Applause echoes through the TPAC. After taking in cheers earned after a 90 minute performance, the cast of Beowulf turn and point behind the audience, at a box holding most of the tech crew. The audience cheers again, this time for the tech, and in that moment the crew is in the spotlight, an odd feeling for those trained to not be noticed. 

The Beowulf shows were filled with firsts from the technical side: glowing LED lights embedded in the floor, projections that transformed the theater, suits of armor, and the largest number of student designers in Bishop’s production history. The student actors brought the story of Beowulf to life, but their world — the light, set, sound, color — was created by the students enrolled in Technical Theater 1 and Honors Tech Production.

The role of those enrolled in technical theater is to elevate the production, helping the play reach the level of professionalism the audience sees. Sarah Balfour (‘28), the on-deck stage manager for Beowulf, explained, “people often come see shows and are impressed with the actors when there’s really so much more going on.”

Evan Chang ('28)

Rachel Xu (‘29), the sound and projection operator, practices her cues during a rehearsal.

The setting was designed by Mr. Kyle Melton, the Technical Theater and Design Teacher, with the help of Jack Rudy (‘26). The projections, sound, lights, and costumes were designed by Sophie Zeng (‘26), Ariadne Georgiou (‘26), Adam Fang (‘27), and Advanced Tech Production Costumes respectively, with the help of Ms. Jean Moroney, the Costume Design Teacher. 

Prior to tech week, students in tech theater made sure the actors had good footing — literally. Before this year, the floor of the stage told its own story. Covered in scratches, and layers of paint, over 20 years of theater was left on the floor. Students removed and resurfaced the paint, creating a new smooth ground. It’s such a small detail that the audience most likely wouldn’t notice, however it’s all these little details that create the polished version of the play that is presented.

What the audience probably did notice though were the floor lights. Serena Jaiclin (‘27) worked as the master electrician on Beowulf and installed the LED lights seen on the floor. She soldered the LEDs, made connectors, put together power supplies, and addressed them to the lighting system with the correct cables. “I feel like most people just noticed that and be like oh, that’s a cool, like part of step,” she said, “but I don’t think they understand that an actual student here did that.”

With new lights, Adam Fang (‘27), the lighting designer, needed to incorporate them into the lighting of the play. Every time the lights dimmed, changed color, or shined a spotlight on someone, that was all Adam. Most of his work was done during tech week, in the week prior to the show. He needed to see the actors on stage to create the lighting which fit the vibe of the scene, while also keeping the audience’s eyes on the actors. “It’s a lot of work,” he said, “but it definitely looks cool.”

For Edward Baek (‘28), the show represented months of preparation and hard work. A member of technical theater since eighth grade, Edward was the stage manager, a first of his tech career. “I call the show,” he explained, “meaning I tell the sound operator and the light and operator what to do during performances.” Throughout tech week, Edward created and learned the cues to the show, at what specific lines to change the lighting, call a projection, or start a sound. 

Being a stage manager means understanding the play. Prior to tech week, Edward and Sarah attended all the rehearsals for the play, starting eight weeks before tech. To manage their time, they created a system. Edward would attend on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Sarah would attend on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, making sure that at least one of them was always there to observe, while giving them a little more free time.

Evan Chang (‘28)

Serena Jaiclin (‘27) front left, and Halyn Chon (‘27) back right, rehearse a scene change, setting up a table for the meeting between Beowulf and the Danes.

Tech comes with a big time commitment. In the weeks the play runs, every day before Thursday, Friday, and Saturday — where the audience views the play — is spent making sure the play is as perfect as can be. During “tech week” the play is seen for the first time with all the tech present, as the name suggests. Finishing touches are put on design, and stage managers and setting operators practice their cues for the first time. The students involved in the play are expected to stay until seven, each day during tech week. 

The fall play often aligns with midterms, giving students a chance to unwind and watch a show after a week of testing, but unfortunately for those in tech, the already busy midterm schedule becomes all the more so busy with tech week.

Edward laughed when asked how he managed his workload. “I don’t,” he joked. During tech week Edward tries to finish all his homework over the weekend, so he can put it out of mind with shortened time constraints. Sarah noted that homework can be a challenge, but she said, “the motivation from tech makes it okay staying up later.”

When they have an upcoming play, the echoing sentiment for those in tech is excitement, with a bit of nerves. For Weston Gaylord (‘29), the lighting operator, the show is his first as a member of high school tech. The amount of people going to Beowulf is more than the projects he worked on in middle school tech, and the idea of being able to work for so many people excites him. 

For Rachel Xu (‘29), the sound and projection operator, Beowulf is her first show ever as a part of tech. She looked forward to understanding the process behind how a show runs, and the technical side behind it. However, the thought of missing a cue makes her nervous. “Sometimes when it’s dark in here, I miss cues,” she said, taking note of the awkwardness if music or a projection of the ocean popping up at the wrong time.

The community also stays a vital part in keeping tech week fun. Sarah noted, “I really like hanging out with the cast and crew, I think there’s so many cool people that do theater.” She added, “you’re spending so much time here that it could be such a boring experience.” Edward echoed that sentiment, as he expressed his excitement for everything, but especially to talk with the people involved in Beowulf.

The magic of Beowulf lied not only with the actors, but also with the tech crew. “Although the actual show is only an hour and thirty minutes, it takes about 100 times the time,” Edward said. And as the audience cheers for the actors and the finished projects, members of tech feel pride in their role in creating something worthy of such applause. 

Members of tech on Beowulf: 

Stage Managers: Edward Baek (‘28), Sarah Balfour (‘28)

Stage Management Advisor: Ella Foppiano (‘27)

Scenic Designer: Kyle Melton

Assistant Scenic Designer: Jack Rudy (‘26)

Lighting Designer: Adam Fang (‘27)

Costume Design: ATP Costumes

Projection Designer: Sophie Zeng (‘26)

Sound Designer: Ariadne Georgiou (‘26)

Master Electrician: Serena Jaiclin (‘27)

Model Maker: Halyn Chon (‘27)

Technical Director: Kyle Melton

Associate Technical Directors: Loic Smedra (‘26), Sherwin You (‘26)

Light Board Operator: Weston Gaylord (‘29)

Sound Operator: Rachel Xu (‘29)

State Crew: Halyn Chon, Serena Jaiclin