Avery Bookie has dedicated the last few years of her life to theater, starting in fourth grade by participating in community theater. It worked out well for her, as she became the student director for her senior year production, Shrek the Musical. The first musical she was a part of was her sixth grade year, being The Little Mermaid Jr. In middle school she dreamt of being a stage manager, but was interrupted by COVID her eighth grade year. By her junior year she was finally able to achieve that goal, being a stage manager and flight crew manager as well.

As a student director, her responsibilities before the show include gathering audition forms, organizing crew, and making lots of spreadsheets. Once things started to get going, she was found at every single rehearsal, making notes of any and all scene changes and transitions the crew needed to be aware of. When it was time to perform, she lived up in the booth calling cues for the backstage crew so the show could run smoothly.

She mentioned how being a part of musicals has brought her lots of fun. Bookie said she likes how it brings her closer not only to the crew that she manages, but also to the cast she gets to interact with. Previously, when she was the stage manager, she had a hard time being able to interact with the cast. Her time didn’t start until the musical was already nearly over, and so it wasn’t as easy for her to meet them. But, as a student director, she had to be at every rehearsal so she got to connect with more people.

Being the student director wasn't always a free ride, however. “Being the student director also means taking on a lot of new and more meaningful responsibilities,” said Bookie. She shared how there were lots of ups and downs, but was glad to have a reliable team behind her. She worked with the other directors – Karen Ambs, Deborah Andre, and Todd Avery – to make the process as smooth as possible.

In the next upcoming years, her plan is to continue with stage management and theater production and design. She’s not yet sure where she’s going to college, but she does plan to go. Theater isn’t the only thing she plans to continue, either. “Outside of theater I plan on continuing my musical career in voice by joining a college choir,” said Bookie.