++ vol.XXXI The TritonianApril 2021 Notre Dame Academy Issue 1 The Show Goes On...And The Advisers Recall How It All Began For Them... Carolyn Brown I may be the old lady who brought My former school in Chicago had a the idea of Mr. NDA (now the Mr. Hoffman Hawk Contest, and stu- Academy Awards) to NDA, but the dents would camp out all night to get team behind the show has evolved it tickets. Our big high school of 2500 into the production we have today. students had an auditorium that seat- I don’t do much anymore, but I ed only 350, so tickets were a hot item. wouldn’t want to miss watching Mrs. There the show was a fundraiser for the Campbell, Frau Laaksonen, Mrs. Drama Club. One year I had been one Hinch, and Mrs. VanGrunsven tweak of the teacher emcees and saw first- performers’ acts and amaze me with hand how popular it was with the kids. their energy and technology talents. So we adapted their show based on tal- Holly Hinch ent, beachwear and Q & A competi- I have always loved the show! When tion. We added senior emcees, tried to I was in 8th grade, my brother was involve underclassmen with the idea of in the show. When I was a fresh- rampeteers, and Voila! We had a show! man, I was a rampeteer. When I was a senior, I emceed the show. When I will never forget our first show be- I was a first-year teacher at NDA, cause the students and parents were so I judged the show. And ever since excited, so grateful. It was like nothing then, I have helped out with the show. they’d ever had here. People couldn’t From Left to Right: Sarah VanGrunsven, Julie Campbell, Carolyn Brown, Jennie Laaksonen, and Holly Hinch believe it! I think it was one of the I help out with the emcees. I sched- commotion in the auditorium, so act in the Academy Awards.’ it was a highlight of my twenty plus best nights of my life because people ule and organize the auditions, I peeked in to see what was going years associated with this great show. just rushed backstage after it was over help them write the script, and on. A group of guys were practicing Some of my favorite memories are and celebrated like we were gods or help them with anything they need for Mr NDA (actually at that time from the fun that happens during The behind the scenes of the show, goddesses for putting on the show. the days leading up to the show. it was called Mr. MVP.) I stayed and practices. I will never be able to hear including the music and lighting are This year, we are going to switch watched, laughed and gave sugges- the Pitch Perfect song ‘I’ve Got the phenomenal and have been for so long Then every school in the area heard things up a bit with the emcees by that they may get taken for granted. tions. From that day on I was in- Magic In Me’ without thinking of about our show, sent representa- having them be more like Entertain- the group of guys in Luke Davison’s volved in the production of what is tives to come see it and started their ment Tonight newscasters, introduc- act. They practiced so many times The attention to detail by these unsung now called The Academy Awards. own version of it. In fact, our Mr. ing the acts and contestants on video. that we all knew the choreography. heroes have made good acts great, NDA became the start of an area- resulting in fabulous shows. We have The show is always one of my fa- been blessed with the best tech crews. wide show called Mr. Green Bay I love how the show makes every- My children grew up coming to the vorite memories of the school year. practices and dancing on the stage Jeff Bins in the early years and Jake and later Mr. Titletown, where some one so creative. It is a great bond- between acts. When they were old Gerlikovski in the more recent years of our winners got several thou- ing experience for everyone involved. Every year I am so grateful to be enough, they worked during the show have individually, and with the help sand dollars in scholarship money. Much of the fun is in the preparation! able to work with some of the as ‘runners’ of the ballots. Whether it of their amazing teams, contributed to best women in the building. We was as a rampeteer, personal assistant, the continuing excellence of this show. One year we invited back our first “The other advisers I work with are so are truly a well-oiled machine. curtain puller, tech crew, in the senior few winners, so they could see how amazing at what they do! Wouldn’t dance, video maker, contestant or the Jen Laaksonen the show has evolved. About the only want to do it with anyone else! creativity behind many winning acts, I find myself watching a TV thing that is the same--and, ironically, all four have been a part of the show in I came to this event after Mrs. show, commercial or movie and we won’t have it this year--is the ramp. Julie Campbell one way or another while in high school, Campbell and Mrs. Brown already thinking ‘that could be a great I was leaving school and heard some so obviously when Owen won last year See The Show Goes On..., Page 4 Tech Crew Shines Behind The Scenes Thomas Coyle, a senior, has been on crew during his freshman year, and the crew since his freshman year and that prompted him to join as well. described the thrill that he gets when the show starts and the lights start One of these friends was a current to dim and he gets to see the faces NDA senior, Jackson Salzwedel. of people excited to watch the show. Salzwedel has been on the crew Coyle has been on the crew since his since his freshman year. He joined freshman year and is looking into me- because he had done some light- chanical engineering for his future. ing and sound board work in middle school and wanted to con- Owen Campbell, senior, explained tinue that experience in high school. that the most rewarding part of be- ing on the crew is the memories. When considering what type of performance he enjoys running These memories include his personal the most, he said, “I prefer mu- favorite memory, the spring play sicals because they have a story.” Stella Divine Stella his freshman year. His most memorable experience From Left to Right: Thomas Coyle, Jack Salzwedel, Grace Gunville, Harrison James, Riley Guyette. Not Pictured: Nate Ruggles “It was the first time I ever worked on the crew was handling a spot- the sound board alone,” Camp- light on the Addams Family Show. By Riley Guyette bell explained. “It was also She has now been working on warm outside after the show.” The crew wouldn’t be functional with- Most people watch a show and have the crew at the soundboard in the crew for a year and a half. no idea what goes into it,” said Grace the auditorium making sure out the crew’s technical director, Jake Campbell had a lot of experience Gerlikovski, who has been working Gunville, a junior and member of all audio is working properly. Gunville explained the attitude the student technical crew at NDA. with video editing in middle school. in this field for roughly eight years. you must have to be in the crew. This, and a recommendation from his Members of the crew do the work “You have to be able to take criti- The technical crew isn’t usually in the they do for many different reasons. mom, Mrs. Julie Campbell, prompted cism, put in long hours, be a part of him to join the crew his freshman year. He got interested in lighting and spotlight, and you most likely have a team and be patient,” she explained. sound in middle school and later on not thought about the work they do. “It’s fulfilling to see all of our hard work started being a DJ at very small events. come together,” Gunville explained. Nathaniel Ruggles, senior, has been James, now a junior, joined the tech on the crew since his sophomore year. The crew sets up lighting, sound Gunville wanted to join the technical crew because his older sister wanted “What really pushed me was working and sometimes video for Mass- crew in her freshman year but decided him to get involved with the school. in the auditorium at NDA in high es, musicals, Tritonfest, Academy not to because she was already in band. In regards to the crew, Ruggles school,” explained Gerlikovski. Awards, concerts, Cabaret Nights said, “It’s all a lot of fun.” In- “That is when I knew exactly Evidently her idea worked, for James deed, Ruggles plans to study the- what I wanted to do for a living.” and all other assemblies in the au- The following year she talked to Har- acknowledged, “I like being part of ditorium, commons and gyms. rison James, a sophomore at the time atrical production in college. a community,” when asked why he His main duty is to make sure and member of the crew, about joining. works so hard behind the scenes. You will likely see members of Two of his friends were on the See Tech Crew Shines, Page 4 2 Academy Awards -The Contestants Coke or Pepsi, Jacob? Coke.