Tag Archives: behind the scenes

Tech Week Day 3: Where the Magic Happens—Dress Rehearsal & TV Prep

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If you ask anyone involved in the Freddy Awards which day is the most pivotal, you might hear “Thursday.” But if you ask me the Freddy Awards photographer, the answer is always Wednesday.

Wednesday is where the magic truly happens. It is the bridge between the raw rehearsals of early tech week and the high-octane live broadcast of the awards ceremony. It is the day the State Theatre transforms into a full-scale television studio, and for me, it is the most rewarding day of the year to be behind the lens.

The Professional Shift: TV Prep

Walking into the theater on Wednesday evening feels different. The WFMZ-TV crew is all set up, their cameras positioned, and the production team is in “watching and learning” mode. They are mapping out every camera angle and every lighting cue, following a nearly identical tech rehearsal of the entire three-hour show. Watching the synergy between the theatrical performers and the television professionals is a masterclass in production.

The Visual Explosion: Full Costumes

This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. Wednesday is the first time all the actors, soloists, and ensembles are in full costume performing together on the State Theatre stage.

The transition from rehearsal hoodies and sneakers to vibrant, theatrical costumes is an explosion of color and character. It changes the way the students carry themselves—they aren’t just rehearsing anymore; they are the characters.

Why It’s My Favorite Day

As a photographer, Wednesday is my “gold mine” day. Because it is a dress rehearsal and not a live broadcast with a seated audience, I have the flexibility to capture the best possible action shots without the constraints of a live crowd or the strict sightlines of the actual ceremony. I get to document the sweat, the smiles, the intricate details of the costumes, and the peak energy of the routines. This is where I capture the “hero shots” that end up being favorites for years to come.

Dress rehearsal photo of the 2025 Freddy Awards. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Dress rehearsal photo of the 2025 Freddy Awards. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

The countdown to the red carpet is almost over! If you’re a cast member or a parent, make sure you have the link ready to go. You can view all the magic from this week and our entire history of the Freddy Awards right here:

Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Gallery

Keep checking back—as soon as the magic from today is processed, it will be landing in the 2026 gallery!

Tech Week Begins: The Soloist On Stage with Tech & The Calm Before the Freddy’s Storm

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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!

Behind the Scenes: The 2026 Freddy Awards Journey Begins!

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The air was electric at the State Theatre of the Arts in Easton, PA, as we officially kicked off the 2026 Freddy Awards season. As I walked through the doors for the first rehearsal, it hit me—this marks my 14th year as the official photographer for this incredible program. Seeing the talent, the nerves, and the sheer excitement of these students never gets old.

Checking In and Catching Up

A candid look at the professional preparation required for the 2026 Freddy Awards. This image shows key production leaders and music directors collaborating over their scores at the State Theatre of the Arts in Easton, PA. These coordination moments ensure a seamless experience for the hundreds of high school students participating in the awards program. Professionally photographed by DAVE DABOUR Photography.
Three high school students wearing matching yellow "Big Fish" musical T-shirts stand at a table and sign in during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal at the State Theatre.
A high school theater student in a green "Little Shop of Horrors" T-shirt leans over a table to sign her name on a check-in sheet during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
A high school student in a pink "Legally Blonde" musical T-shirt looks down at her phone with a focused expression while standing in a hallway during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
High school theater students, including a young woman in a light blue shirt and a young man in a white t-shirt, lean over a table to sign their names on attendance sheets during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.

The day began with the “official” side of show business. Students from high schools across the region arrived to sign paperwork and register, but the real magic happened in the hallways. It was a morning of “meeting old friends”—watching students from rival schools greet each other like family, bonded by their shared love of the stage.

The Work Behind the Magic

A wide shot from the back of a rehearsal hall at the State Theatre of the Arts, showing Shelly Brown addressing a large group of high school students seated in rows on the carpet during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
Kori, the Freddy Awards coordinator, stands in a rehearsal room wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, gesturing with her hands while speaking to a group of high school students seated behind her.
A high school student named Gabby, wearing an orange "Saucon Valley High School Presents" T-shirt, holds a music score and sings with a focused expression during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
A high school student with glasses and a denim jacket holds a music score and sings with a focused expression during the 2026 Freddy Awards music rehearsal.
A high school student named Riley from Phillipsburg High School, wearing a light blue "Frozen" theater T-shirt, sings with a focused expression while holding a music score during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
A male music director with glasses and a beard wears a tan jacket over a black shirt, standing with both arms raised and fingers pointing upward to lead a vocal rehearsal for high school students.

Once the paperwork was settled, it was time to get to work. The first rehearsal is always an intensive dive into the production:

  • Learning the Music: Music directors led the ensemble through the vocal arrangements for this year’s opening and closing numbers. There is nothing quite like hearing those first harmonies ring out in the rehearsal hall.
  • Choreography in Motion: Freddy Awards choreographer Stacy Higgins wasted no time getting the students on their feet. Watching the transition from tentative steps to a synchronized ensemble is one of my favorite things to document.

Words of Inspiration

Shelly Brown, President and CEO of the State Theatre, wearing a striped blazer and smiling, stands next to a piano while addressing a group of high school students during the 2026 Freddy Awards rehearsal.
A wide shot from the back of a rehearsal hall at the State Theatre of the Arts, showing Shelly Brown addressing a large group of high school students seated in rows on the carpet during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.

We were honored to have State Theatre President and CEO Shelly Brown address the participants. Her passion for the arts and her dedication to these students set the perfect tone for the season ahead.

