Putting Together the Great Comet

DA’s next big performance is on its way, with multiple departments’ skilled students, artists, and performers all working together to set it up. For the sung-through musical Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812—an adaptation of a section in Tolstoy’s War and Peace—the tech theatre department has been dedicated to transforming a blank-slate venue into a stage showcasing the musical’s distinct visual designs. “I think it [represents the musical well],” says senior Syana Guevara, master carpenter for the musical. “The musical itself is very extravagant, and I feel like the red and gold and lights and staircases shows that.”

Technical Theatre students put the finishing touches on the musical’s set in the Dubow Theatre. | Photo by T.J. Foldy

The show’s announcement, although it wasn’t as recognizable a title as previous years’ Rent or Chicago, was met with curiosity and excitement by the tech theater students. The musical’s technical director, senior student Nick Benwick, states, “Of course, I was excited [about it]! Well, a bit confused, I was like, ‘what is this show and why is the name so long,’ you know Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily…Nonetheless, I was thrilled to see what musical we’re doing.” 

For those who recognized the show, the enthusiasm following its reveal as DA’s next production was even greater. Senior Madison Jones says “I have heard of this musical, and when Mr. Kemper said that the show has switched to Great Comet, I was beyond excited. And I believe this set captures everything the show needs.” 

Technical Theatre students put the finishing touches on the musical’s set in the Dubow Theatre. | Photo by T.J. Foldy

Official work on building the set first began in early October. “We started building the set October 3rd,” Benwick says. “Well really, pieces from every show prior are used, so you could say the beginning of the school year. But we officially jumped into the ‘build’ on October 3rd.” By recycling pieces from previous sets, the designers of the sets are able to save resources and maximize efficiency with both time and money. Even in advance, before the full project of a set’s creation is started, individual pieces may be made with the next show in mind. 

It takes a great degree of dedication to lead a project as large as designing the set for a musical production. “I’m there two class periods on A days and three on B days,” Guevara says. “We’ve been staying after school to work on the set on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the month of October. On a regular day, I spend three to four hours on the set. On days we stay after school, I spend six to seven. A week, I probably spend about 25 hours on the set.” 

Putting on a production requires a

variety of skills from the Technical

Theatre students, including costume design, set design, and lighting

direction. | Photo by T.J. Foldy

Thankfully, so far, any disruptions in the project’s progression have been minimal. “I know how each teacher and each student on my crew works, so I try and adapt early to those situations before anything can go wrong,” says Benwick. “Because if there is one thing I’ve never been, that is behind both academically and in productions; I will work the crew and myself to exhaustion to avoid any major hiccups.” 

The crew behind the set of Great Comet isn’t only the tech theatre majors, though. Performance theatre students can also volunteer to join the work on deck, and if selected, offer help in building the set and work alongside the tech crew. Freshmen performance theatre student Emma Ring says, on building the set, “[It’s] now one of my favorite things to do. To get to understand what the technical side of shows actually goes through, truly opens your eyes as an actor to the fact that you aren’t the only one putting in the hard work…My favorite thing is meeting and getting to work with some of the fabulous people who put in the most work behind the scenes.” 

Assembling the set of any production is very much a team effort, one that takes careful communication and collaboration across every stage, and that thrives with a diverse group of teammates across all grades and skills. Every role is important, and every step of the project has something to enjoy. “I really do love the work me and my peers do in tech, and I love the relationships with all the teachers,” says Benwick. “I think we are probably the closest department in the grand scheme of things…something that I’ll always love is watching my classmates and best friends execute their craft.” 

Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 opens on the Dubow Stage on November 9th and runs until November 12th. 

Tickets are still for sale at On The Stage.

BTS photos from the creation of the set of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. | Photos by T.J. Foldy