Senior Kristen Fikse shares her experiences as a stage manager for Whitefield Academy's theater productions. Kristen is the 2015 recipient of the Canada Award, which honors students and volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to Whitefield's theater department.
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Kristen prepares dry ice for an upcoming scene.
Can you describe a bit about your experience in Whitefield’s theater program?
The last four years have honestly been wonderful. People have heard me mention this before, but the theater department at Whitefield Academy is like a family to me, a theater family. The theater has been my second home for the past few years, and I know most of the seniors can attest to this. I’ve spent a countless number of nights and hours at rehearsals with some of the most genuine and hard-working people I know. I found my role backstage early freshman year and ever since then I’ve stage managed each and every production that the Whitefield Dramatic Society has ever put on. The theater brings me joy and I love sharing that joy with the Whitefield community through stage managing.
How did you come to have the role of Stage Manager at Whitefield?
So I never really was involved in theater as a Lower School student. I auditioned, but I never got cast into a main role. My first real appearance was in Acorns to Oaks; I was a tin man scarecrow. I was a tin man scarecrow because they needed someone to spray WD-40 out of the back of a wooden contraption and then jump out onstage for five seconds. It was my debut into the theater world, but I never really thought about theater until two years later.
I did not get really involved in theater until seventh grade. I had the opportunity to audition for Peter Pan, put on by the Theatre Project, at the Mable House Arts Center. That was a completely life-changing experience for me. Since then I’ve participated in seven or so productions with the Theatre Project at the Mable House (with a few villainous roles in the mix, like Mrs. Meers, Ursula, and Ms. Darbus). But what I really learned from being at the Mable House was backstage. In my subconscious, I was actually watching the stage manager there. And I didn’t realize this subconscious action until first semester of my freshman year at Whitefield.
I walked into freshman year a bit timid, like all freshman do, not knowing what this “high school” experience was all about. I was loaded with all the honors courses I could take. On top of that, my art class, orchestra, had not fit into my schedule. So instead of continuing to play violin my freshman year, I was put into drama class. Little did I know what a God thing this one change would be.
I walked into drama class very, very, timidly that first day. Most people know I’m not a crazy confident student or a major extrovert. So theater was a bit interesting for me. I really wanted a role onstage in the one act play as a freshman because I thought it would be a lot of fun. I thought I could “make it” onstage like I did at the Mable House. I figured, since I already had about four shows under my belt from the Mable House, I was good to go.
We went through the audition process and I was pretty hopeful. But when the cast list came out, I wasn’t on it. It was kind of a blow to my wavering confidence I had built up from being in productions at the Mable House. However, the next day in class, Ms. Marsh mentioned since we really don’t have a technical production team that we would all have to take part in some behind the scenes work to make that show happen. I was assigned to the props group. I’m creative so I loved making and finding props for the play, but I finished that quickly. We had a few weeks before the show and I had finished my job already, so I looked to the places where the show needed more help and I saw that nobody was working on the scene changes or taking charge to run the tech aspect of the show. Since I had seen my amazing stage manager
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Kristen enjoying the Georgia Thespian Conference
complete this process a few times at the Mable House, I knew what to do. I just took over.
So ever since that first production I’ve assumed the role of stage manager for the Whitefield Dramatic Society. Have I thought about being onstage or auditioning? Yes, but I had the program at the Mable House to be onstage and I saw the need at Whitefield for a technical team. The last four years have taught me so much about who I am, how to serve, and about theater. I wouldn’t trade my last four years in the theater at Whitefield for anything.
What do you actually do as a stage manager?
Stage managers do not just have one universal set list of things they do. In the Whitefield Dramatic Society, the big role of the stage manager is to make sure the show runs as smoothly as possible. This includes scene changes, making props, painting and/orbuilding sets, assigning crew members to certain positions in the scene changes, and sometimes cueing the light or sound operators. I don’t only have a physical role of moving giant set pieces around because a theatrical production isn’t just compromised of set pieces onstage. It’s also compromised of actors. So what’s even more important to the stage manager is the well-being of the actors in a production. Something I remember significantly from the Thespian Conference this year is what the stage manager of the first national tour of Wicked told us. He said, “Guys, this is a people business. That’s why this job never gets boring because you’re dealing with different individuals each show. But because of that, you’ve got to be able to understand people on the deepest level. Stage managing is 25% production and 75% people.” So that’s a little synopsis of what a stage manager at Whitefield does. We not only manage logistics, we also manage and care deeply for the people who make the production into an amazing story.
