In the theater world, the actors are known to be the ones who shine on stage. Whether they are belting the last note of “Giants in the Sky” from Into the Woods, executing the complicated and challenging solo dances featured in Hadestown, or giving an emotional performance of Laertes after Ophelia’s tragic death in Hamlet, they consistently shine on stage.         

  Whether it be on or off Broadway, when one thinks of theater, the actors and actresses are the first things that come to mind, their talent and devotion to the arts. But people are often so distracted by the shiny dresses and bright lights they forget who really runs the show, the crew. 

   Without a well-oiled crew, the show does not go on, and one of the most important people in making the Hudson High School Drama Club productions so amazing is Junior Annie Lawrence. She is the unseen hero behind the curtains and has devoted her high school life to Drama Club. 

   Lawrence has been working on crew since her freshman year and has proudly carried the title of Scenic Coordinator since the beginning of her sophomore year. 

   Lawrence states, ”As a scenic coordinator at work calls, I just help facilitate what others are doing. I’m kind of, like, a little backup for Bob.” 

   Along with being a key person at work calls, she has now taken on a much larger role when it comes to scenic design. Lawrence plans on continuing scenic design in college and was asked by our director to make the sketches and outlines for the set of Hadestown. 

“Now to actually see [my sketches] come to life, I think that’s been the coolest part, just seeing it in person.”

  — ANNIE LAWRENCE/Junior

   It then turned into a 6-month-long collaboration between her and director Bob Russell. ”It all started off as just little sketches on graphing paper, and then now to actually see it come to life, I think that’s been the coolest part, just seeing it in person.” 

   Starting with just some sketches on paper and then taking wood and nails to start making this dream come true has been such an adventure for Lawrence. Although it takes a lot of time and work, this is something Lawrence knows all about. Over the past three years, she gained hundreds of work call hours from being there on Friday, Saturday and the occasional Monday work call. 

Not only does Lawrence play a key role in building the sets, but she is also an officer for the International Thespian Society. She was elected to be the secretary at the end of her sophomore year; her job consists of gathering all the bios from crew, cast, and orchestra members for each show, taking notes at the monthly Thespian meetings, and creating the programs sold on each show night.

   Lawrence expresses, “I think it’s fun. It gives me another little insight on the club. I have the role of scenic coordinator, which is big, but being an officer as well gives me, like, an inside scoop on how the program works. I love doing it and then seeing it produced, and then people can enjoy it.” If you think Lawrence wasn’t doing enough, just wait until you read about her other extracurriculars. In the fall she plays on the girls golf team; she enjoys connecting with the coaches and being in a positive environment.   Lawrence is also a part of the National Art Society, which focuses on outreach through art in the community. Most recently, at the beginning of this school year, Lawrence saw a flyer hiring coaches at the gym she used to go to for gymnastics. Lawrence competed in gymnastics for six years, leaving her freshman year to focus more on art and theater. 

“I love doing it and then seeing it produced, and then people can enjoy it.”

 

                        — ANNIE LAWRENCE/Junior

   Lawrence expresses, “It was one of my favorite places. It was like a second family there.” She has missed it very deeply, so this has been a way for her to get back in touch with one of her hidden passions. She teaches two- to four-year-old classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

   Now what exactly does Lawrence do when the shows are being performed? Well, she has arguably the most important crew role there is; stage manager (SM). She comes to blocking rehearsals throughout the week to take notes on performers placement and where and when set pieces are moved on and off stage. That way when it is tech week, she can be at the sound table in the back of the auditorium, calling cues over her headset to the assistant stage managers (ASMs) on stage left and stage right so they know when to move set pieces on and off. 

   Lawrence states, “I love being at the table. It’s a little group of, like, four or five of us, and it’s so chill. You don’t have any of the chaos backstage. And it also just gives me an opportunity to watch the show. It’s cool to see the progression over the next few weeks of having a whole show. I don’t know, there’s something different about being a stage manager.” 

   Lawrence has always loved the opportunities being an ASM and SM provides, from seeing rehearsals start in September where actors are still holding scripts to going through tech week when the magic of lights and sound is added to the final product on opening night. 

   On April 12, 13 and 14, the Hadestown Teen edition will be performed by the Hudson High School Drama Club. Look for Lawrence, who will be working behind the curtains as an assistant stage manager!