Simone Thiry

Simone Thiry is a living, breathing example of full participation in the performing arts, from bassoon playing to theater production work — she has been the backbone of practically every show in the Berkeley High Little Theater over the past four years. Simone was drawn to BHS theater during her freshman year. She recalls, "Freshman year I was a little intimidated by BHS and didn't really know where I would fit in, so I joined lots of clubs (Model UN, GSA, Youth Together etc...). I first became involved in tech when the then–GSA president Ari Cortesi approached me and asked me if I was organized and if I would be interested in stage management. Ten Little Indians was my first show, and after that I was hooked. When I joined the crew I was really quiet, but as a stage manager being quiet really isn’t an option."

As a stage manager, Simone is the glue of a production. She serves as the go–between between the director, the actors, the administrative restrictions such as a faculty advisor, and the tech crew. She often juggles the demands and requests of everyone involved in a show at once. Stage management requires heightened leadership skills, organization ability, and an incredible level of dedication and time commitment. Simone has also branched out of stage management into other areas of theater work, such as light designing.

Reflecting back on the highlights of her tech work, Simone explained “Because most of what I do is very behind the scenes, the best moments are usually things that other people wouldn’t really notice, like calling a cue in exactly the perfect spot. The long hours, especially with school and whatever else was going on in my life made it pretty stressful. During tech weeks everyone pretty much wants to kill everyone else, but it’s worth it in the end.”

Simone has also played a large part in the BHS Orchestra. “I started playing bassoon when I was a sophomore because our bassoon player had graduated in ‘07.” Simone had previously studied clarinet, making it hard to switch to an entirely new instrument. She explains “It was really difficult at first to learn a new instrument in a new clef. Playing the bassoon is so different from playing the clarinet. But everyone in band and orchestra was really, really supportive, and I eventually got the hang of it.” Simone’s outstanding contributions to BHS Orchestra has earned her an award named after her. Simone explained “My greatest achievement would probably be getting a band award named after me, ‘The Simone Thiry Service Award’ which will be given to students who provide exemplary service in the future.”

Next year, Simone will be attending the University of Maine Farmington (UMF). She described it as “...The small liberal arts college of the University of Maine system... I really wanted the community and individual attention of a smaller school ... UMF has programs in theater and music that I can continue extracurricularly while I pursue my intended major, education.”
Simone’s patient, compassionate disposition and her incredible participation in BHS theater will be gravely missed. Even though she is leaving BHS, she has left a lasting impression. Upon leaving, her final impression of BHS is “Berkeley High has really given me the opportunity to try new and exciting things and helped me pursue whatever it was that I wanted.”

Photos:

• Simone Thiry