What has it meant to you to be the president of the Thespian Society?
It has been an honor to be the president of the Thespian Society this year. I have had the chance to organize a theater workshop for young students at Whitefield. I wanted to do this because I think it’s important to spread the joy of theater to young students. It gives them a chance to be themselves and express who they are in a whole new way. Someone shared the joy of theater with me at a young age and I wanted to return the favor. I also had the chance to attend the Georgia Thespian Conference with our thespian troupe at Whitefield for the first time this year. That was an amazing experience!
This year was Whitefield’s first time attending the Georgia Thespian Conference. How was that experience?
Like I said above, that was one of the highlights of my year. Not only were we able to attend a bunch of workshops, but we had the opportunity to perform our play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the conference. That was a huge honor. They picked our play out of over 100 productions! I also had the opportunity to meet the stage manager of the first national tour of Wicked. I attended two of his workshops and that really inspired me to possibly consider theater in college as an option. Overall, the thespian Conference was a wonderful and exciting experience!
How has it impacted your theater experience that both of your siblings get involved?
My sister, Megan, has been in most of the Mable House productions with me. Then I dragged her into Whitefield’s theater program to do some creative work like painting signs and set pieces. She’s been a huge support and help throughout these past four years. Then I persuaded my brother to join the tech crew his junior year. He is awesome at tech and lighting, so it was great to work with him. Theater at Whitefield is truly a family affair!
How has Ms. Marsh impacted you in high school?
Ms. Marsh has been one of the most influential people in my life. She’s more than a teacher to me. She’s a mentor. Ever since freshman year I’ve either had a class with her or an independent study with her (until this year ?). We have had long chats about both the little things and the big things in life. I really didn’t know during my freshman year how much of an impact Ms. Marsh would have on my life and my worldview. Now I know.
She has shown me what hard work and commitment is. She also has shown me how to have joy in the good times and bad. She’s passionate about what she does and this passion sprinkles off onto the theater students. She loves her job, and she cares deeply about each and every one of us.
In the last four years I have watched her transform the theater department at Whitefield Academy. It’s truly been a work of art. She’s brought the theater department to the next level. This year alone we won the GHSA One-Act Region Competition. We brought that production to the state level competition. Then when we thought we were finally done with that show, the Thespian Conference called us to ask if we could perform it at the Georgia Thespian Conference in front of hundreds of thespians from across the state of Georgia. On top of that, we brought together a fantastic production of The Wiz.
All of that only speaks to Ms. Marsh's extreme talent. But after four years of getting to know Ms. Marsh I know that she not only has so many talents and skills, but that she is a godly woman, who strives after the Lord in everything she does. Her Christ-like character is something I want to strive for as I go into college and life.
What was your favorite moment in Whitefield theater
In all the musicals that I’ve stage managed at Whitefield my favorite moment in every one is when I get a chance to glance out onstage and watch the brilliant students from the Whitefield Dramatic Society do what they love to do. I have a very different perspective than the perspective of the audience. It’s awesome to be backstage and interact with the crew and the actors. We’re a real community back there in black. I also love to hear the audience react differently to a song or a funny moment. It’s rewarding to know that I
![]()
Kristen with her brother, Jake Fikse
contributed to make that happen by being in the background to smooth things out, so that the audience is focused on the actors and the story that is being told.
Any advice to underclassmen seeking out theater?
Go for it. Truly dive in. If you don’t get cast or you get the smallest role ever, make the most of it. You’re only as good as the work you put in. Don’t give up either. The Whitefield Dramatic Society is one of the best groups to be a part of at Whitefield (maybe I’m speaking a little subjectively, but it’s true!). So if you want to work on crew for the next four years, work on crew. If you want to be onstage in the ensemble dancing in every number, practice and practice. If you want to major in theater, go for it. You’ll reach hard times. You’ll get tired and want to quit sometimes. You’ll have high points and you’ll have low points, but persevere through all these things. These trials are what mold you. You’re hearing it from someone who got rejected multiple times in the theater world. Don’t give up because you’ll miss the opportunity of a lifetime.
