HHS Technical Theatre Students Attend Workshop for Finding Neverland

Harrison High School technical theatre students had the unique opportunity to learn the complexities of running a large scale musical production from the current stage manager of the successful Broadway production Finding Neverland.

Through the company Stage Door Productions, Stephanie Goldman, who works as the HHS and LMK Technical Director on the District’s productions, and twenty-one HHS students participated in a workshop and question and answer session with Matthew Stern at the Manhattan Theatre Club. The students learned the daily roles and responsibilities in a show, how to be a leader, and the qualities it takes to translate successfully to the theater. Mr. Stern shared his personal journey to the theater and discussed many of the other shows he worked on such as Wicked, Death of A Salesman, On the Town, Side Show, and The Little Mermaid.

In his discussion, he expressed to the students that the hardest part of the show is working with the actors - running rehearsals, calling cues, and working with understudies. But he reiterated the joy of working in the theater. “If I’m able to affect one person’s life, that’s what makes it worthwhile,” he said. “That’s why we do what we do. We bring magic to people’s lives.”

The students then attended a matinee performance of Finding Neverland and were able to see the show from a totally different perspective. They examined the sound board, where the lights were coming from and going to, the dance captains highlighted the choreography, and the directors noticed acting cues and movements. For many of the students, it was the first time they had attended a live Broadway show.