[Note: This week three cast members of "The Diary of Anne Frank" are giving us a backstage look at the making of Uni's fall play. Senior Michelle Gao got the ball rolling Tuesday, followed by junior Lauren Piester on Wednesday. Sophomore Anna Gooler continues the diary today.]

TECH WEEK STARTED on Sunday with a five-hour rehearsal. It continued to Wednesday with rehearsals from 5 to 10 every night. I can pretty much sum up the tech week experience in one word: intense.

But, finally, Thursday night was opening night. All that intensity and hard work came back at me in the form of a reward: an awesome play.

Because I am only on stage for a few minutes of the play, I decided that I would take up more behind-the-scenes responsibilities.

This mainly includes costumes: measuring the cast, rummaging through the crowded costume room to find period-appropriate clothing, and making sure everyone has clothes that fit decently.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Your costume’s ripped? I’ll sew it! You need a Jewish star on your jacket? I’ll attach it! You can’t find your shoes? I’ll find them!

It’s not that I don’t enjoy helping out. I love being part of theater, no matter what I’m doing.

I just didn’t know what I was getting myself into that first day I walked into the costume room to help Stephanie Overmier.

She’s a fellow sophomore and friend who had originally volunteered to do costumes. However, when she couldn’t come to some of the rehearsals, I volunteered to help, too.

If you've seen the costume room lately, you know that it's overflowing with fabric, sequins, and fur. It's great that we have a variety of costumes, but going through them all takes hard work.

It was worth it, though. The clothes might not be the cast's first choice of everyday attire, but I still think everyone looks great on stage!

Then I think to myself, "Only two more performances!" But, this is a double-egded sword. After Saturday, I can relax! No more repairing ripped costumes or stressing when hair doesn't look right.

But, after Saturday, what will I do after school? Being involved in plays keeps me busy, and being busy actually keeps my mind away from stress.

So, in the words of my wonderful friend Tianna Pittenger (along with many others), "Que sera sera." The relaxation and sadness will all balance out in the end.

CAST LIST: "THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK"

• Anne Frank: Sarah Lake-Rayburn
• Otto Frank: Ethan Berl
• Edith Frank: Lor Sligar
• Margot Frank: Lauren Piester
• Miep Gies: Michelle Gao
• Peter Van Daan: Dillon Price
• Mr. Kraler: Rob Diehl
• Mrs. Van Daan: Hannah Lake-Rayburn
• Mr. Van Daan: Ethan Stone
• Mr. Dussel: Zack Goldberg
• Nazi officers and Dutch collaborators: Will Erickson, Anna Gooler, Daniel McNamara, Tianna Pittenger, Laura Voitik
• Understudies: Will Erickson, Anna Gooler, Tianna Pittenger

CREW LIST: "THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK"

• Production assistants: Anna Gooler, Tianna Pittenger, Laura Voitik
• Assistant director: Jen Goheen
• Stage managers: Tianna Pittenger, Laura Voitik
• Costumes: Anna Gooler, Stephanie Overmier
• Understudies: Will Erickson, Anna Gooler, Tianna Pittenger
• Lighting design: Jen Goheen, Natsuki Nakamura, James Smith
• Sound: Dan Moses Schreier
• Additional sound: Laura Voitik, Michelle Gao, Lauren Piester
• Piano: Karen Han
• Voices: Jim Best, Richard Murphy, Adam Tiouririne
• Light board operators: Adam Joseph, James Smith
• Sound operator: Jamie Weiser
• Sound equipment: Greg Smith
• Projection: Micah Berman
• Poster design: Michelle Gao
• Program design: Anna Gooler, Lauren Piester
• Stage crew: Will Erickson, Anna Gooler, Adam Joseph, Daniel McNamara, Tianna Pittenger, Stefanie Senior, Laura Voitik
• Set crew: Ethan Berl, Rob Diehl, Will Erickson, Katherine Floess, Zack Goldberg, Anna Gooler, Cristina Gratton, Adam Joseph, Daniel McNamara, Natsuki Nakamura, Stephanie Overmier, Lauren Piester, Tianna Pittenger, Dillon Price, Serena Schatz, Stefanie Senior, Lor Sligar, James Smith, Lisa Sproat, Laura Voitik, Fiona Weingartner

Gargoyle photo by Sindha Agha (click to enlarge)

Sophomore Anna Gooler's enjoyment is apparent as she mends a costume backstage.