Set building, set painting, costume design, prop construction, music rehearsals. All of these things are happening behind the scenes of “42nd Street” to prepare for the performance, plus more. 

The spring musical will premiere in April. Leading up to the show, drama club members and directors prepare for the performance. Michele Dugan, assistant director, choreographed the dance numbers for this musical. To prepare students, Dugan held tap lessons. 

“For this show, we started tap lessons on Saturdays last year because we did a tap number in ‘Newsies’. The kids really enjoyed themselves, and it was fun. They did so well that when we were deciding on this year’s show, we suggested we do a tap show,” Dugan said. 

Dugan feels rehearsals are important for the musical to succeed. During rehearsals, she teaches choreography. When she isn’t teaching, she is hunting through the prop room to find old props she finds interesting, such as telephones, suitcases and even a pile of bones. 

“Rehearsals can be like a three-ring circus. There are so many things going on at one time. We have set building, costume making and music rehearsals happening. Once we get to the show, it runs very smoothly,” Dugan said. 

Along with Dugan and head director, David Borst has been assisting as technical director for five years.

“As technical director, I am in charge of getting the set built. I don’t come up with the overall design of the set, but I do have to figure out how to get things built. It is also my job to make sure everything gets built safely and everything works right. That is my area of responsibility,” Borst said. 

Even though Borst is usually not directly involved with rehearsals when the musical begins, he is there for technical rehearsals to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

“I would say rehearsals are very intense with everything going on, and everyone learning where they have to be and what they have to do. It really takes a team effort from everyone. In some ways, it is like a sports team. Everyone needs to do their part to keep everything running,” Borst said. 

When Borst watches the final product of the musicals, he enjoys seeing all of his work paid off. 

“My favorite part is when you actually see the set with the actors performing, music playing and the audience watching. We aren’t building something just for our own amusement. A lot of people get to see it and enjoy it,” Borst said. 

With each actor having at least six costumes, quick changes will also be vital to rehearse to ensure everyone can change their costumes on time. 

“There are a lot of costume changes in this show. They have to have all of the costumes organized because they have to completely change their outfits in under a minute,” Borst said. 

While the sets are being built and painted, props are being made and costumes are being sewn, the actors rehearse their lines, dance numbers and songs. Sophomore Olivia Behe practices often for the upcoming performance. Behe is in the tap ensemble.