megankeyser

The whir of power drills, fumes of spray paint, and energy of an excited set construction crew filled the PAC’s set shop as students designed and assembled the props for Marian’s fall musical, “Rags.”

“The set determines the artistic direction of the show,” art teacher Mr. Jeremy Cisco said. “The cast determines the direction of the show, but the artistic side sets the visual mood.”

While the cast of “Rags” appeared on stage to the audience, the set crew worked hard behind the curtain. “It’s good that we have Marian students helping [to build], and we’re not just taking props from other schools,” junior Courtney Doherty said. “The play has people involved besides just the actors.”

After many trips to The Home Depot to collect supplies, the crew spent most of October designing and constructing sets.

This musical’s stage was minimally decorated in comparison to last year’s productions “The Little Mermaid” and “Cursing Mummies.” The musical’s plot, the struggle of immigrants in New York City in 1910, required a less extravagant setting than previous performances.

“For this show, we have a lot of leftovers. We recycle a lot of material,” Cisco said. “Rolling platforms and steps we always keep, because we re- use and redesign them to make them look a little specific for each show.” The recycling of props kept the construction fees far below the projected budget. The crew also used the set pieces on loan from Creighton University.

The set construction crew gathered weekly to build and reconstruct wooden frames to create a sweat- shop, wheel- barrows, boats, and platforms.  When the curtains parted for the first performance on Oct. 29, audience members were immediately drawn into the 20th-century bleak New York setting as they enjoyed “Rags.” “The setting brings the story to life,” junior Anna Nulty said. “It makes it real.”