Theater has always given students an opportunity to show off their talents on center stage. Although crew members’ talents are not on display for all to see, their work is equally as important. It is often rare to see students shine in both areas, yet the number of those unique students is growing.

    Junior theater member Devon Fornal has had experiences being a lead on stage and a hidden crew member behind-the-scenes.

    “I started to do theater when I was in elementary school. In third grade I would go to the Culture House and go do little kids shows. Then I did it [theater] all through middle school. I would take voice lessons and do a couple of shows outside of school like Oliver Twist … sophomore year I did Cinderella, and then this year I was on the crew for Guys and Dolls and now I am Willard in Footloose,” Fornal said.

    Freshman year, Fornal decided to do stage crew to create more time for other school activities such as Scholar’s Bowl, but he ended up learning much more than expected.

    “It [stage crew] definitely has made me appreciate what the backstage people do, because there is a lot of stress involved in moving all the things around for all the actors. During Guys and Dolls I messed up and moved the set wrong … Messing up really affected the actors and they had to ad lib a little bit … but it made me appreciate what they do, because without the stage crew there would never be a show,” Fornal said.

    However, Fornal is not the only student to have backstage and on-stage experience. Many students are beginning to participate in both, something that the theater department encourages.

    “When you have a better knowledge of what the right hand and the left hand are doing in theater, you have a whole new appreciation for the whole process. So I think it is really good for our students to choose to do it [cast and crew] every now and then,” director Mindy Fry said.

    Although he had a good experience as stage crew, Fornal has decided to stay on stage as an actor.

    “I like being part of the show, like on stage. I like singing on stage,” Fornal said.

    For those close to Fornal, his growth has been extraordinary to witness.

    “I’ve known Devon since sixth grade, he went to Mill Creek when I was teaching there. It has been fun watching him grow up. It has just been kind of neat watching Devon become more comfortable in his own skin and really start to own the talent that he has, and to be comfortable using it to enhance the theater and choir programs at De Soto High School,” Fry said.

    Junior Cameron Allen, a good friend of Fornal’s, shares a similar experience with Fornal as he landed his first major role recently in Guys and Dolls. Although Allen acquired a smaller role in Footloose, the support he has for Fornal remains unceasing.

    “I am so proud of him. From knowing him since we were born and going through middle school together, it is really a proud moment seeing him grow,” Allen said.

    Fornal will be starring in Footloose at 7 p.m. every night from Feb. 28 through March 2.

    “He is going to be hilarious and you will absolutely miss out on something amazing if you do not come to see him in the show,” Fry said.