Tag Archives: musical theatre

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!

30 Years Behind the Lens: Capturing the Magic of SKIT’s ‘Frozen’

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There is a unique kind of magic that happens when the house lights go down and the stage lights come up. For the past 30 years, I have had the distinct honor of serving as the official photographer for Show Kids Invitational Theatre (SKIT). From the very first production to this weekend’s upcoming performance, capturing the emotion, the movement, and the “big moments” of theater remains one of my greatest passions.

Last night, I had the pleasure of photographing the Charlotte Cast (one of two talented casts!) during their final rehearsals for Disney’s Frozen.

A Sneak Peek at Arendelle

The energy this cast brings to the stage is nothing short of “chilling”—in the best way possible. From the intricate costume details to the powerhouse vocal performances, this production is a visual masterpiece. As a photographer, my goal is always to freeze those fleeting moments of stagecraft so they can be remembered long after the final curtain call.

  • [Insert Gallery of 6–10 Images Here] *
The full Charlotte cast of SKIT’s Frozen stands together on stage in a diverse array of costumes, featuring lead characters like Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff in the front row during the curtain call or a major ensemble number.
An actor portraying Kristoff stands at the center of the stage surrounded by cast members dressed as hidden folk (trolls) in mossy, leaf-covered costumes during SKIT’s production of Frozen.
Elsa stands center stage in her sparkling blue ice gown with one hand extended, while Anna watches from the background in her traveling outfit during SKIT's production of Frozen.
Elsa stands with her arms outstretched in a triumphant pose on an ice-themed stage staircase, wearing her sparkling blue gown during the "Let It Go" finale.
Anna and Hans stand together on stage during SKIT's production of Frozen, with Anna looking upward joyfully while Hans looks toward her.
Elsa stands prominently on stage in her coronation gown and purple cape, surrounded by ensemble members in colorful ballroom dresses during SKIT's production of Frozen.
An actor in an Olaf costume stands with arms outstretched between Anna and Elsa, who are both kneeling and looking up at him during a stage performance of Frozen.
An actor performing as Oaken from SKIT’s production of Frozen gestures enthusiastically while wearing a traditional patterned Nordic sweater and hat.
Anna and Kristoff share a close, smiling interaction on stage while a character in the background looks on during SKIT’s production of Frozen.
Young Elsa and Anna in winter costumes lean against opposite sides of a closed door, portraying a poignant scene from SKIT’s production of Frozen.
Show pictures for SKIT’s production of ‘Frozen’ on April 30th, 2026. Charlotte cast. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Catch the Show

If you haven’t secured your seats yet, don’t miss the chance to see this story come to life at Voorhees High School.

  • Opening Night: This Saturday!
  • Tickets & Info: Visit www.showkids.org or purchase them at the door.

Supporting youth theater is so vital to our community, and I am proud to have documented three decades of these rising stars. See you at the show!

From the Swamp to the Sea: My Upcoming Show Season

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A promotional graphic for Dabour Photography titled 'Photography & Videography by Dabour Photography.' The image features a collage of theatrical logos for upcoming Spring 2026 productions: Shrek The Musical, SpongeBob SquarePants The Broadway Musical, Finding Nemo Kids, Into the Woods, Frozen, The Wizard of Oz, and Sleeping Beauty.

What do Shrek, SpongeBob, Finding Nemo Kids, Into the Woods (x2), Frozen (x2), and Sleeping Beauty all have in common?

Aside from a suspicious amount of talking animals and magical curses… they’ve all booked me. Whether it’s capturing a swamp-dwelling ogre or a pineapple under the sea, I’ll be behind the lens providing photography and videography for every single one of these productions this season.

All of the above do not include all that I do for the Freddy Awards coming up in May!

To see some past theater photography I provided, please go here.

Geppetto and Pinocchio Opens Saturday

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Publicity Photos for SKIT's "Pinocchio"

SKIT’s next show: “My Son Pinocchio, Geppetto’s Musical Tale” opens Saturday. Tickets are still available online or at the door at the Voorhees High School