited for in this experience? 

“Since this will be our remount show of The Crucible, I’m excited to fix and refine some elements of our first production. Since we will get to perform this at a theatre in the Straz Center, I’m also excited to be able to use more advanced technology and fixtures.”

5. How do you think audience members can relate to this production?

“I think the political name-calling and labeling we see today heavily parallels the accusatory nature of individuals we see in The Crucible.”

“If you are interested in how the hard work of our school’s crew and cast pays off, go see The Crucible March 10 at 6:00 in the school theater, and follow @phutroupe5590 on Instagram for more updates about the show!”