Jeremy Barajas

Backstage Rocker

I truly had no expectations when I joined stage design. I wanted to volunteer in some extra activities. I tried football but it was not all me so I tried stage crew. I was here to work and work alone. Before I had help many of times doing security for many of Mr. Copley's productions, and also was a stagehand for battle of the bands. I guess my only expectation was to serve and even still today.

I did not expect to make the set so real. For example the whole frame and shape of the set looked the same as a classic home and even down to the little details of chair railings, the 2nd floor, the textured paint, and windows. I learned construction and stage design, much of it I learned by hands on training. I guess you can say Matt was my teacher for stage design. I was able to learn the basics of making blue prints. With blue prints every little measurement has to be correct and any small miscalculation can throw off the whole set. In construction a lot of my knowledge I learn from Nick whom I found out is just a month older than me. He taught me how to make platform, stairs, the recessed wall in the set and anything else I would ask him ask about. These skills I did not have before.

I think we accomplished a lot, down to the ice cave flying in and out, the mics on each character having no feedback, and all the stage hands were at their positions like sailors on a deck. I would give us a rating of 8 for the experiences that we all had. I think it came out well, maybe even great. Remembering the nights, I can't recall us (the crew) missing any cues beside 1 or 2 (the movie!). I believe that our rating will only get better! I love to build things, I even help build extra rooms in houses and help a little in some roofing projects. Being on the construction team helps me. I like it as a hobby. Being one of stage designers let me have a little taste of it.

I would now like to get to know how the lighting and sound works. Those 2 areas interest me because I had worked in those fields by doing sound for my church (or when I put a thousand volts through my bass amp in a punk rock symphony and wake up all my neighbors!) But this is way different from what I have learned before.

I would have to say the most dedicated student was Reggie. She was on top of every cue. She directed and took control of the actors needs. Whatever they needed she took care of it. If she was not there I believe that the show would not have been as good as it was.