Crew behind the scenes are also stars

At Boonton High School, months of preparation, collaboration, and creativity have come together for this year’s spring musical, “All Shook Up.”

Behind the scenes and under the stage lights, members of the BHS Drama Club say the 2026 production represents far more than a performance — it reflects dedication, teamwork, and a shared sense of community.

For senior Paige Monza, the show quite literally shines under her direction.

Monza serves as the lighting director for the drama club, a role she has held throughout all four years of her high school career. Her journey in stage production began much earlier.

“I started all the way back in sixth grade learning lighting in general,” Monza said. “Sadly, I never got to use my skills because of COVID-19. However, during my last year of middle school, eighth grade, I got to continue as the lighting director for the middle school drama club.”

Bringing a production to life is no small task. According to Monza, it takes months of careful planning and adjustment.

“It takes months for the show to come to life — months of trial and error to make sure the lights are perfect from scene to scene,” she explained. “The show comes to life when I see the lights bring out the emotions and actions of the characters, songs, and props in the show.”

Over the years, she has witnessed the growth and passion of her fellow students.

“I have seen remarkable talent and dedication to the drama club community,” Monza said. “Everyone who joins the drama club is encouraged to express themselves and be themselves. Drama club is an open and caring community of amazing people with so much talent, using it to their best ability.”

Audiences attending this year’s performance can expect what she describes as “an enjoyable experience,” adding that students are giving their all to present “All Shook Up.”

Working alongside Monza behind the curtain is senior Bryan Duffy, one of the show’s stage managers. Duffy has been involved in drama club for four years, first discovering his interest in theater during sixth grade through his sister.

“To make the show come to life, it takes about five months of planning, building, and painting,” Duffy said. “My job is to work with the director, stage craft director, the cast, the light crew, the sound crew, the stage crew, the build crew, and the front of the house. My team and I work together to bring all aspects of the theater production together to ensure viewers have the best experience.”

Duffy described the drama club as a close-knit group fueled by passion.

“The students in the drama club are very dedicated to the art that is theater,” he said. “Their dedication brings the theater to life and makes the drama club feel like a family.”

He encourages crew members to embrace challenges and remain open-minded.

“Think outside the box and be ready for anything. Keep moving forward,” Duffy advised. “If all else fails, ask Mr. Matarazzo. No questions are bad questions, even if asked a hundred times. Be curious and have fun while doing so.”

Also serving as stage manager this year is Brooke Pisarcik, whose experience spans both onstage and backstage roles. Pisarcik joined the drama club as a freshman, first appearing in a lead role in the musical “Footloose” before transitioning to stage crew during her junior year.

Although she began participating in drama club in fifth grade, she never imagined she would still be involved eight years later.

“Seeing both sides of the show and craft, I know it takes a lot of work to make it come to life from both the cast and the crew, but both are equally as important,” Pisarcik said.

She estimates that it takes about two months to fully pull the show together — time that seems plentiful at first but quickly disappears as opening night approaches.

“It really gets down to the wire at the end,” she said. “We manage to do it every year without fail though.”

Throughout her time in the program, Pisarcik has seen students from all backgrounds find their place.

“From star athletes to freshmen who haven’t quite found their place yet, no matter where they have come from, they always found a place here,” she said. “From good actors, singers, and dancers to aspiring leaders, this is the place to be yourself.”

This year, she promises audiences “one heck of a show,” noting that they would be “crazy to miss it.”

For students considering joining drama club in the future, Pisarcik describes it as one of the best decisions she has ever made.

“You learn not just how to build things, sing, and dance, but how to be a team player and part of a family — to work together to get it done in the end,” she said. “It may not be for everyone but, if you are considering it, just try it out. It may be better than you could ever imagine.”