This week’s Farmer Focus is on junior Amuma Abaragu, theater’s stage manager and makeup and hairstylist for “Beauty and the Beast” who is looking forward to their upcoming projects for theater.

SNAPSHOTS

Best Netflix show: “Arcane”

If you were to create a debut album, what artists would you have as features: Rema

Fashion trend in 2024 that needs to go away: Clifford boots

Best time to binge watch shows: At night, preferably with a friend

Least favorite season: Summer 

ZOOMING IN 

Q: What is the hardest thing about being stage manager, and how are you able to handle it?

A: “The hardest thing is having to talk to everyone. I am not a social person. I try to be because it’s required to be social and charismatic. Having to go through and deal with conflict and solve issues, it feels like you’re torn into pieces. Through it all, I try to see the good in it, and at the end of the day, I still love being stage manager and connecting with others.”

Q: What motivates you to keep being stage manager, and how does it motivate you?

A: “What motivates me is finally seeing the fruits of your labor at the end of everything. When we first ran through the full play for the first time, I almost cried because we were finally getting somewhere. A lot of time when you’re stuck working toward something, it feels like nothing is happening. But once everything comes into place, I feel like everything we’re doing has purpose, and it’s finally paying off.”

Q: Tell me two favorite things you love to do as the makeup and hairstylist for “Beauty and the Beast.”

A: “Trying on stupid outfits is really fun. A lot of the costumes are very stiff and funny looking. They’re also puffy and big, which makes it funny to try them on.”

Q: What’s something you would like to change in theater as being stage manager?

A:  “It would definitely be the drama because people in theater are very dramatic. When everyone is in drama, it comes with others talking about each other, and there is a lot of mistrust. We are supposed to be a family in theater, but when everyone is fractured, it’s now 10 times harder to work together.”

Q: If you could give your sophomore self advice for theater, what would you say?

A: “I would say to give it your all always. I wasn’t technically in theater last year. I only went to the build days because I was just starting out, but I would definitely say invest more into theater because it is something I genuinely ended up really enjoying.”

Q: What song from “Beauty and The Beast” is the most beautiful and you can’t wait to see it performed? What do you like about that song?

A: “’Be Our Guest‘ because it’s the one everyone sings, all of my friends. I also can’t wait to see the actors perform it. It’s a beautiful song.”

Q: What are you excited to see in the future as being a stage manager in theater?

A: “I’m excited to see the actors and technicians grow as people throughout the year. Everyone’s  just starting out, and there’s still some things we need to polish up, and of course, it can be difficult. I know we’ll get there, and I just can’t wait to see them grow.”