“Mary Poppins” opened last weekend, and there is one more weekend to catch enjoy this the fall musical.
From the set designer’s imagination to the student stage manager’s detailed scheduling, the actors’ performances, and the teacher advisor’s guidance, Lake Stevens High School students collaborated to bring a script to an unforgettable show.
Not all the magic happens on stage. Behind the curtain at Lake Stevens High School, student stage managers, designers, actors, and advisors are working tirelessly to bring the “Mary Poppins” musical to life.
While audiences will enjoy colorful sets and performances, the real work happened behind the scenes. For weeks, student stage managers, set designers, actors and teacher advisors at Lake Stevens High School have been planning, rehearsing and problem-solving to get “Mary Poppins” ready for its performances. This collaboration not only sets the stage for a smooth production, but also offers students opportunities in leadership, teamwork and creative problem-solving.
“They have a family here in a community, and that I hope they keep these memories forever,” teacher advisor Frau Atchley said.
Behind the stage curtains, the set builders have been hard at work bringing “Mary Poppins” together. They measure, cut, painted and assembled the scenery that transports the audience to 1910s London. Junior Chloe Bernstein is part of the team developing the visual atmosphere of the play and transforming the PAC stage into the world of “Mary Poppins”.
“I love it because when you’re watching the actual play, you can see what you’ve created,” Bernstein said.
Bernstein is one of several set builders balancing creativity, safety and timing to ensure the stage is ready for rehearsals and performances.
While the set crew focused on building the world of “Mary Poppins”, the stage management team keeps everything running behind the scenes. Junior Natalie Stowell oversees scheduling, cues and communication between departments to make sure all rehearsals stay on track.
“I’ll have all the set cues, all the sound, what times props and costumes are coming on and off stage, and then, yeah,” Stowell explained.
Stowell works with the entire musical staff, taking notes on scene changes and timing. Her attention to detail helps ensure that all the pieces, sets, actors, music and lighting fit together smoothly by opening night.
While stage managers coordinate the production, the actors focus on bringing their characters to life. Students spend hours memorizing lines and songs, practicing character actions and exploring personalities to advance their performances.
Sophomore Cooper Hedglin, an actor in the musical who plays a servant, shared that certain scenes have challenged him to focus and grow as a performer.
“I slam my face on the stage and I get knocked out, and that was very hard because I have to not hurt myself while also making it look realistic and funny,” Hedglin said.
With the set built, cues called and actors rehearsed, all the pieces of the “Mary Poppins” musical are coming together thanks to collaboration among students and their teacher advisor. Every department is essential to the production’s success.
Behind the curtain, the dedication, teamwork, and creativity of Lake Stevens High School students will make the show shine. Audiences can purchase tickets now through Nov. 22, 2025.
Buy tickets now using this link!
