Monday-Friday 3:45 pm - 6:00pm
Saturdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
​
WHAT IS STAGE CREW
STAGE CREW IS THE BACKBONE OF EVERY PLAY, MUSICAL, AND DANCE PRODUCTION AT NEW TRIER, CREW MEMBERS BUILD SETS, PAINT SCENERY, OPERATE THE SOUND AND LIGHTS FOR ALL PERFORMANCES, AND HAVE A GREAT TIME. NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. THIS IS A TERRIFIC HANDS-ON ACTIVITY FOR ANYONE FROM A MASTER BUILDER TO SOMEONE WHO BARELY KNOWS HOW TO TURN ON A LIGHT SWITCH.
WHAT IS A CREW SESSION?
Crew sessions include the building of the scenery, loading in the set, technical and dress rehearsals and striking the set and are scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:45 - 6:00 PM. and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Technical and dress rehearsals end by 8:00 p.m. All CAP experiences average 30 sessions and include required build sessions in addition to an entire load-in and strike period for one production. In order to be assigned to a CAP experience, students must download an information packet and calendar (coming soon!), as well as complete the sign-ups linked below. Please bring the completed stage crew packet to the Crew Kick-Off meeting.
WHAT IS THE CREW APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM?
All student performers must successfully participate in a Crew Apprentice Program (CAP) production either before or within one calendar year after being cast in a production for the first time. Apprentice opportunities are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
​
PLEASE NOTE THAT THEATRE 1 WILL HAVE A TECH THEATRE ELEMENT THAT WILL FULFILL THE CAP REQUIREMENT. IF YOU ARE A FRESHMAN IN THEATRE 1 YOU WILL NOT NEED TO COMPLETE YOUR CAP.
All CAP experiences average 30 sessions and include required build sessions (16) in addition to ALL load-in sessions (10) and ALL strike sessions (4) for one production. If a student does not complete a CAP within the appropriate time frame, they are not eligible to audition for subsequent productions. All students are welcome to be part of multiple stage crews but do not need to participate in the CAP more than once in their four years at New Trier.
WHAT IS A CREW NUMBER & CREW EXPERIENCE (CXP)?
CREW NUMBER
After you have worked on three productions you get a crew number. It is a number that is yours FOREVER. When you get your Crew Number, say 43, you will be the only person on the crew whoever gets that number. It is the first benchmark in Crew Experience points.
.jpg)
WHAT IS CREW EXPERIENCE (CXP)?
Being trained on different tools and serving as a Crew Leadership Position earn CXP. Every tool you are trained on earns CXP. When you serve as a charge painter, lighting designer, etc that counts as CXP as well. If you are a lighting designer for more than 1 show it only counts as one CXP. These are all ways of learning more about the craft of tech theater.
CXP BENCHMARKS
There are 4 benchmarks crew members can achieve. Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Expert
.jpg)
.jpg)
Earned 7 CXP total and worked on 5 shows total (Pin with crew #)
Earned 12 CXP total and worked on 8 shows total (Pin & Hard hat)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Earned 15 CXP total and worked on 10 shows total. (Pin & T-shirt)
Earned 20 CXP total and worked on 13 or more shows total (Pin & zip hoodie)
MEET THE TECHNICAL DIRECTORS
DAVE FERGUSON
Auditorium Manager / Technical Director
Dave Ferguson has been a Technical Director/Designer for New Trier High School since 2006, and Auditorium Manager since 2017. Dave has been making plays since middle school and has also studied at Sam Houston State University, Texas and the University of South Carolina. Dave has designed from Amsterdam to New York to London, but is happiest working with the fabulous stage crew at New Trier High School.
DENISE KARCZEWSKI
Technical Theater Director / Designer
Denise has been one of the technical director / designers here at New Trier since 2008. Her love of theatre and stage crew started in elementary school. She got her BA in Technical Theatre/ Directing and English Literature with a minor in studio arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She works as a professional lighting designer in the Chicago area.
ANDERS JACOBSON
Technical Theater Director / Designer
Anders has been a Technical Director/Designer here at New Trier High School since 2017. He an Evanston native who started on his high school's stage crew his freshman year and has never stopped. He earned his BFA in Scenic Design from SUNY Purchase College. He has been designing sets with his wife around the Chicago area since 2008. He earned his Masters in Performing Arts Administration from Roosevelt University.