Lili Robles’ life backstage can be quite dramatic. The senior spends hours finding everyone and everything she needs for the play to be successful. As the stage manager, it’s important for her to know everything about everyone while keeping track of what’s going on while answering questions.
Robles has been a part of drama since sixth grade at JL Simpson Middle School. She originally ran crew and then became stage manager in seventh grade, which was cut short by the COVID-related school closure. But her love of theater started earlier, with a book titled “Drama” by Raina Telgemeier, which inspired her to work backstage.
“It just seemed like such a cool experience to work behind the scenes,” Robles, who is currently managing the play “Murders in the Heir,” said.
As stage manager it can be quite the balance between that and many other things a student has to juggle, but in those moments where things get too overwhelming, Robles can always rely on her mother.
“She’s always been there for me and always helps me navigate my demanding schedule,” Robles said.
In Robles’ junior year, the drama team earned first place at districts as part of a VHSL competition, moving on to the regional competition with Robles as stage manager. To her it was a very rewarding experience.
“I was honored to be a part of our history,” Robles said. It was the first time the County theater won districts in roughly 10 years.
Robles says her favorite show she managed was “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
“I loved it because all of my friends were involved and it was a show that included a lot of audience participation,” Robles said. “I thought it was a great way to end my first year of high school and I always think back to it when asked about happy memories.”
While she has considered tech theater as a possible major in college, it is not her number one choice as she plans to study nursing at James Madison University. Despite that, she still plans on being involved with drama in some way.
In the end, the best and most important part to Robles is seeing everything come together on stage, after months of rehearsing, building sets, and so much more that could lead to her feeling discouraged. It always comes through in the end.
“Releasing the breath we didn’t even know we were holding after seeing it work out smoothly on stage and in front of the audience is always so worth it,” Robles said.
