Backstage Pass: Tech Week Fun with Aristocats Kids at The Stage Oconee
Hello, and welcome to the blog! Today, we’re bringing you another segment of our Backstage Pass series—an insider look at one of our production class performances here at The Stage Oconee, right in the heart of Watkinsville, GA!
Our Spring 2025 production class for our younger students brought Aristocats Kids to life this May, and we couldn’t be more proud of these amazing performers! Whether you're part of the Oconee County, Athens, or Watkinsville community, we’re so glad you're here to celebrate this peek behind the curtain.
Join our Graphic Design and Social Media Assistant, Tess Murray, as she takes us into the heart of tech week for this fun-filled show.
🎬 The Beginning of Tech Week
The video starts with a glimpse of the beginning of tech week—our creative team setting up in the audience space and a quick peek into the sound booth with our light techs, Lennon Moriarty and John Wheeler.
Next up, you’ll see our Director, Evan McCall, working with students to run a scene before a full rehearsal. Directors often focus on specific moments or songs before running the full show—especially if it’s choreography-heavy or full of moving parts. Sometimes, these scenes are used as warm-ups too!
👀 While you're watching, take note of the beautiful backdrop! That piece was originally a smaller painting by Tess Murray, then sent off to be printed on backdrop-sized fabric. A true team effort to bring visual magic to our Watkinsville stage!
🎤 Sound Checks and Mic Team Moments
We then take a look at our mic techs—Alora Plemmons, Maggie Claire Dukes, and Charlie Oesterle—helping cast members get mic’d up in the sound booth. After mics are placed, students head to the stage for mic checks, where our sound techs ask each performer to say their quietest and loudest lines and sing part of a song. It’s a big part of making sure our audience in Oconee County and beyond hears every word!
🎭 Assistant Stage Managers + Backstage Antics
Next, you’ll see our assistant stage managers—Carly Murray, Zach Freeman, and Rhett Hamby—in action during the show. Keep an eye out for some “in the wings” fun, too. Our creative team always keeps things upbeat, even behind the scenes.
After the show, the team and our amazing volunteers jump into reset mode: picking up trash, re-setting chairs, sweeping the floor—all part of keeping our Watkinsville studio running smoothly.
💚 Green Room + Cast Warm-Ups
Watch as Director Evan McCall gathers the cast for a Green Room moment before a show. This pre-show meeting is a chance to recap notes, share any updates from the crew, and get everyone hyped up and ready to perform. It’s a special tradition that helps everyone feel confident and connected.
We wrap up the vlog with the cast warming up before their final performance—fast, fun, and full of energy! Our team loves using upbeat warm-ups to help cast (and crew!) shake off nerves and get pumped up, especially for that last big run.
That’s a Wrap on Aristocats Kids!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this Backstage Pass look into Aristocats Kids tech week here at The Stage Oconee. This show was full of heart, laughter, and learning—and we’re so proud of what these young performers accomplished.
📍 Based in Watkinsville, GA, The Stage Oconee proudly serves families from Oconee County, Athens, and surrounding Northeast Georgia communities.
We can’t wait to bring you more behind-the-scenes peeks like this one!
🎥 While you’re here, make sure to like and follow us:
Facebook: The Stage Oconee
Instagram: @thestageoconee
TikTok: @thestageoconee
Thanks for supporting youth theatre in your community—we’ll see you next time!
