Techie Profile: Rachel Whelan

Senior Rachel Whelan can almost always be found in the theater after school. No, she’s not an actor: she’s a techie. To learn more about her life as a stage technician and her role in The Phantom of the Opera, The Voice sat down to chat with her.

When did you begin doing theater tech?

I began teching freshman year for Into the Woods. Once I got involved, I just couldn’t stop.

For how many shows have you been on the tech crew, and what have some of your roles been?

I have teched for 20 shows to date. I have done everything from run crew to spotlight operation to stage managing.

What is a ‘run crew?’

The run crew consists of the people backstage who move the sets, as well as do rigging and special effects.

What do the other members of the tech crew do specifically?

There are light board operators, soundboard operators, spotlight operators, a costume crew, and a hair and makeup crew.

What is your role in Presentation’s current production, The Phantom of the Opera?

I am the Assistant Stage Manager and I am in charge of special effects. Since day one of auditions, I have been in the theater overseeing the rehearsal process. I collaborate with my fellow stage managers and Mr. Houle on how to pull off all the technical challenges in the show. I usually stay at the theater until about 8 or 9 p.m. every night.

What kind of special effects are in the show?

There is a chandelier crash, a boat on a lake, fog and air cannon effects, a trap door, and many more. The Phantom of the Opera is by far the most challenging show technically that Pres has ever done. In addition to the special effects, there are countless set pieces, costumes and backdrops that all have to change simultaneously. We have never needed a bigger crew for a production here than we need for this show.

What is a typical rehearsal like for you?

I make sure all the actors arrive on time. I also take notes on blocking, choreography, and vocals. I look through the script for props and any special technical effects. I maintain order and keep the rehearsal on schedule.

Do you tech for productions other than the fall musical and spring play?

Yes, I have teched for summer shows and I am also an International Thespian Society (ITS) Officer, therefore I am involved with all ITS productions. In addition, I have been involved with the TADA! productions of Little Shop of Horrors and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Why do you do theater tech?

I tech because I love it. Ever since my first show, I have loved to be a part of the fantastic productions we put on at Pres. As strange as it sounds, I live for the stress and intensity of the rehearsal process because, in the end, it is amazing to see all of your hard work come together into an amazing production.

Why do you do theater tech as opposed to acting on stage?

I used to act, but once I did tech for the first time, I realized how much fun it was being a part of making the show come together. Even though the audience only sees the actors, all the technical aspects of the show are equally important in making it a success.

What do you love most about theater tech?

What I love most is the reaction from the audience after a great show. I really enjoy being able to hear my friends say how great the show was, and I love knowing that I was a part of it.

What is your favorite memory from theater tech?

My favorite memory would be opening night of Always and Forever, Kate. It was an original show and I felt very connected to it because we had so much opportunity to create something new and unique. It was so exciting to see all of our hard work pay off at opening night.

Will you participate in theater tech in college?

Probably. Although I am not pursuing a theater major, I know I will not be able to stay away from the theater. I will participate in as many productions as I can.

What will you miss most about Pres theater tech after you graduate?

I will miss my theater friends the most. The friends I have made are the best kind: they are supportive, funny, unique, thoughtful and are just great people overall. I have enjoyed working with them so much for the past three and a half years. They’re my family.

“Glee” Takes the World By Storm

     During a time when every show on TV seems to focus on drugs, drama, and angst, it’s nice to have a TV show there that makes fun of it all. With the everyday stresses of homework, meetings, and tests, sometimes it’s more than just simply “nice” to get away from everything and take a break—it’s necessary. Thankfully for many students’ sanity, Fox’s new fall musical comedy Glee does just the trick.

     Although the pilot episode of the show was first broadcast in May of 2009, the season did not start airing on Fox until September 9, 2009. It gained a total of 9.5 million viewers for its first showing, a number which hardly decreased with the start of their first season. But with a show so rich in plot, characters, and heartwarming moments, Glee’s large audience is no surprise. Show creator Ryan Murphy stated that he picks all of the show’s songs himself, trying to keep a balance between the number of show tunes and pop songs to appeal to all audiences. His trick seems to be working so far: nine Glee songs are on the top one hundred of the iTunes playlist, including their iconic Journey cover song “Don’t Stop Believing.”

