crew members step into the spotlight in 'harry potter and the cursed child'

By: Vanessa Buechler

While it is usually the cast members of a play, musical, or hollywood production that receive the most recognition for their performance, there is no denying that it is those who work behind the proverbial curtain that quietly shape the viewer’s experience.

And that certainly was the case at this year’s production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Oct. 24-26.
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Led by director and theater teacher Kassidy Sharp, the show brought audiences into a world that took place 19 years after the last book in the Harry Potter series. The play followed Harry’s son, Albus, and Draco’s son, Scorpius, as they attempted to create their own identities.

In a way, Glenelg student cast and crew members forged their own identities, as well, over months of planning and preparation.

“I was really proud of all the performers and how all of their personalities really came out, along with how everyone was super successful on stage,” Sharp said. “All of the crew – from backstage to the lighting and sound, from marketing to the wigs and makeup – were crucial to make this show a huge success and they did an amazing job.” 

Sharp’s congratulatory tenor also extends to stage manager Lily Wilpon. The senior, according to Sharp, “is the glue that holds the entire production together, ensuring that everyone is where they need to be and that everything gets on and off the stage.” 

Wilpon has managed the largely unseen world-behind-the-scenes since her sophomore year. Call it beginners luck or fate, but Wilpon knew she had a knack for stage crew after being part of the fall and spring shows as a freshman.

“We needed someone to take control and it just stuck!” Wilpon said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time as stage manager, and I value the community and support system. It’s a stressful job and time consuming, but always worth it.”

During Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Wilpon directly oversaw about 20 crew members, though the stage manager’s job and knowledge base extends to all facets of the show. While Wilpon reflected on the most challenging part of the position as having to “know all of the answers, but also being someone who doesn’t know all of the answers,” she said she also relishes gaining the trust of her crew members.

“Being the stage manager has allowed me to be a leader and help my colleagues execute,” Wilpon said. “It certainly helps that I get to work alongside those who are committed to creating a worthwhile experience for ourselves and for the audience. The show is never about me or any one individual. We work together to create something memorable and the feeling of seeing our collective hard work pay off cannot be replicated.”

For Wilpon and other crew members, that payoff comes in the form of a simple, yet powerful, compliment from the audience.

“When we hear ‘That was an amazing show!’ we know we’ve done our job,” Wilpon said. “While we aren’t visibly seen on stage, we appreciate there is recognition that our efforts and dedication don’t go unnoticed.” 

Especially when that recognition is internal. 

Senior Kennedy Richman, who played Hermione Granger in the October performance (but who has also been part of theater productions since her freshman year) is well aware of the value of crew members’ various roles.

“Harry Potter was a very tech heavy show, and without the crew and all their work designing and working with the sets, on and off stage, we would not have been able to do all the things we did,” Richman said. “Some of my best friends are on the crew, and I love seeing them in their element. It’s so fun to just watch them shine and do what they do best, and I can’t thank them enough for being who they are. They make the show what it is, and none of it happens without them.” 

Senior crew members will have one final opportunity to help create “an amazing show” and leave their mark during the 2025 spring musical, Cinderella, on March 6-9. 

If all goes as planned, Wilpon quips it might be due to a little Disney magic; in reality, she and the crew know it’s the work performed behind the curtain that’s truly magical.

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