Kristen prepares dry ice for an upcoming scene.Can you describe a bit about your experience in Whitefield’s theater program?
The last four years have honestly been wonderful. People have heard me mention this before, but the theater department at Whitefield Academy is like a family to me, a theater family. The theater has been my second home for the past few years, and I know most of the seniors can attest to this. I’ve spent a countless number of nights and hours at rehearsals with some of the most genuine and hard-working people I know. I found my role backstage early freshman year and ever since then I’ve stage managed each and every production that the Whitefield Dramatic Society has ever put on. The theater brings me joy and I love sharing that joy with the Whitefield community through stage managing.
How did you come to have the role of Stage Manager at Whitefield?
So I never really was involved in theater as a Lower School student. I auditioned, but I never got cast into a main role. My first real appearance was in Acorns to Oaks; I was a tin man scarecrow. I was a tin man scarecrow because they needed someone to spray WD-40 out of the back of a wooden contraption and then jump out onstage for five seconds. It was my debut into the theater world, but I never really thought about theater until two years later.
I did not get really involved in theater until seventh grade. I had the opportunity to audition for Peter Pan, put on by the Theatre Project, at the Mable House Arts Center. That was a completely life-changing experience for me. Since then I’ve participated in seven or so productions with the Theatre Project at the Mable House (with a few villainous roles in the mix, like Mrs. Meers, Ursula, and Ms. Darbus). But what I really learned from being at the Mable House was backstage. In my subconscious, I was actually watching the stage manager there. And I didn’t realize this subconscious action until first semester of my freshman year at Whitefield.
I walked into freshman year a bit timid, like all freshman do, not knowing what this “high school” experience was all about. I was loaded with all the honors courses I could take. On top of that, my art class, orchestra, had not fit into my schedule. So instead of continuing to play violin my freshman year, I was put into drama class. Little did I know what a God thing this one change would be.
I walked into drama class very, very, timidly that first day. Most people know I’m not a crazy confident student or a major extrovert. So theater was a bit interesting for me. I really wanted a role onstage in the one act play as a freshman because I thought it would be a lot of fun. I thought I could “make it” onstage like I did at the Mable House. I figured, since I already had about four shows under my belt from the Mable House, I was good to go.
We went through the audition process and I was pretty hopeful. But when the cast list came out, I wasn’t on it. It was kind of a blow to my wavering confidence I had built up from being in productions at the Mable House. However, the next day in class, Ms. Marsh mentioned since we really don’t have a technical production team that we would all have to take part in some behind the scenes work to make that show happen. I was assigned to the props group. I’m creative so I loved making and finding props for the play, but I finished that quickly. We had a few weeks before the show and I had finished my job already, so I looked to the places where the show needed more help and I saw that nobody was working on the scene changes or taking charge to run the tech aspect of the show. Since I had seen my amazing stage manager
Kristen enjoying the Georgia Thespian Conference complete this process a few times at the Mable House, I knew what to do. I just took over.
So ever since that first production I’ve assumed the role of stage manager for the Whitefield Dramatic Society. Have I thought about being onstage or auditioning? Yes, but I had the program at the Mable House to be onstage and I saw the need at Whitefield for a technical team. The last four years have taught me so much about who I am, how to serve, and about theater. I wouldn’t trade my last four years in the theater at Whitefield for anything.
What do you actually do as a stage manager?
Stage managers do not just have one universal set list of things they do. In the Whitefield Dramatic Society, the big role of the stage manager is to make sure the show runs as smoothly as possible. This includes scene changes, making props, painting and/orbuilding sets, assigning crew members to certain positions in the scene changes, and sometimes cueing the light or sound operators. I don’t only have a physical role of moving giant set pieces around because a theatrical production isn’t just compromised of set pieces onstage. It’s also compromised of actors. So what’s even more important to the stage manager is the well-being of the actors in a production. Something I remember significantly from the Thespian Conference this year is what the stage manager of the first national tour of Wicked told us. He said, “Guys, this is a people business. That’s why this job never gets boring because you’re dealing with different individuals each show. But because of that, you’ve got to be able to understand people on the deepest level. Stage managing is 25% production and 75% people.” So that’s a little synopsis of what a stage manager at Whitefield does. We not only manage logistics, we also manage and care deeply for the people who make the production into an amazing story.
