Xavier’s performers execute shows wonderfully, leaving the audience in awe. In order to accomplish this, however, a team of super students work hard behind the curtains to ensure the show runs smoothly.
At Xavier, students participate in various theater activities that go beyond acting. Departments including costumes, props and lighting are offered to students who want to express creativity without being center stage.
Alice Patton ‘26, deck manager for “Clue,” said, “ There’s so much that goes into a play besides just the acting.” These departments are vital to ensure the production runs well and looks astonishing from the audience’s perspective.
Patton also stressed that every department is so important and each person works with others to make the show detailed.
Additionally, students have the chance to use tools and objects provided by Xavier’s workshop. These skills become important when building the set for Xavier’s productions.
Opportunities to work with sewing machines and materials are provided to those in the costumes department. Piper Mercer ‘27, head of the costumes department, says that the machines taught her “how to do something more efficient.”
Engaging in Xavier’s theater department provides students with the opportunity to “get a new set of skills,” Mercer added.
Additionally, backstage jobs allow for students to continue to participate in theater, even if they are not acting. This also allows a great opportunity to bond with students of the same interests. “This community is really amazing and it makes me feel like I am a part of something important,” Quinn Patberg ‘28 said. Patberg enjoys her time being head of props for stage right.
Backstage jobs are a great way to participate in a school activity without being front and center. Patton states that participating in theater beyond acting “looks good on job applications.” Similarly, Patberg says it is great for resumes for those who don’t get casted.
Patberg said that theater is a great way to be active in the school community without having to participate in a sport. Theater can provide similar benefits that sports do, such as resume benefits and teamwork skills.
Backstage jobs welcome a new perspective of theater. Mercer said that being head of costumes “really shows you how much work is being put into it.”
Furthermore, theater helps one understand how to address issues in a professional environment. Patton states that being backstage taught her the skill of speaking to those in higher positions and how to phrase certain issues.
Participating in theater allows students to work in a creative atmosphere.“Theater is great for those with stage fright, to be creative and interactive in theater,” Patberg said.
Mercer explains the costume department’s process when it comes to costume creation. Each detail is added to “show the characters,” Mercer said, and add pizzazz to costumes.
Skills learned from working backstage jobs can be used outside of theater. “You can take your knowledge of building things and make anything,” said Patton, who builds her own bunny cages and guitars using what she learned in theater.
For Patberg, she doesn’t just enjoy the excitement of backstage duties, but she treasures the cast bonding and humorous people she meets along the way.
