Zack M. (Grade 8) brought his creativity and problem-solving skills to the role of stage manager for the Middle School Theatre production A Year with Frog & Toad. For the past three years, Zack has managed behind-the-scenes theatre at Meadowridge, overseeing the coordination of everything from cues to cast movements. His leadership, driven by focus and humour, keeps the show on track.

Could you share a bit about your experience in stage tech for the last three years and what you know about BTS management?

As Stage Manager, my role involves directing and executing the required tasks. I am responsible for posting people to different jobs and ensuring they’re done correctly. I also have to deal with problems that might occur before, during, and after performances. Sometimes, I need to reassign jobs or fix a broken set during a quick scene change. I manage stage pressure by checking up on my crew and the cast because if they’re good, I know things will be okay. I sometimes visualize the changes to make myself more confident when we’re close to a scene change.

What was your favourite part of being in A Year With Frog and Toad?

My favourite part of A Year With Frog and Toad was getting to know people better. Before they join backstage, they’re friends or classmates, but after working together, they become part of my team. I also love the role's responsibility—it sets a challenge to overcome, and I enjoy rising to the occasion.

How did opening night feel? Are there any standout moments?

Opening night was organized chaos. We were all worried because we had just finished rehearsing and refining the day before. I had to review the job assignments with my crew, reiterating and clarifying what we had to do. To my relief, the crew performed their tasks flawlessly. After the show, everyone went wild with excitement, relieved that the first night was a success. It was one of the best opening nights in a show.

What’s something about the tech crew you wish people noticed?

I wish people knew that the crew work as hard as the actors. We must get our cues right, memorize jobs and scenes, and more. We may not be seen, but we’re doing our jobs backstage to ensure everything is perfect on stage. If you think, “No worries, it’s all chill and easy backstage,” think again. We move around with haste, avoid bumping into actors in dim light, and execute many tasks in under fifty seconds at a time. I don’t think being a crew member is more complicated than acting or vice versa, as both roles come with their unique challenges.

My experience in one sentence:

One of the craziest performances I’ve done with the best backstage crew I’ve had, and an experience I will never forget.

Zack’s experience demonstrates the hard work and dedication behind the scenes that make every production successful. Clearly, actors and tech crew members are essential to bringing the magic of theatre to life.