Ride the Cyclone
From October 2024 to January 2025, I served as Assitant Stage Manager, and later Stage Manager, of VOX Musical Theatre's production of Ride the Cyclone.
Duration
4 months
Role
Stage Manager
Team Size
70+ students
Overview
VOX Musical Theatre is the student-run musical theatre organization at WPI. As stage manager, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the production, including scheduling rehearsals, coordinating communication between the director and the cast/crew, and ensuring that all technical elements ran smoothly during performances.
Due to unforseen circumstances, I had to undertake the role of stage manager 4 days before tech week. This show was the largest production I had ever been a part of, and I had to pivot quickly and learn even quicker. The major accompishment of this show for me was successfully calling every cue every night of the production. Previously I had never called a show with more than 15 cues at my high school, often while I was operating a sound or lighting board. This production had over 400 cues, sometimes as many at 15 per page. I had to adapt extremely quickly, and pick up a skill I really had not developed before. By Dress 2, I was calling near-perfect shows. This show was a passion project for many (including me), and being thrown into this role during my first production with VOX was intimidating, but I am proud of what I accomplished and the work I put in to make sure the show went on.
Theatrical Components
How did you build it? What were the key technical decisions?
- Rehearsal Process: During the rehearsal process, I was primarily responsible for creating rehearsal reports, blocking notes, and scheduling. I would help schedule and coordinate rehearsal locations, check actor/director availability, and keep track of what has been rehearsed and what needs more work.
- Pre-Tech Period: During this period, production members came back to WPI early during the final week of winter break. Before I was offically named Stage Manager I was in the rehearsal room, coordinating blocking notes and rehearsal reports which I would distribute to the crew. I would act as a point-person for designers and technicians to get their questions answered, and make sure they have all of the information they need. After confirmation that I would be taking over the duties of the stage manager, I immediately began working with the lighting designer, sound designer, and sound engineer for paper tech. I also made sure that technicians had what they needed going into tech week, and filled in wherever I was needed.
- Tech Week & Performance: The final stretch of the production was by far the most stressful, but most rewarding part of this experience. Running my first tech week with VOX Musical Theatre was challenging, but successful. I kept the cast and crew on schedule, making sure everything got done, and also ensuring all technical departments were getting what they needed. Calling the show was a significant challenge, and the first couple times I did it, it was a disaster. By Dress 2 I was calling it with near-perfect accuracy, in no small part due to the extensive conversations about timing and execution with the lighting designer, and the board-op letting me practice to Spotify tracks before each show. By the end of the production, I was extremely proud of the work myself and everyone else put into this production.
Authors Note
At the time, this was the largest scale production I had ever been a part of. My high school's theatre program was small, and did not have the technology that we have here. I had stage managed multiple shows at my high school, and was the go-to person for tech-related issues, but I had never been responsible for managing a production of this scale before.
It was a huge learning experience for me, and I am proud of how I handled the situation. I had to learn how to call a show with 400+ cues in 4 days, and I had to learn how to manage a large team of people in a high-pressure situation. It was a culmination of my ability and my previous experience in stage management, and I am grateful for the experience.
This production remains one of my proudest theatrical accompishments, and is my favorite show that I have ever worked on.
Additional Photos
These are some more of my favorite photos from the production, showcasing elements such as lighting, costume design, hair and makeup design and artistry, and set design.
