A Backstage Tour with Lacey and Taryn

If there’s something to be said about drama, it’s that it’s best left on stage and not off. That’s why Hairspray has an unstoppable backstage crew to run the show! Of course, every good team needs it’s captains and that’s where Production Assistant, Lacey Talero, and Assistant Stage Manager, Taryn Friend come in. They keep the cast in line, the crew on pace and the show running like clockwork all under the watchful eye of the Production Stage Manager, Kerry Epstein. The key to running any operation is order and Lacey and Taryn have got that down pat. Lucky for the Hairline, they were thrilled to give us a peek backstage at how they keep a huge show like Hairspray organized from performance to performance.

Meet Lacey and Taryn!

This is where the actors and the crew sign in for each performance and get information regarding the show, such as whether there is a post show discussion that evening, or whether we have an understudy performing.

This is a list of every single prop that is used in the show, including everything from furniture to hand props. As members of the stage management team, Taryn and Lacey check off each item on the list as they set them in their appropriate location.

This is one of the prop shelves where Taryn and Lacey place those props.

This is Michelle's automation station. As the Automation Technician, it's her job to make sure that all of the automated scenery is in proper working order before each show. This is where the magic happens!

Wigs, wigs, and more wigs. Haley and Karmen do a great job of maintaining the wigs, as well as fitting the wigs on the actors.

And this is where the actors sit for Haley or Karmen to put their wigs on them.

These are all of the microphones used in the show with each mic assigned to a specific cast member. Our sound team (Kendric, Heath, and Steven) keeps track of which mic goes to which actor, puts new batteries in each show, helps attach the mics to the actors, and performs any necessary maintenance to the mics.

The backstage space is fairly minimal. Each piece of furniture has its own place, which makes moving the scenery like putting together a puzzle.

This is J.R., the rat who makes an appearance in "Good Morning, Baltimore" Some of our crew members are understandably a bit creeped out by the little guy.

Thanks for joining us backstage at Hairspray!