What has it meant to you to be the president of the Thespian Society?
It has been an honor to be the president of the Thespian Society this year. I have had the chance to organize a theater workshop for young students at Whitefield. I wanted to do this because I think it’s important to spread the joy of theater to young students. It gives them a chance to be themselves and express who they are in a whole new way. Someone shared the joy of theater with me at a young age and I wanted to return the favor. I also had the chance to attend the Georgia Thespian Conference with our thespian troupe at Whitefield for the first time this year. That was an amazing experience!
This year was Whitefield’s first time attending the Georgia Thespian Conference. How was that experience?
Like I said above, that was one of the highlights of my year. Not only were we able to attend a bunch of workshops, but we had the opportunity to perform our play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the conference. That was a huge honor. They picked our play out of over 100 productions! I also had the opportunity to meet the stage manager of the first national tour of Wicked. I attended two of his workshops and that really inspired me to possibly consider theater in college as an option. Overall, the thespian Conference was a wonderful and exciting experience!
How has it impacted your theater experience that both of your siblings get involved?
My sister, Megan, has been in most of the Mable House productions with me. Then I dragged her into Whitefield’s theater program to do some creative work like painting signs and set pieces. She’s been a huge support and help throughout these past four years. Then I persuaded my brother to join the tech crew his junior year. He is awesome at tech and lighting, so it was great to work with him. Theater at Whitefield is truly a family affair!
How has Ms. Marsh impacted you in high school?
Ms. Marsh has been one of the most influential people in my life. She’s more than a teacher to me. She’s a mentor. Ever since freshman year I’ve either had a class with her or an independent study with her (until this year ?). We have had long chats about both the little things and the big things in life. I really didn’t know during my freshman year how much of an impact Ms. Marsh would have on my life and my worldview. Now I know.
She has shown me what hard work and commitment is. She also has shown me how to have joy in the good times and bad. She’s passionate about what she does and this passion sprinkles off onto the theater students. She loves her job, and she cares deeply about each and every one of us.
In the last four years I have watched her transform the theater department at Whitefield Academy. It’s truly been a work of art. She’s brought the theater department to the next level. This year alone we won the GHSA One-Act Region Competition. We brought that production to the state level competition. Then when we thought we were finally done with that show, the Thespian Conference called us to ask if we could perform it at the Georgia Thespian Conference in front of hundreds of thespians from across the state of Georgia. On top of that, we brought together a fantastic production of The Wiz.
All of that only speaks to Ms. Marsh's extreme talent. But after four years of getting to know Ms. Marsh I know that she not only has so many talents and skills, but that she is a godly woman, who strives after the Lord in everything she does. Her Christ-like character is something I want to strive for as I go into college and life.
What was your favorite moment in Whitefield theater
In all the musicals that I’ve stage managed at Whitefield my favorite moment in every one is when I get a chance to glance out onstage and watch the brilliant students from the Whitefield Dramatic Society do what they love to do. I have a very different perspective than the perspective of the audience. It’s awesome to be backstage and interact with the crew and the actors. We’re a real community back there in black. I also love to hear the audience react differently to a song or a funny moment. It’s rewarding to know that I
Kristen with her brother, Jake Fiksecontributed to make that happen by being in the background to smooth things out, so that the audience is focused on the actors and the story that is being told.
Any advice to underclassmen seeking out theater?
Go for it. Truly dive in. If you don’t get cast or you get the smallest role ever, make the most of it. You’re only as good as the work you put in. Don’t give up either. The Whitefield Dramatic Society is one of the best groups to be a part of at Whitefield (maybe I’m speaking a little subjectively, but it’s true!). So if you want to work on crew for the next four years, work on crew. If you want to be onstage in the ensemble dancing in every number, practice and practice. If you want to major in theater, go for it. You’ll reach hard times. You’ll get tired and want to quit sometimes. You’ll have high points and you’ll have low points, but persevere through all these things. These trials are what mold you. You’re hearing it from someone who got rejected multiple times in the theater world. Don’t give up because you’ll miss the opportunity of a lifetime.