     The plot focuses largely on the trials and tribulations of the members of the Glee club at William McKinley High School in Ohio. Spanish teacher Mr. Schuester organizes his own Glee club in the hopes of restoring it to its former spot of honor. By the time the entire cast is organized together, 12 very diverse members make up the team. These members range from the quarterback of the football team, Finn, to the hated yet adorably ambitious, Rachel, to the head cheerleader of the Cheerios team, Quinn, giving the audience a slightly unrealistic, but nonetheless intriguing group to watch. Sue Sylvester, the highly eccentric and egotistical Cheerio club moderator, adds to the troubles of protagonist Schuester by doing everything in her power to stop the Glee club from functioning properly.

     At times, it appears that everyone and everything is out to get the lovable Mr. Schuester as the majority of his attempts to improve the conditions for the Glee club either go horribly wrong or end up causing someone, somewhere some form of trouble. It is these and other highly improbable situations that the characters tend to get into which have recently made critics unsure about a successful future for the show. But Murphy counters these critiques by reminding audiences that Glee is meant to be a fictional story that takes you out of the brutal realism of everyday life and instead immerses you into a relatively calming world filled with characters that one would actually want to meet in real life.

     Far from remaining stagnant throughout the show, each individual character shows his or her depth in each episode, revealing something new about their personalities. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of Glee is that while each character has the ability to put on a show-stopping number by themselves, they all work together seamlessly instead to create a truly cohesive show. The majority of the show’s female leads are given to Rachel Berry, played by Lea Michele, as she has one of the leading roles in the show, and true to her character, Rachel truly owns up to the challenge by appearing to be an obnoxious overachiever. Despite her status as a somewhat nerdy singer, though, Rachel does show that she has feelings outside of the realm of theater and musicals. In reality, some of the relationships between characters on the show stem from purely platonic backgrounds, while others stem from quite the opposite, creating a few disputes and several broken hearts for many of the show’s main characters.

     Without a doubt, Glee is of the most highly watched and loved shows this season, and with good reason also. If you haven’t already become a Gleek, it’s time to pull up a chair and start watching every Wednesday at 9 p.m. And that’s how Tanya sees it.

Pres Jazzes up October Concert

     Presentation’s Jazz Band and Choir held their debut concert “Get Jazzed!” on Friday, Oct. 16 in the Valenzuela Theatre. Directory Jerry Lovejoy said that he was especially happy with the choir’s newest members. “I think the freshmen make an incredible contribution to the Choir,” he said. “It’s refreshing to work with such a close-knit group.”

     He was similarly complimentary toward the band: “Since becoming a class at Pres, the Jazz Band has been developing skills so rapidly. We can tackle tougher charts and perform at a much higher level than before.”

       The small but skilled band began their set with “We Will Rock You,” composed by Brian May and originally performed by the rock band Queen. The band also performed a rendition of Miles Davis’s “Milestones” and finished their first set with Jeff Darrohn’s “Gospel Blues.”

     “The Jazz Band has really progressed since last year. We’re even more dedicated than before,” said senior Nicole Rodrigues. “This year, because we had all kinds of experience, we’re doing really well.”

       “I really enjoy being in band because we have so much fun with each other,” added Angel Santos, sophomore.

        The choir was next to take the stage. As always, they treated the audience to a strong and melodious performance.  They began their set with Snyder’s “Nella Fantasia,” which is written entirely in Italian. Tiffany Merritt, senior, started the song off with a lovely solo.

       Shruti Swaminathan, freshman, said, “It’s so much fun. We’re just like a gigantic family.” Many of the girls seem to be in agreement. “We can be really loud and obnoxious, but it’s okay to be like that here,” said Victoria Schmitt, senior.

