Junior Viviana Diaz-Jones was the stage manager for “Sweeney Todd,” which means that she oversaw and managed the actors and technicians in the production. A musical like “Sweeney Todd” requires a lot of technical and musical effort to be ready to perform on a stage. One main component to make a musical great is to have a stage manager who is willing to take on all of the responsibilities given to them.

“I like leading people,” Diaz-Jones said. “(I like) being able to help out wherever I can, and I feel like I’m at the point in this department where I’m comfortable in my knowledge (of theater).”

Although “Sweeney Todd” needed a lot of work within the set and the technical aspects like lights and sound, the crew was very small compared to the cast and musicians, which meant the crew put in a lot of extra work.

“This is probably the biggest set we’ve done that I’ve been a part of,” Diaz-Jones said. “There’s a lot of platforms involved, there’s a rotating platform involved, a beautiful chair, a chute, and just so many elements that have gone into this, and we only have a crew of maybe seven people.”

Despite being in love with “Sweeney Todd” and her work in the show, she still worries about her free time outside of school, as well as other extracurricular activities she’s in. Her duties as stage manager also seep into the time that she gets to study for tests or do homework. Diaz-Jones is in a lot of clubs, being an officer in both the National Art Honor Society and Book Club, as well as an active member of the Art Club.

“I know myself and a lot of other students have struggled with balancing not only schoolwork but other extracurriculars along with the show,” Diaz-Jones said, “I’ve not been able to keep up with my responsibilities in those clubs if I’m putting ‘Sweeney Todd’ first and trying to be the best stage manager I can be.

“All of the company has sacrificed a lot of time and work and effort, and put so much thought into everything that they’re giving to make this show come together.”