An hour before the doors opened at Cramton Auditorium, the show was already beginning backstage. Teron Jones, a senior strategic communications major from Baltimore was juggling the moving parts of his showcase.
Members of Howard University Models Inc. moved between rehearsals and dressing rooms as the audience began lining up outside. The media prepared to enter, guests arriving and performers working to get into position. In the middle of it all, Jones, the president and founder of the organization, had to keep track of it all while preparing for their first showcase.
“Everything has to be to a T,” Jones said.
Jones has worked with the auditorium on several productions since last school year. He said the experience has given him a better understanding of the work required to produce an event on a professional scale.
“I think it’s very important to take note of all the tech rehearsals, all the late nights, all the costuming, all the placement — everything that goes on the stage,” Jones said.
But even with rehearsals underway, Jones knew the production could not be controlled down to the last detail. He said a creative idea for him might look one way on paper but require adjustments to fit limitations of the auditorium including stage size and lighting capabilities.
“When you have a creative idea, it’s easy to say, I want this big grand thing,” Jones said. “But then at some point in time, you have to be realistic about what is actually achievable with your space and your people, as well as with Cramton.”
The problem-solving goes beyond the person producing the show.
“You always have to have a plan A, B, C, D, E,” Jones said. “All of them have different plans, so that way, if something doesn’t go one way, you have to be adjustable and flexible and be able to be quick on your feet.”
That flexibility becomes especially important in the final hour before a production begins. For Jones’ showcase, multiple tasks were happening simultaneously. The media needed to enter and prepare for interviews, guests were arriving and members were getting dressed.
Kira Fraser, a sophomore television and film major from Minneapolis, said she recognized the importance of adaptability while competing in the Miss Freshman 2025 pageant when contestants learned they would be using walking microphones instead of standing microphones.
“We had done all of our practices standing in one place because of what we were told,” Fraser said. “We had to pivot during rehearsals and learn how to adjust our routines to walk and talk and present with moving mics.”
As the start of the pageant approached, Fraser and the other contestants waited for their cues while coordinators and technical staff prepared them to go onstage.
“We were all looking at the staff, waiting for the [staff member] to tell us when it was time to go,” Fraser said. “It was just the craziest time. We were all breathing and trying to shake it off before getting the green light to go.”
But the moment just before she stepped onstage stayed with Fraser the most. She recalls hearing the crowd moving, and seeing the stage and all of its colors.
“Now when I watch shows and productions, I know if there’s any delay, I know that if anything goes sideways, there’s always a reason and there’s a lot going on backstage,” Fraser said. “You have the talent running around, trying to make sure that lighting and music sync up and everything makes sense.”
For the audience, much of that work happens outside their view.
Emiah Njoku, a sophomore TV and film production major from Chesterfield, Michigan said last year’s Homecoming fashion show stood out to her for the way its three acts used multimedia to explore themes surrounding the militarization of D.C.
“The multimedia aspects were very moving to watch,” Njoku said.
Njoku also remembered the Class of 2027 dance showcase as another Cramton production that resonated with her.
For Jones, the work continues after the audience leaves. He said organizers have a responsibility to respect the auditorium.
“When you’re using someone else’s house, it’s important to respect it,” Jones said. “Make sure everything is clean, everything is put up, everything is together and leave a warm experience for the staff and the members.”
Copy edited by Jori Johnson
