The fine arts are recognized as a reflection of our world. Much of the best art is made by artists who wish to critique, change or celebrate our world. The fine arts, specifically theatre, are intentional. The plays chosen. The time produced. The actors cast. Every design is a choice. What projects I choose to work on are also intentional. These are all intentional because each element of a production works together to tell a story to the audience, expressing a theme or message, which can vary with each performance. We do a lot of performances at my high school, HSPVA, but we only do two All-School Musicals each year. The anticipation for the reveal of these musicals is insane. The school wants to provide a learning experience, spread joy, and make ticket sales, but more importantly, the student body wants our art to matter. When they announced the 2023-2024 Musicals at the end of last year, no one had heard of them. The Prom and After Midnight. One is a new musical, and the other is a less well-known jukebox. Regardless, the first thing most of us did was find out what message we were telling. Art conveys a lot, it can normalize foreign ideas and create connections between people with completely different experiences. Recently, more and more queer media is coming out and normalizing queer kids and relationships. The Prom is a story of growth and overcoming bias infused with a lesbian love story. When our teachers were asked why it was chosen this year, they said, because it might be the last year we can do it, given the political climate. That all being said, it is also a silly, fun musical with big dance numbers, lots of sparkles, and pretty prom dresses. And like much fine arts provides both capitalistic entertainment and heart-melting catharsis. Art on a basic level offers fulfillment. It allows both the artist and the spectator to express themselves and explore and engage with others. Fine arts serve as both a critique and a love letter to our world. I am a sound engineer and I wish to make theatre a welcoming space for everyone. I intentionally attempt to color-match mic elements and cables to the performer’s skin-tone. I intentionally call “sound” when expecting feedback to warn those who might be sensitive to loud noises. I intentionally ask permission to put mics on actors, whether that be attaching it to a bra, or a waistband, or moving their baby hairs out of the way for tape. Good theatre is intentional. Making theatre a welcoming, inclusive, space is intentional. Uplifting and empowering individuals and communities through theatre, that is intentional, too. Every choice we designers and technicians make tells a story and spreads a message, and we have to intentionally make choices that promote what we wish to see in the world. Link to work: https://sites.google.com/view/rosalindakjoachim?usp=sharing

A man alone on a stage watching an angel fly away is what captures my focus while audio engineering a touring Cirque du Soleil show in Mexico, grinning all the while.