Stage managers Cadence Rish (’25) and Madeline Cornish (’27) are in charge of raising and lowering the curtain and making sure all performers are in place before their act starts.
“My favorite part about being a stage manager is when I hype people up before they go on stage,” said Rish. “It’s very nerve-wracking to be a part of Follies but it can also be exciting, which I try to remind people of.”
According to Cornish, a big part of the job is making sure all cast members are on stage before each individual performance starts.
The other main aspect of the job is managing the curtains.
“The hardest part of my job is timing because it is everything for the stage manager,” said Rish. “It’s my job to know when the curtains need to be opened or closed and how they line up with every act.”
Sophomores Peyton Bobolz and Maxson Case make up this year’s spotlight team. Their job is to center spotlights on performers onstage, particularly soloists and small ensembles.
According to Bobolz, a big part of the job is being ready for anything. “The other day the lights went off weirdly so I had to spot last minute,” she said.
Additionally, a harder aspect of the job is waiting between acts that don’t require the spotlight. “There is a long time between acts that require the spot and [it] can get tiring standing waiting,” said Case.
Both Bobolz and Case are apart of varsity choir’s Annie medley. According to Bobolz, you have to be sure to move quickly to be at your performance on time and then be ready to switch back to spotlight right after.
Both Bobolz and Case agree that the fun in spotlight is being a part of the show. “I enjoy spotting because I like helping people out,” said Bobolz.
The microphone team is tasked with all things mics: putting them on and taking them off various cast members, changing batteries, and taking care of the mics before and after shows.
Madison Heard (’27), Jamie Tinajero (’27), Sophia Fitzgerald (’27) and Nolan Ott (’26) make up this year’s mic crew.
“I love being able to help people and encourage them before they go onstage,” said Heard. “It is really fun to work with people behind the scenes and support them!”
“I like the sense of responsibility the job gives me. It feels like I’m an even bigger piece of the show than just a performer,” added Tinajero.
However, switching between crew and performer can be difficult. “The hardest part of being on the mic crew is juggling all of the mic responsibilities while also being a performer yourself,” said Heard, who sings in varsity choir’s Annie Medley and in the Mamma Mia Medley.
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Chorale performs the Wicked medley. Pictured in front are dancers (L to R) Amyiah Whaley, Zerik Nicholson, Hannah Jacobson, and Michael Johnson.
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The concert choir rehearses their Les Miserables medley during a practice session leading up to the show.
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Acacia Allen performs Flowers from the musical Hadestown.
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The Mason City Dance Team performs their act, titled “All That Jazz.”
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Berlin (’27) and Kinnick (’28) Iles perform their duet, titled Partner In Crime.
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Bryliegh Kittleson performs a short solo during concert choir’s performance of a medley from Les Miserables.
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(L to R) Aidan Manness, Henry Hansen, Aiden Lein, Jaxson Rattay, Ambrose Luong, and Riley Beitel perform their Robbery Redemption skit.
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The Mamma Mia or ABBA Medley performs their piece. (L to R) Acacia Allen (’27), Elise Dykstra (’26), Kayla Eide (’26), Sofia Ahari (’26), Kaitlyn Thangaraj (’26), Madison Heard (’27), Addyson Nepple (’25), Amyiah Whaley (’25), and Elsie Giere (’26).
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(L to R) Elija Rattay, Jamie Tinajero, Henry Hansen, and Jaxson Rattay perform The Bunny Song
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