Festival of Christmas: Behind the scenes
A look into Bethel University’s largest event of the Christmas season.
By Sara Dvorak | Reporter
Emily Lewis stands stage right in Benson Great Hall. She repeatedly tugs on the collar of her ‘E map retounen’ black t-shirt to cool off. She plucks her bangs off of her forehead that attached like Velcro to the sweat crawling down her face. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson bursts through the speakers and echoes through Benson causing Lewis to thrust her right arm into the air.
“Finally,” Lewis said. “We actually have a good playlist this year!”
This is a story about Emily Lewis and her loyal efforts to pull off the biggest annual event that Bethel University has.
Lewis mouths the lyrics to “This Feeling” by The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini as she lunges the gray rectangular stage extension labeled “#2” 30 feet from stage right to center stage. Lewis grunts as she stumbles over her footing causing her knees to skid across the ground. She takes a deep breath and continues shifting the equipment to the proper position. One down, five more pieces to go.
“You’d think I’d remember to work out all year in prep for this,” Lewis said.
“This is the work out,” Conference and Event Services AV technician Blake Burgstahler said. He puts on his tan heavy duty gloves to help Lewis.
“It’s time to launch the truss.” — Emily Lewis, senior
Volunteers trickle in throughout set-up — mostly music majors and musicians performing in Festival of Christmas. They are required to dedicate one hour of service to setting up for the event. Lewis knows she will commit substantially more hours than these volunteers; last year alone she worked 50 hours in one week to ensure Festival of Christmas was successful.
Students set up risers, staging, decorations, lighting and preparing programming. When 17 students arrive at set-up, Lewis instructs everyone to stop what they are doing.
“It’s time to launch the truss,” Lewis said.
The 17 students surround the beam while Lewis clips the two motors to the structure. The truss will soon hold the light fixtures that will illuminate Benson Great Hall.
Groans fill Benson as they hoist the truss into the air. As it launches off — all 34 hands stalk the framework like a parent following their firstborn toddler around while the child learns to walk.
The truss is secured into its place and a five second celebration erupts from the volunteers. After a fleeting moment of high-fives and words of affirmation the volunteers return to their stations.
Lewis stands stage right and monitors the team before heading backstage. Set-up has just begun.
