Behind the scenes spotlight

Harper Hill and Travis Morales, Reporter and Freelance Reporter

Ever since fifth grade, Justin Monarrez ‘18 has been passionate about all things theatre, especially production. Monarrez works year round to run the production cycle of shows. With all this hard work and enthusiasm, he is working towards his dream goal: stage manager for a Broadway show.

“I’m so passionate about theatre because it’s the one place where I fit in and feel like I’m valued. Theatre is a family, and they have welcomed me,” Monarrez said.

Monarrez is the Theatre Board Production Manager at LT. It is a very demanding and critical position Monarrez takes on, Theatre Board sponsor Ann Dudek said.

“He’s very detail oriented, responsible, and diligent. He has a strong passion for theatre,” Dudek said.

Monarrez has an independent study in his school schedule. He uses this time to send out emails to the crew, create agendas for meetings, and learn about production. He works with Technical Director Colleen Gibbons and Facilities Manager Laura Eilers to better understand how to prepare for his future as a production manager. Monarrez explores how theatre companies operate in a professional setting.

“I plan to pursue theatre in the future,” Monarrez said. “Nothing makes me happier and feel more fulfilled than presenting a show that I have worked on to an audience. The audience’s reaction is one of the best feelings in the world.”

Long before a production is ready to be performed, Monarrez helps orchestrate the lights and sound, supervises the construction of props, organizes crew meetings and, most importantly,

makes sure everyone else is doing their job.

“Justin is passionate about his work,” Ellie Burkes ‘18 said. “No challenge is too big or small for him. We all have our own roles, and Justin makes sure that we are doing our pre-assigned jobs. He checks in with us at the production meetings and makes sure that we are on schedule.”

Monarrez is currently working on directing one of two student-directed plays from the Donna Mavros Festival, titled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play,” he said. After an application process and interview, Monarrez was selected to be the director. The show will take place in the SC PAC on Jan. 19 and 20.

As director, Monarrez is in charge of running rehearsals, getting props, lights, sound cues, costumes, and everything in between for this show, he said.

“I am working with a talented cast and can’t wait for audiences to see what I’ve done,” he said.