Around this time every year, dozens of stories are published about Spring Sing — the theme, the directors, the clubs, the show itself.
However, those behind the curtain or at the back of the auditorium are not often talked about.
Senior mathematics major Levi Mason has been working with Spring Sing since his freshman year. Mason is the lighting designer for this year’s club shows. Mason designs and manages the lighting for all of the shows.
Since mid-February, he has been working with show directors and consulting them on how to create the atmosphere for their shows.
“The thing I really like about theater is that I can transport people to another world,” Mason said. “As a technician, I get to build the world, and I get to help those actors portray those stories.”
Although much work goes on behind the curtains, there is also work to be done off the stage.
As a branch of the Public Safety Department, ushers help the audience to their seats as well as monitor the crowd during the performance.
Senior Chase Adair has been a Spring Sing usher for two years and said he has enjoyed every moment. Adair said his favorite part of being an usher is interacting with people who come to the show.
“It’s a good, social way of being able to help people and being able to interact with different people while you’re helping them,” Adair said.
This year will be senior Brad Hendrickson’s fourth year as a Spring Sing usher. Hendrickson said many people do not realize how many opportunities the staff has to see the show, which he said is the best part.
“It’s a real joy to watch shows go from good performances on Thursday to great, passionate entertainment for the awards on Saturday night,” Hendrickson said.
Altogether, Mason, Adair and Henderickson cover a variety of positions that contribute to the production of Spring Sing. Other behind the scenes jobs include: stagehands, costume designers, soundboard controllers, makeup artists, set designers and many others.
