There is more than what meets the eye when watching a play. CHS students Azura Dugger and Thomas Tran are a prime example of this. Both Asura and Thomas are in a booth, with Azura serving as the sound director and Thomas as the lighting director.
Azura: the sound director
Azura’s favorite thing about being a sound director is learning about the tech. Azura said, “We got a new soundboard this year, and I am having a lot of fun balancing the mics. I also love getting to know everyone briefly during the ‘mic up’ process.” Being a sound director is a big responsibility. When Azura was asked if she gets nervous or excited during the middle of a play, she had this to say, “I definitely get nervous, but I think there is a rhythm you get into after a few runs, and I live for that ‘flow state’ feeling.”
Being a sound director takes a lot of focus over a long period of time. To Azura, “Being a sound director is a lot. It requires a lot of attention through the duration of the show. It also takes attention to detail. Over the past few years, my ears have gotten more trained to adjust to the mics of each person, but I still have a lot to learn!”
A cue is a signal to an actor or other performer to enter or to begin their speech or their performance. Azura said, “Keeping up with the cues is stressful! This play is honestly the most active I’ve been in any production. I don’t really get a break during intermission. It takes a lot of time to figure out timing with people speaking off-stage and sound effects. Honestly, I still struggle a bit when the show comes around, but I have Mr. Ream to help if I need it!”
When Azura was asked about how she prepares for the plays, she said, “Preparing for the plays only takes a couple of weeks for the crew. ‘Tech week’ is when we finally get to start doing our parts and practicing cues for the show. Honestly, it takes practice and repetition like the actors. Tech week is a super fun part of it, though, getting to know new members and having that mutual struggle is super valuable if you are going to work together well.” As you can tell, Azura is extremely dedicated to this craft and is passionate about making the plays at CHS successful.
Thomas: The lights director
Thomas’s favorite thing about being a lights director is the value of his job. “Without me, there is no play, so I control the lights.”
When Thomas was asked if he gets nervous or excited in the middle of the play, he said, “I get nervous because I could miss my cue, but I am also excited because it’s cool to be a lights director.”
Being a lights director is a big responsibility. When Thomas was asked what it’s like being a lights director, he said, “It’s not hard, but it’s also not easy.”
Thomas does not take preparation for the plays lightly; when he was asked about what he does to prepare for the plays, he said, “Oh, I eat three bags of Hot Cheetos, three milkshakes, and then I turn on the lights and wait for my ques.”
When you go to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, think of these passionate CHS drama students who dedicate their time to bettering the play.
