Backstage Beats: The Chaotic Schedule of a High School Musical Student

A musical is nothing without its cast, ensemble, crew and directors. With all these students working side by side, beautiful art is created. 

From January to March, Monday through Friday, 2:45- 5:30 p.m.  theater students optimistically prepare for the production of the spring musical “The Addams Family.” Students are usually located in the choir room or Performing Arts Center (PAC) practicing to perform their best.  

Weekly schedules can be chaotic especially for main roles but the actors find ways to make it work. Senior Jeremiah Robinson, playing the lead role of Mal Beineke, has a long day starting with school, then musical rehearsal before his dance practice. With his activities it is definitely straining but he has it under control.

“I feel like I have a steady set foundation, I’m consistent and efficient enough to do anything” Robinson said.

Even though the week presents challenges for a lead role, it can also be overwhelming for those in the ensemble. Sophomore Isabelle Neely plays the courtesan ancestor. Her schedule is packed to the brim with extracurriculars and schoolwork. 

“Mondays for me are school, then I have theater rehearsal, then I go to dance usually from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. I get home at like 9 and I do all my [school] work. That’s what my Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays look like,” Neely said. “Tuesdays and Thursdays it’s school, theater but instead it’s from the top from 6 to 8:30, same times different activities.”

A schedule like Neely’s is stressful. With each passing week and the mounting activities, there’s less and less time available for personal matters. This can be a hard task however Neely keeps a keen eye on her time to stay in check.

“[It’s] definitely tested my time management. I think overall I’ve handled it pretty well and I’ve got decent amounts of sleep, but there [have] definitely been times where I have cranked to like 2 AM,” Neely said. 

Isabelle Neely’s schedule for the first month of 2024. Her schedule was jam-packed, with not one day being left blank. Photo courtesy to Isabelle Neely.

Making time for everything is definitely hard but can come with great fun. For sophomore Jill Lopez, participating in theater and being a part of the crew is the highlight of her week. The theater is less a burden for Lopez and instead a stepping stone as it provides her with challenges that she accomplishes with a smile. When given the right motivation Lopez pushes through the musical season. 

“This year I’m doing stairs on stage so I’m deck crew, [and] I felt really good because I love doing crew, so I’m happy with anything,” Lopez said. 

Even if not in the light of the stage, the work behind never goes unnoticed. Junior Kennedi Beauchamp, a director, spends her life dedicated to helping the cast, crew and other directors during the rough season. 

“A normal week most of the year for me is being up [at] 5:30 in the morning, having to get ready [and] come to school. Then I won’t be home till 6, then if all [goes] well, I’ll take an hour to decompress then I’ll do homework till around 11 and go to bed and repeat,” Beauchamp said.

Beauchamp week seems long but she finds comfort in the repetition of everything, pushing through difficult classes and achieving good grades.

“I think I’m insane for doing it with the amount of AP classes I have, It’s about sacrifice too. I think that I sacrifice a lot of things that I want to do, pushing them and finding other places for me to do them,” Beauchamp said. “I also sacrifice perfect grade point scores in every class because of how much I’m doing”.

The musical may come with laughter, loyalty and devotion as the final curtain falls once more, we see the dedication of the cast, crew, and directors. Their commitment and passion brought unforgettable moments. Through early mornings, late nights and countless rehearsals, they create art for all to see. Let us clap to not just the performance, but the spirit and work that make our musical group truly amazing.