No one appreciates when their hard work goes unnoticed without receiving their credit. Many SCHS students involved in activities on campus feel they often do not receive that credit they deserve.
After months of preparation and guiding student choreographers, directors and managers, theater teacher Angelo Reyes excitedly greets students and families at the Fall Play.
“I consider myself more of the producer,” Reyes said. “Making sure we stay on budget, making sure the set is built. If I could hire a choreographer for the musical, then we’ll do that.”
Although the tech crew starts work on the production two weeks after the actors, they often receive complimentary feedback from those working alongside them.
Junior Kaitlyn Exley described their experience of being behind stage with a supportive crew.
“I think that this year especially we (the tech crew) have gotten a lot of credit because our stage manager is really kind to us, and she makes sure we know what we’re doing. She congratulates us all the time,” Exley said.
Not only does Exley receive support from their stage manager but encouragement from Reyes as well. Despite being backstage, little notes in the director’s notes makes Exley and the rest of the tech crew feel seen.
“When we do really well sometimes… the theater teacher will tell us in the director’s notes, ‘Good job with moving these props.’ ‘Good job with making the lights go on,’” Exley said. “I feel a lot more appreciated as tech because sometimes a lot of people who generally just do the show, they might not appreciate tech, but I feel a lot of people that actually work in the production do appreciate tech as a whole.”
Senior Melyssa Cabrera, one of the RAZA Latina club presidents, advises students to address the issue of not being recognized for their work.
“I feel that they (someone struggling with gaining credit) should speak out for themselves. If they feel down and not getting the credit, they should reach out, try to stand out in a group. Be that person that volunteers first, ‘Oh, yeah I’ll help with this, don’t worry!’” Cabrera said.
Senior Lorena Ortiz, the technical director of the drama department, mentioned that not many of the students involved in the department receive recognition, whether they are students in the booth, or moving the props around on stage.
“Of course there is a show without tech, but a show isn’t a show without the lighting, the microphones and without all of that, they are just kids standing there,” Ortiz said.
Whether a student is on the stage or behind it, many Bruins believe every student deserves credit for the work they contribute to projects on campus.
“I think that if somebody is putting this enthusiasm in their work, they’re going to get that enthusiasm out of other people and get recognition,” Exley said.