There is a distinct shift in the air at the State Theatre in Easton when Freddy Awards tech week officially kicks off. The marquee is lit, the energy is building, and Monday night brings a very specific, focused kind of magic to the stage.

Tonight, the theater isn’t packed with cheering fans or school sections chanting their rallying cries just yet. Instead, it belongs to the soloists and the hardworking members of the opening and closing numbers.

The Art of the Polish

Monday is all about precision. The soloists return to the stage to fine-tune their performances, adjusting to the massive scale of the State Theatre lines and getting a feel for the space. Watching them command that stage completely on their own is always a reminder of the immense talent anchoring this entire event.

Alongside them, the massive ensembles for the opening and closing numbers are busy polishing their routines. Without the costumes, the orchestra, or the television cameras rolling yet, you get to see the raw dedication that goes into this show. It’s a night of counting steps, adjusting formations, and finding that perfect synchronicity.

Capturing the Focus

As a photographer, I love the quiet intensity of Monday night. The lighting is being dialed in, the kids are in casual clothes or rehearsal gear, and you can capture genuine moments of concentration, backstage encouragement, and the sheer grit it takes to put on a broadcast-level production.

While I’m gearing up to capture all of this week’s incredible moments, the archives are fully open! Parents, cast members, and theater fans can relive the magic of past ceremonies right now.

Head over to the Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Gallery to view and purchase images from previous years, and make sure to bookmark the page so you’re ready when the 2026 galleries start to drop!