A Legacy of Performance

High school theater students in casual attire perform a synchronized dance routine with their arms raised in artistic poses during the first rehearsal for the 2026 Freddy Awards.
High school theater students in casual attire perform a synchronized dance routine with their arms raised in artistic poses during the first rehearsal for the 2026 Freddy Awards.
High school theater students in casual attire perform a synchronized dance routine with their arms raised in artistic poses during the first rehearsal for the 2026 Freddy Awards.
A male choreographer with a beard, wearing a grey zip-up jacket, stands in a rehearsal hall holding a black folder while gesturing with one arm raised during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
A professional director or conductor stands at a podium in a theater, pointing toward a group of students in the audience during the first rehearsal for the 2026 Freddy Awards.
Stacy Higgins, the Freddy Awards choreographer, stands in front of a piano holding a notebook and gesturing while directing a group of students during a music rehearsal.
A high school student in a black T-shirt holds a music score and practices singing with a focused expression during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
First rehearsal for the 2026 Freddy Awards on May 7, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A high school student in a white T-shirt with a "The Prom" logo holds a music binder and sings with a focused expression during the first Freddy Awards rehearsal.
First rehearsal for the 2026 Freddy Awards on May 7, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Documenting the Freddy Awards for over a decade has allowed me to see the profound impact this program has on our community. From the first signature at the check-in table to the final bow on the State Theatre stage, I am honored to capture every moment of this journey.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow the rehearsals leading up to the big night!

All my Freddy Awards images can be found here. They are available for viewing and purchase https://www.dabourphotography.com/Freddy-Awards

Sometimes It’s Good To Be Backed Up

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Today is World Backup Day, which feels like the perfect reminder for anyone who works with photos and video — especially full‑time professional photographers like me — that our work only truly exists when it’s protected.

When you’re trusted to capture once‑in‑a‑lifetime moments, school productions, ambassador sessions, or full theater runs, “hoping your hard drive holds up” isn’t a strategy. Files are fragile. Drives fail. Cards corrupt. Life happens.

That’s why professional photographers build backup systems that start the moment the shutter clicks. Multiple memory cards. Redundant drives. Cloud copies. Off‑site storage. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the difference between delivering and disappointing.

For the Banks family portrait I created for SPAC’s Mary Poppins Jr. production, the final image was printed, displayed, and woven into the show’s world. That’s not something you leave to chance. Backups ensure that the hours of research, styling, shooting, and editing are protected — and that the work can live on long after the curtain closes.

So on World Backup Day, consider this your friendly nudge:
If your memories matter, back them up. If your work matters, back it up twice.

Creating the Banks Family Portrait for SPAC’s Mary Poppins Jr. — Why Historical Accuracy Matters

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Stewartsville Performing Arts Club SPAC will be performing 'Mary Poppins Jr. Jan 16-17, 2026 at 7 pm and 2 pm

Stewartsville Performing Arts Club (SPAC) is bringing Mary Poppins Jr. to the stage this weekend, with performances on Friday, January 16 at 7 PM and Saturday, January 17 at 2 PM and 7 PM. As part of the production, I had the opportunity to create a special photo prop: the Banks family portrait that appears in the show.

At first glance, it might seem like a simple family photo. But for a story set in the early 1900s, authenticity matters — and that’s where experience in theater photography makes all the difference.

Honoring the Time Period

Family portraits in the early 20th century looked very different from what we’re used to today. Photography was formal, deliberate, and often reserved for special occasions. Smiling was uncommon, not because people were unhappy, but because long exposure times and cultural norms encouraged a more serious expression.

To create a believable prop for Mary Poppins Jr., I needed to match that historical style. That meant:

  • A black‑and‑white aesthetic
  • A formal, structured pose
  • Expressions that reflect the era
  • Lighting that mimics early studio portraiture

These details help the audience feel grounded in the world of the show the moment they see the portrait on stage.

Why Experience Matters in Theater Photography

An inexperienced photographer might simply gather the cast, say “smile,” and snap a quick picture. But theater photography requires intention. Every image — whether a promotional poster, a headshot, or a prop — becomes part of the storytelling.

My background in theater and performance photography allows me to approach these moments with the right blend of research, technical skill, and artistic sensitivity. The goal is always the same: support the production and help the audience step fully into the story.

A Sneak Peek at the Final Portrait

I’ll be including the finished Banks family portrait in this post so you can see how it all came together. It will also be on display above the fireplace during the performances this weekend.

Historical Banks family portrait prop for Stewartsville Performing Arts Club's production of Mary Poppins Jr.

See the Magic Live

SPAC’s Mary Poppins Jr. opens Friday, January 16 at 7 PM, with additional performances on Saturday the 17th at 2 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are available online or at the door.

I’m proud to contribute to this production and excited for audiences to experience the charm, nostalgia, and heart that make Mary Poppins Jr. such a beloved story.

A Quiet Moment That Spoke Volumes

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Earlier this week, I stopped by a local elementary school to meet someone about a sound system for an upcoming event. While waiting in the gym, I watched a group of young children enter for movement therapy. One little girl, Julia, quietly walked over, took my hand, and stood beside me. She didn’t speak — just held my hand and looked up with calm curiosity.

Sketch of a shy young girl with long wavy hair looking down, drawn in soft pencil style.
Julia stood quietly beside me, saying nothing — but her presence spoke volumes.

We walked together for a few minutes. She gently touched a speaker labeled “JBL,” and I told her what it was. She didn’t respond, but her presence was grounding. Eventually, a teacher came to take her back. Julia dropped my hand and walked away without a word.

It was a simple moment. But it reminded me how powerful quiet connection can be — no words, no agenda, just presence. In a world that often moves too fast, Julia reminded me to slow down, to listen without speaking, and to hold space for others.

As a photographer, I’m always chasing light, movement, and emotion. But sometimes, the most meaningful stories aren’t captured through a lens — they’re felt in the stillness between frames.

Let’s keep showing up for each other. Sometimes all it takes is a hand to hold and a moment to share.