Flashy costumes, colorful lighting, and awesome sound effects are all the audience sees during a show, but only a few are aware what goes on backstage.  Rarely does anyone get a glimpse of someone in black fixing curtains, handing props, or cueing signals.

From March 27 to April 4th, Lincoln’s theater program put on Spamalot in the Black Box Theater. Everyone who went told Lion Tales that they had a great time.

Here’s a rundown of the musical: “Spamalot” tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. However, a bit different from the true story, this hilarious musical features such oddities as a line of beautiful dancing girls, a flatulent Frenchmen and killer rabbits. Outside there is plague with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine. Throughout the show Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest (Stageagent.com).

Lincoln Teacher Nano Luz said, “I have never cried during a musical- meaning it was so funny that I died from humor and started crying, it was definitely and unforgettable show.” Junior, Caitlyn Bardin added that “the show was so good that I had to go watch it twice, the acting was definitely amazing and it is my favorite high school production yet.”

When Lion Tales went to the Friday performance it did not disappoint. The actors  held my attention and the plot was humorous overall. The orchestra, or pit, did a wonderful job and the singing was also nice. My favorite part was the dancing; the choreography was different and unique from other shows put on this year.

However, we must not forget the numerous hours put in to put this wonderful show together. Lion Tales got to go backstage and live the experience.

First, actors and technicians come in one by one. Actors go to their dressing rooms, pulling out their make up boxes, and slip on their first pair of costumes. Technicians, during this time, are running around to set props, set costumes for quick changes, make sure the sound settings work, and give microphones to actors.

Actors and technicians then run numbers that they feel they need work on or ones that the directors believe must be practiced.

Slowly, the pit begins to come in; in case you did not know, there is an orchestra pit behind the black curtains that plays all the musical numbers.

Once the lobby opens, audience members begin to enter and ushers guide them to their seats. A concession is also open which is set up by actors’ parents.

Once the show begins, the audience laughs, but, backstage, many different things happen. There is a deck crew that pushes on or pulls out set material. The costume crew is always running around for different quick changes. A quick change is when an actor has to change their costume in a minute or less time. The props group also makes sure that each actor has their props on time.

As intermission approaches, there is a great sense of relief backstage – for some. Many actors, pit members, and technicians have the chance to drink water, get a break, and retrieve air.  Others, however, have to change or set up for the second half of the show. Sometimes you can even see some actors furiously doing homework.

The second half ends with bows and then actors and pit members change to meet audience members outside. Technicians in the mean time clean up to go home: turning off the lights, locking the doors, and storing everything away.

We would assume that the day ends here for all of the participants in the show, but it doesn’t. They all have to go home and complete homework or study for upcoming tests and then get to rest for the next show.

Lion Tales got a chance to talk to these members and get insight for the school paper. Costume crew Maria De La Cruz and Samra Geberstadken said “though we had to work a lot to put on a successful show, it was entirely worth it.” They continued, “our favorite part was quick changes; although they’re nerve wrecking, we get a rush and when the actor goes on stage, the sense of accomplishment we feel is the best thing ever.”

Deck crew worker Pedro Escobar said, “I did do a lot during the show moving things around at the right time but for me the more fun part was making the set; we had to stay a lot but the numerous great comments we heard like “hey that was a cool set” made it totally worth it.”

Overall the 2013-14 performing arts shows were very successful. Spamalot got the most compliments and, as you read, there was a lot of work put in it – like any other show.

Be sure to check back soon to learn more about the summer show!