      The Choir’s second song was Funk’s “Yonder Come Day,” Danielle Marquez, sophomore, said, “There’s a little bit we need to work on, but I think we’re doing well, and I really enjoy being in the group.” To wrap up their first set, the choir sang a beautiful, albeit wordless, version of Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy” from the ballet The Nutcracker.

        The band then retook the stage for their final song, “You Really Got Me,” the 1960s hit composed by Ray Davies. They were then joined on the stage by the choir, whose final song, John Leavitt’s Festival Sanctus, closed the night with a bang.

        Overall, it seems as if the Presentation Music Department is off to a good start this year. The donations collected at the concert and future shows and fundraisers will help pay for the groups’ trip to New Orleans this April. You can see the group next on December 19 at 7 p.m. for their Christmas performance in the San Jose Basilica.

      When asked what he hopes the two groups will accomplish this year, Mr. Lovejoy said, “I’d like to see them each become the very best performing group they can be. Not only in performance and rehearsal, but also in relationships. We perform better when we relate to one another at a deeper level.”

      For any questions, comments you can contact Mr. Lovejoy at http://www.pres-net.com/academics/art/lovejoy/lovejoy.html

ITS For Change: Habitat for Humanity

Problem: Nearly 3 million people in the United States alone every night do not have a home. The average age for those that are homeless in the United States is only nine years. 1.3 billion people worldwide live on less than $1.00 every day with no access to clean water, sanitation, or electricity.  A solution: Habitat for Humanity.

On Oct. 1, Presentation’s Community Involvement Club, Amnesty International, Peer Ministry, and the International Thespian Society (ITS) put together a mind-blowing event that will not be forgotten. This year, the annual ITS concert focused on the idea of shelter and gave special focus to Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit housing organization that concentrates on providing affordable housing for deserving impoverished families. Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 and has since grown to have operational locations in all 50 states of the United States and in 90 countries worldwide. With the help of incredibly selfless volunteers, over 300,000 houses worldwide have been built and this number increases every day. Their great cause makes it obvious why Habitat for Humanity was this year’s ITS pick for the concert.

Organizers took turns telling audience members the importance of affordable housing. The night started off with a solemn prayer read by Peer Ministry students, explaining that help is always there for those who need it. Amnesty International representatives spoke about the impact that homelessness has worldwide and explained the various causes of it in other countries. Their words further established the idea that no matter what the cause, homelessness is something that all of humanity can commiserate with. CI representatives explained through a beautiful presentation that when volunteers come together to build houses for families, the house becomes more than just a building; it becomes a shelter and home for people in need, which is one of the most important aspects of community work that Habitat for Humanity tries to emphasize.

The concert itself was packed with talented dancers, singers, actors and other performers, all of whom truly communicated to the audience their dedication to the stage and to providing inexpensive shelter for those in need. Jazz choir sang a beautiful Italian song from “The Mission” and the dance team performed with exceptional talent when dancing to Greg Laswell’s “Off I Go,” an emotional song that depicts the feeling of hopelessness experienced by several impoverished people across the globe. Other talented singers from both Presentation and Bellarmine sang mesmerizing songs that truly tied the event together, with voices filled with genuine emotion and dedication.

An obvious amount of effort went into producing this stunning event, with some students going above and beyond what was required for this event. Sophomore Emily Griffith wrote and composed her own song titled “Alone,” a moving song that touched the audience through both the wonderful music and the accompanying vocals provided by the composer herself and by sophomores Mandy Heiser, Morgan Locke, and Demi Pace. Senior Jennifer Greenfield also displayed an exceptional amount of commitment to the event both by creating her own arrangement to the song “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue and making a presentation to accompany it with statistics describing the hopelessness of being homeless. Other performers in the concert also showed amazing talent in both singing and acting.

This year’s ITS Concert for Shelter was a truly beautiful event that had talent and dedication bursting out of the seams. The concert truly showed the ever-present hope and determination that is found in each and every person at Presentation. It was an inspirational event that will motivate students to actively participate in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and other related organizations. So now, let’s fix this problem, because with the help of everyone on campus, Presentation High School is the new solution to homelessness.