Behind the Curtain of a Christmas Carol By: Eva Long

The school theatre department brought the classic holiday story A Christmas Carol to the stage this season, giving audiences a festive production filled with emotion, humor, and strong performances. The show required weeks of preparation, collaboration, and dedication from student performers and crew members alike, many of whom took on multiple responsibilities to bring production to life.

Student actor Harper Wallace portrayed three different characters throughout the production, including one of the storytellers who guided the audience through the narrative. Preparing these roles requires careful attention to character development and emotional range. Wallace explained that each character demanded a different approach, saying that switching between roles meant having to “redirect my mind to how I need to act.”

Rehearsals focused heavily on understanding character emotions and adjusting performance styles to match each role. According to Wallace, one character required a “brighter and more youthful” personality, while another role involved remaining neutral and focused on storytelling rather than opinion. This contrast challenged performers to remain flexible and attentive during each scene.

From the director’s perspective, the choice to produce A Christmas Carol was intentional. The director shared that the story’s themes of compassion and personal growth made it especially meaningful for both performers and audiences. “At its core, it’s about change and second chances,” the director explained, adding that they hoped the audience would leave reflecting on “how kindness can completely transform someone’s life.”

One of the most memorable moments in the show came during the tragic family scene, which Wallace described as the favorite to perform because it felt “loving and family-like.” The director echoed this sentiment, noting that Scrooge’s transformation near the end of the play carries the strongest emotional impact. “Watching that shift from isolation to generosity is always powerful,” they said.

Behind the scenes, the stage crew played a major role in keeping the production running smoothly. Senior crew member Eva Long explained that precise timing and organization were key, especially during fast-paced set transitions. “No one notices when it goes right,” Long said, “and that’s how you know the crew did their job.”

Scenes involving the spirits required extra coordination between lights, sound, and set changes. Long shared that the crew practiced transitions repeatedly to ensure everything ran seamlessly. “Even during quiet moments, we’re constantly counting cues and preparing for the next move,” she explained.

Despite occasional mishaps backstage, the crew learned how to stay calm and adapt quickly. “Something always goes wrong at least once,” Long admitted, “but we learned how to fix problems without panicking and keep the show moving.” Despite the challenges of memorizing lines for a straight play, Wallace shared that learning new strategies helped improve confidence on stage. This experience marked the first time performing in a non-musical production, which required greater focus on spoken dialogue and timing.

Opening night brought excitement and nerves, especially with family members in the audience. Wallace noted feeling nervous at first, but confidence grew as performances continued. Bringing a classic Christmas story to life was described as an exciting opportunity, especially for performers who enjoy holiday-themed productions.

Overall, A Christmas Carol proved to be more than just a holiday performance. The production strengthened teamwork, built confidence, and created lasting memories for everyone involved. As Long reflected, “Theatre really showed me how every role matters, whether you’re on stage or behind the curtain.”