A massive set piece caused a long gouge on the expensive, newly replaced stage floor during one of the intermissions of the Friday, November 9 production of “Bye Bye Birdie.”
Improper handling of a platform, one of the bigger sets, led to the scratch, which has temporarily been filled.
Machinist Kern Levigion filled in the scratch with woody putty and tech crew member Yara Kass-Gergi stained the area so it now blends in with the rest of the stage.
The original black-painted stage was renovated two years ago for $10,000 and replaced with a stained wooden floor. While the wooden floor has a brighter appearance, it can be easily scratched.
“[A painted floor] would be easier to fix, while the wooden one is harder to maintain,” tech crew faculty advisor Leslie Bernstein said.
Tech crew members are taught to raise the set pieces when carrying them to and from the stage. “You needed to lift the platform so you don’t cause any cracks,” senior and tech co-director Lily Schwarzbaum said.
Due to the large number of set pieces required for the musical, the tech crew asked for assistance from some of the freshman actors, who were probably unaware of the correct way to carry the big platform pieces. As the platform was lifted and pushed from one side, its other side was left to drag, causing the set piece to plow through the wooden floor.
“It wasn’t their fault,” senior and tech co-director Sara Kass-Gergi said. “They were panicking.”
“The stage isn’t meant to be utilized for such productions,” said Sara Kass-Gergi, referring to the musical that included multiple sets and quick set changes. “It’s better suited for things like chorus.”
“Its part of a bigger problem,” Bernstein said. “There are so many students, so it is impossible to watch everyone.” The theater productions are largely student-run. If something goes wrong during the play, it is up to the students to take care of the problem. “A lot of work done without me there. That’s an issue,” she said.
Principal Stanley Teitel said no punitive measures would be taken and there will be no change in policy towards the handling of the stage equipment.
“Wow, you can hardly see it,” said Schwarzbaum as she reviewed the filled gouge.