Avery Weston

Spotlight Showcase
Technical Theater Career Pathway Stage Manager
Co-Writers - Andrew Bourgoin, Greta Gorsch
State Theatre, Hennepin Theatre Trust - Minneapolis, MN
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Executive Producer/Music Director - Andrew Bourgoin
Associate Producer - Julia Larson
Choreographers - Linda Talcott Lee, Julia Larson, Elly Stahlke, Ashley Selmer, Chelsea Rose
Production Stage Manager - Chloe Brevik-Rich
Lighting Designer - Christopher Nimm
Sound Designer - Merritt Benton
Projection Designer - Adamson Novak
Scenic Painter - Angelique Powers
Spotlight Showcase is the annual state-wide Minnesota High School Theater Showcase that is put on by the Hennepin Theatre Trust in downtown Minneapolis. In 2022, I was selected to be a member of the stage manager as a part of the Technical Theater Career Pathway Select Track. I worked with three other student stage managers, two student lighting designers, the production stage manager and associate producer to run rehearsals, help with load-in and load-out, and manage over 75 schools that performed during the showcase dates.
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I was assigned to be the stage manager for the Class of 2022 Senior Feature Number. I created rehearsal reports that were sent out to the production team and dance blocking notes. Due to the unique nature of Spotlight, I created digital versions of the dance blocking notes and the solo breakdown for ease of communication and delivery to the large production team. During the Showcase, I got the opportunity to call the cues for the Senior number at the State Theatre in Minneapolis.
Paperwork
Scenic Drop
Another element of the Showcase that all of the Technical Theater Career Pathway students worked on was painting a new scenic drop with the help of scenic charge artist Angelique Powers. We worked in the Rarig Center at the University of Minnesota to paint a 50' x 30' scenic drop. Pictured below are progress photos and photos of the final result.





Progress photos at the Rarig Center
Final scenic drop at the Rarig Center

Final scenic drop at the State Theatre

