As the lights of the theater dim and the curtains are drawn open, New Tech High @ Coppell senior Sarah Myers, Cowboy Theatre Company stage manager, carefully watches, making sure the process is flowing smoothly.

Myers first got into theater in sixth grade, inspired from her older sister, Lauren, at Coppell Middle School West. Continuing as an actor into the beginning of high school, she got into stage management later on.

Another inspiration for her starting theater was figure skating. Having been figure skating since she was 6, she sees many parallels between the two. Theater, like skating, allows Myers to have an artistic output to express herself and hone skills.

“Both in figure skating and in theater you are very in the moment while also thinking ahead,” Myers said. “They develop a lot of the same skills. Things like work ethic, thinking on your feet and communication.”

Near the end of ninth grade, Myers started to get into technical theater as she wanted to explore new skills beyond acting. Eventually, she fell in love with stage management since it allows her to be more impactful.

“I liked that I had an impact on the show and company as a whole and that I was able to help morale and move the production process forward,” Myers said.

Myers also enjoys stage managing because the position allows her to see the play come together full circle from the beginning to the end of the production. Stage management gives her a sense of satisfaction to see all the work pay off.

“I love seeing the gradual process of the show coming together and seeing the work that everyone is doing,” Myers said. “The show is a big puzzle which starts in many pieces, and I’m one of the only people that sees the entire thing being put together piece by piece.”

Because stage management carries responsibility, Myers coordinates the technical aspects of the play and gives directions, something that can get stressful when obstacles appear.

In the Cowboy Theatre Company’s show “Mamma Mia!” last year, a bed used as part of the set broke, and Myers had to find a creative way to fix it as the show was running.

“I’ve learned to deal with problems that come up unexpectedly or at the last minute calmly in real time,” Myers said.

Her experience as a stage manager has also enabled Myers to develop better communication and teamwork skills that have helped her gain respect and better coordinate high-quality plays.

“The biggest thing about Sarah is that she has so much respect from her peers. She toes that line of being organized and efficient yet relatable,” Coppell High School technical theater director Grace Hellyer said.

As a stage manager, Myers can be casual and compassionate while still being able to meet the needs of the play and coordinate it. She successfully guides peers to produce a successful production and keep cohesion.

“Sarah Myers gives people the opportunity to figure out their role and help them learn it,” said CHS junior Harrison Greenburg, Cowboy Theatre Company’s “9 To 5” assistant stage manager.

Stage management enables Myers to grow and explore many new skills and experiences, impact the Cowboy Theatre Company and express herself creatively, becoming an instrumental part of who she is now.

“I think that stage management has made me into the person that I am today,” Myers said

This story was originally published on Coppell Student Media on December 11, 2023.