Three times each year the theater department’s faculty and staff come together with student actors to craft a vivid performances. Haverford’s plays are well known for their intricate scenes, lighting, and sound design. All of these aspects are managed by the stage crew, and organized by the Technical Director of Centennial Hall.
Following the departure of Mr. William Bryant, Mr. Dex Woodward has now joined the school community, serving as the new Production Manager/Technical Director of Centennial Hall. He is responsible for designing the sets, finding suitable lighting for each scene, and selecting interesting music and sound effects to complement the actors on stage.
Mr. Woodward is also responsible for maintaining Centennial Hall and preparing it for all kinds of events, from school assemblies to religious gatherings.
Mr. Woodward stumbled upon his passion by sheer coincidence. During middle school, his computer teacher identified him as someone who might have a talent for running the light console for the school’s drama department. He was drawn to it not only by light design, but also by his interests in prop construction, rigging, crafting costumes, and working with professional theater companies.
Seeing an opportunity to turn his favorite activity into a career, Mr. Woodward went to Emerson College, where he received a BFA in theater design and technology. Outside of the theater, Mr. Woodward enjoys learning new things, and he admits that this is the reason he often drops and picks up new hobbies. He enjoys tinkering with computers and network devices, cycling, cooking, and ice skating.
When students are next watching a school play or musical, they should remember that people like Mr. Woodward are working rigorously behind the scenes.
Inside school he is passionate about his work and is interested in seemingly impossible challenges. Since the beginning of school Mr. Woodward and the stage crew have already reorganized the scene shop and the catwalk. Mr. Woodward believes that organization is key to a great performance, and his organizational efforts should make the technical aspects of stage direction easier for years to come.
When students are next watching a school play or musical, they should remember that people like Mr. Woodward are working rigorously behind the scenes.
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