As the performers shuffle onto the stage for their competition debut and the curtains are prepared to rise, the pit crew moves in shadows and silence to create a show-worthy atmosphere. Signals begin sounding across the wings, cueing props to be rolled onto stage, spotlights to be shifted, and backdrops to be replaced. Then they quickly get ready for their next job.
Nine students work behind the scenes of Noblesville High School’s show choirs to set up and tear down sets, along with making transitions on stage seamless by moving posters or adjusting lighting. Show choir director John Neubauer says he relies on the pit crew to come prepared and know all of their cues to help the performers on stage execute their set.
“The pit crew normally is not seen, so they seem anonymous, but their contributions are definitely noticed,” Neubauer said.
Senior Caedmon Foster has taken on a leadership role within the pit crew this year, where he directs members behind the stage. He took charge of recruiting members who display traits that he believes would help the pit crew succeed.
“I found people who I knew were hard workers and had been involved with performing arts, whether that’s other stage crews or performing themselves,” Foster said.
Working on the pit crew allows members to participate in the show choir without the stage presence aspect. Senior Molly Hopkins says she enjoys this aspect of her involvement.
“It’s a good way to be there if you didn’t want to be in the show choir to still be there and help,” Hopkins said.
Some members of the pit crew have a designated role for each show, such as removing a large banner from the stage. Foster’s position as crew leader requires him to be more flexible and make sure everything goes smoothly.
“It’s floating behind and helping out where it’s needed,” Foster said. “I’m really making sure that everyone is doing their job and what they’re supposed to do.”
Junior Nolan Scholl is a member of the Singers show choir at NHS. He says the additional support from pit crew means the show choir does not have to worry about making sure the stage is ready.
“They set up our stage completely and get us up and running,” Scholl said. “During the show making sure we get on stage and off stage in time to not get penalties.
Along with setting up the stage, the pit crew’s performance is one of the elements of the choir’s final score. A timer starts as soon as the first person crosses the line onto the stage; if their crew spends too much time setting up, the entire group is penalized.
“If you go over your time slot, they dock points from the choir,” Hopkins said. “So if the pit crew performs well, then it helps the actual choir perform well.”
The members of each choir perform with movements that line up with precise moments in the songs, whether it is lyrics or rhythm. Due to timing purposes, the pit crew must carefully time certain effects.
“It is important that the cues occur at the exact moment they are supposed to happen,” Nebauer said.
Due to the large productions the show choirs put on, the singers say it is important to them to have additional support. Scholl appreciates the work that is required backstage to effectively perform a set.
“We wouldn’t be able to do the show without them,” Scholl said.
