STEP VA Crew Profile – Gabriel Rodriguez-Vargo and Joshua Ward
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
by Brigid O'Leary
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA—It will take a team to turn Courtland High School into a swamp in April, as STEP VA Inc., the local 501(c)3 nonprofit that “empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration” hosts its sixth Spring Musical Experience next month, bringing “Shrek the Musical JR.” to the stage. Two of the team members making it happen are Gabriel Rodriguez-Vargo and Joshua Ward.
The Spring Musical Experience is Rodriguez-Vargo's first foray into the world of musical theater, and he signed up to work backstage because he “wanted to try something new.” Prior to the start of tech classes, he was looking forward to “being part of something and helping others,” both aspects of which are the essence of being on the tech crew, which is building sets and props, helping create costume pieces, and otherwise setting every scene in their entirety for the show.
With less than a month to go, the tech experience is shaping up to be more or less what Rodriguez-Vargo had hoped. He reports enjoying the opportunity to work with his classmates and building stuff.
“I have enjoyed meeting new people,” he said.
When asked what element of the tech crew experience he's most excited to see on stage, he offered, “The tree because it is going to be cool. I'm excited to see it in the play. I really enjoyed painting it. I haven't really painted anything like that before this so this was fun,”
The tech crew meets on Monday for building projects but has been on site for Thursday rehearsals as well, giving them the chance to watch the cast come together as the actors learn the story, songs, and dances. It's a chance for them to see what they're supporting and integrate them into the greater Spring Musical Experience team. Rodriguez-Vargo has reported enjoying all of the scenes he's seen so far. The question wasn't hard for Ward, who very easily proclaimed the character of Shrek to be his favorite.
A returning member of the tech crew, Ward came back this year because of the positive experience he had last year.
“I enjoy working behind the scenes building things, working the curtains and lighting,” he explained, adding that going into the season he was looking forward to “building things and working back stage.”
And now that things are under way, he's been busy doing all those things. It's unsurprising, then, that when queried about his favorite tech session, he responded that “I really enjoy working on the set props. I like working with wood and using the power drill and other tools.”
His favorite set piece is Fiona's castle, which is the item he's most excited to see on stage.
You, too, can see the tree and castle—along with everything else the tech crew has worked hard to create for their friends on the cast—at Shrek The Musical JR, at Courtland High School on April 18 (6pm) and 19 (3 pm).
Tickets on sale now at www.stepva.org.
