Behind the scenes look at Neumann Crew during Christmas with Wartburg. Photo courtesy of the Christmas with Wartburg Facebook page.
As the annual Christmas with Wartburg weekend ends, students on Neumann Crew are celebrating another successful season. Christmas with Wartburg, one of the most anticipated music performances of the year, requires all hands on deck, including those backstage. Beginning in early November, the Neumann Crew members work to ensure smooth sailing for the performances.
James Mossman, director of production operations, shares that Neumann Crew is a vital part of Christmas with Wartburg.
After graduating from Wartburg in 2023 and working with Neumann Crew throughout his time as a student at Wartburg, Mossman has spent the last three years seeing a different perspective of Christmas with Wartburg.
“It’s how the show gets made. Musicians bring their talent and their hard work, but past the faces, once you see the lights and the trees, all of that is done by the work of Neumann employees,” Mossman says.
As a student, Mossman’s favorite part of Christmas with Wartburg was his ability to see the work that went into the show from the perspective of a Neumann Crew member as well as a musician. After graduating and returning as the director of production operations, his favorite part now is being able to share the love with his students.
“Trying to pass down that care to the students I guide now,” Mossman says. “It’s been continuously fulfilling to see the people in the positions that I was and trying to give them the experience that I had when I was a student, and how fulfilled I felt.”
McCain Myers, second-year sound operator and management for Neumann Crew, shares that the lead up to Christmas with Wartburg allows for crew members to bond and grow as employees.
“It can be incredible or detrimental at some points,” Myers says. “All the freshmen this year are doing a phenomenal job and getting it right from the time before, but it’s definitely a make-or-break situation once shows come around if they can flow like that still.”
As part of the preparation for Christmas with Wartburg, Neumann Crew members are responsible for a variety of tasks to get the auditorium, performers and crew members ready for each show.
“There’s a lot you don’t see,” Myers says. “We decorate the whole lobby and the show.”
With the hard work that comes with the lead up and weekend filled with performances, comes a great pleasure at the end for Myers and the rest of Neumann Crew.
“After the show, he’ll [Dr. Lee Nelson] really just take the time to thank you. Not just a walk past the booth,” Myers says. “Dr. Nederhiser, Dr. Black, they all take time to thank you as well. You’ll get a few people from the choir that will come up and thank you too. It’s just a feeling of satisfaction to know that you aren’t overlooked in the situation.”
“At the end, everyone just comes together and understands that this was a huge part of the show.”
– McCain Myers
Following the four Christmas with Wartburg performances, one of which was held at the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, Neumann Crew looks ahead to upcoming events for the year including music performances, plays and all events held in Neumann Auditorium or the McCaskey Lyceum.
For updates on Neumann Auditorium and information on upcoming events, check out the Neumann Auditorium Facebook page.
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