How long have you worked at McHale?
Senior Annika LaOrange: I joined freshman year, so I’ve been in it for four years.
Senior Aiden Snoeberger: I have worked at McHale for about six years now.
Senior Valeria Cortes: I have worked at McHale for four years now.
Senior Michael Popson: I joined my junior year.
What got you to join?
LaOrange: In all honesty, I joined because I had an extremely short-lived crush on someone in it and technical theater turned out to mean a lot more to me than that.
Snoeberger: I can’t really remember what caused me to join, it just looked really fun.
Cortes: I started tech for the junior high shows and found myself enjoying it. I wanted to continue in high school, but didn’t know how to. Aiden Snoeberger recommended the McHale Tech Crew, and I’ve loved it since then.
Popson: I started reaching out and wanted to do more stuff. A lot of people I knew were on the tech crew and recommended it.
What is your position on the McHale staff?
LaOrange: While I’m both a Sound and Video Crewhead, I find it much more engaging to work sound, and I enjoy it a lot more
Snoeberger: My title on the McHale staff is Master Electrician.
Cortes: I am currently the Master Carpenter.
Popson: Since I joined later than most, I never really got to focus on a specific job. I do a little bit of everything, but mainly do set construction. I also got to be ASM, the assistant stage manager, for Matilda and The Play That Goes Wrong.
What is your favorite show that you have worked?
LaOrange: My favorite show to work was probably Mamma Mia! just because I love ABBA so much and never got sick of the music and the talented singers we had.
Snoeberger: I think my favorite show that I have worked is SpongeBob the Musical, it was really fun and I could be really creative with it.
Cortes: My favorite show I have worked on is definitely SpongeBob The Musical. So much went into it, and I got to work with so many great people.
Popson: My favorite show by far was The SpongeBob Musical. It was my first big show at McHale and it was just a good group of people, acting and tech-wise.
What will be the thing you’ll miss the most after you graduate?
LaOrange: I’m definitely going to miss the tight-knit community on the McHale staff and the great leaders that both fostered that environment.
Snoeberger: The thing I’ll miss most is the bond we all have at McHale, we’ve all grown really close and become good friends over the years.
Cortes: I will miss being in the shop and working with Jeff on sets. I have grown and learned so much by just being a part of the crew. The connections I created are absolutely amazing, and I’m grateful for the opportunities they have given me.
Popson: The people and the constant learning. McHale is an amazing performing arts center, and there is so much that goes into everything. I’ve learned so much and just wish I had joined sooner.
