Legally Blonde: A Note from Backstage

Written by Denise Yabiku

Working backstage in our recent high school production of Legally Blonde – The Musical changed the way I understand what it takes to put on a show. From the audience, everything seems smooth (hopefully!). Behind the curtain, it really isn’t.

There were more than 200 props and over 40 pieces of furniture moving on and off stage in a carefully rehearsed choreography. Elle Woods, excellently played by our junior student Maria Del Grossi, had 16 outfit changes, some of them happening in just a few seconds. There were two dogs, a troupe of Irish dancers, a cheerleading number, and so many small things that could go wrong at any moment. Oh, and let’s not forget: it was a musical, which means everybody was dancing and singing at least half of the time — to LIVE music, played by an orchestra conducted by Mr. Jason Hackley. It doesn’t get more complex than that.

So here’s my note from backstage: Legally Blonde was one of the most challenging things I have ever done. You have to stay focused the entire time, always aware of where you are, what comes next, and who is depending on you. Watching Ms. Talitha Hansted work, the way she paid attention to everything, every detail, every transition, was inspiring, and it made me understand something about art that I don’t think I would have learned otherwise.

More than anything, I’ll remember what it felt like to build this with other people. It only works if everyone trusts each other and actually shows up for each other. It’s something I won’t forget anytime soon, and I don’t think any of us will.