“The Unsinkable Molly Brown” is set for a successful opening night performance, tonight, Thursday, Nov. 14, thanks in part to the talent and tireless efforts of the dedicated stage crew.

This show is about the life of titular character, Margaret “Molly” Brown, who survived the sinking of the Titanic. To bring the magic of the set to life, stage crew members created Titanic-like sets and props, making flats to be used as walls, refurbishing old furniture including tables and chairs and making other items from scratch.

“The set of a show provides a visual backdrop that immerses the audience in the world of the story, enhancing the mood, tone and atmosphere,” stage manager Carolyn Marconi said. “It also helps define the characters’ environment and support the narrative and emotional arc of the plot.”

Like the cast, crew members stayed after school until 7:00 p.m. or even later during dress rehearsals. Practice days started out as Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays but became more frequent as opening day approached, with crew members working overtime to ensure that all tasks would be completed in time. This included working on scene transitions, adding lighting and sound to scenes, painting the set, finding costumes and more.

“In order to keep track of all the moving parts, I worked with the director to organize what needed to move and when it would need to happen,” Marconi said, “This later became the transition log that we use today.”

During rehearsals, maintaining order was a necessary protocol for the stage crew. Scripts were annotated with transition sequences and other directives and kept backstage for easy access to ensure there was no confusion. Tape was placed on the stage, marking where each set piece was to be placed during a transition. This allowed for new scenes to be quickly and properly set up.

The backstage crew deserves kudos for creating the precise process needed to stage a flawless performance. As the curtain was set to rise, the crew had apparently succeeded, as everybody seemed to know their part and was ready to put on a meaningful show.

“I’m proud of how everyone worked so hard and put in so much effort to make the play awesome,” crew member Ellie Briones said. “I want people to see it because it’s a special experience that brings a really cool story to life.”

Editor’s Note: “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” premieres tonight, Thursday, Nov. 14, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 16, in the high school auditorium. For tickets, go to https://rhs.booktix.com.