Everyone is familiar with the annual LRHS Middle School musical. Middle school students plan and prepare for auditions that are usually held the winter before the show.
This year, there are four total shows – two on March 20 and two on March 21, 2025. And although the shows only take place over a two-day period, there is a lot more that goes on beforehand.
The actors work for months to memorize and practice the songs, choreography, and blocking. Due to the middle school’s size and resources, they don’t have a large technical crew to work behind the scenes like the high school does, meaning they need people to step up.
There is a small crew of middle schoolers that work to perfect the set and props shifts, but they have much less time to prepare than the actors do – and that’s where the high schoolers come in.
A group of 10-12 highschool students volunteer their time and energy to work with the middle schoolers the week of the show to perfect the technical details. Without those who volunteer, the show wouldn’t have lights, sound, or actor mics.
This year, the LRMS musical was only 2 weeks after the high school’s Freaky Friday, meaning it was a hard and sudden shift going from a tech crew of 50 to 10. “There’s a lot less time to prepare for the middle school musical and a much smaller crew,” said Mckenzie Cumming, senior.
Thankfully, the actors and directors are understanding of the trial and errors that occur just before opening night, because without the crew the show wouldn’t be what it is. Not only is the extra help beneficial to the middle schoolers, but “it helps us gain experience and leadership skills,” said Natalie Ibarra-Miranda, sophomore.
The LRHS Middle School musical wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of both the actors and the behind-the-scenes crew. The highschoolers’ hard work is what makes the show come together in the end and helps make the magic happens.
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