Teddie Schmitt As CKHS Stage Manager
Teddie Schmitt has been the CKHS drama club stage manager for two years. Their position connects them to all aspects of theater.
Stage manager Teddie Schmitt working with tech crew members during “cue to cue” rehearsal of The Jungle book. This is when lighting and other technical elements are set based on each actor and their position on stage during each scene of the show.
One of the most crucial roles in any Central Kitsap High School drama club production is the role of stage manager. The current stage manager Teddie Schmitt dedicates up to three hours a day to shows.
Stage managers work with both the technical and acting side of theater.
“The stage manager is essentially the person who organizes the actors and gives them direction straight from the director. It is one of the most important roles in the entire show production process,” The CKHS drama club director Zach Timm said.
Schmitt is the director’s “right hand man” throughout their productions together.
“In terms of the chain of command, outside of me or Mr. Fox, Teddie’s the person who’s in charge and I think they all really look up to them for that,” Timm said.
Theater groups are often referred to as a “theater family.” As the stage manager, Schmitt has developed a personal relationship with many of the actors in the drama club.
“They help the actors, whether on stage or offstage, or totally behind the scenes. They’re really supportive and help us a lot. Learning lines is tough and it’s a lot of work and they help with that,” actor Zee Gemmer said.
Schmitt and Gemmer met through theater. They have since become close friends and often spend time together outside of rehearsals.
“They are friends with basically everyone in the cast,” Gemmer elaborated. “Everybody feels really safe with Teddie and feels like they can rely on them for a lot of things, whether that’s onstage or offstage.”
During their freshman year, Schmitt began training as the assistant stage manager under the direction of Kaylen Madden through the production of Macbeth.
“The stage manager typically tends to train the assistant stage manager, if there is one for the production,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt did not currently have an assistant stage manager, but they hope to have one by the end of this year to take over after they graduate.
In the last four years Schmitt has worked on multiple CKHS productions, as well as theater summer camps and working with the Kitsap Children’s Musical Theater program.
“The process of watching Teddie grow from a freshman during our production of Macbeth to where they’re at now, and seeing them grow their understanding of what theater is and the processes involved, working with people and getting the confidence to instruct them right, it’s been really cool,” Timm said.
Their position has given Schmitt many opportunities to grow and build themselves into a more effective stage manager.
“Seeing Teddie going from somebody who was a shy freshman who wasn’t really confident in taking charge of a room to somebody who could whip the actors into shape in a few seconds…The experience has been cool watching Teddie grow as a person, but also grow as a really confident stage manager who is super competent and great at their job,” Timm said.
Timm and Schmitt spend a lot of time working together, and have built their professional relationship through Schmitt’s role as the stage manager.
Everything runs through the stage manager. We’re grateful for everything that Teddie has done for the program. — Zee Gemmer
“It’s gotten to the point where if I miss a day or two and Mr. Fox is happy to supervise rehearsal, Teddie’s the one who runs it. And I trust them to do that,” Timm said.
Although Schmitt is a huge part of any production, many people don’t know how much they do for drama.
“I don’t need recognition,” Schmitt said. “I get my name in the flier that they give out. If I wanted recognition I’d be on stage.”
Behind-the-scenes organization is the foundation of any play. Schmitt works with the tech director Don Fox and tech crew while the actors are on stage performing in front of an audience.
“You don’t have to be onstage and perform to be a part of this, to be a part of theater and be able to have a role where you’re still super involved,” Schmitt said. “You’re working with a director, you’re working with the actors, you’re working with tech. It’s really nice.”
Schmitt enjoys their position and the connections they make during rehearsals. They’ve made many fun memories from working on past productions.
“I remember it was my freshman year, so I would have been an assistant stage manager,” Schmitt said. “We were doing headshots for Macbeth, and I have a video of two of our actors running full speed down the hallway with one on the other’s shoulders. It is one of the most absurd things and is the one I think back to whenever I think of the Macbeth production.”
Schmitt will continue to work with the actors, tech crew, and directors on future CKHS productions. After they graduate, they are going to work with college theater organizations and are considering making theater into their career.
“We would be nowhere without Teddie doing theater,” Gemmer said.
