The NPHS drama department’s performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” featured the most elaborate set the drama team had ever constructed for a performance. Sophomore Elliott Purdy and his father, Ryan Purdy, and Casey Hoaglund lead the design and construction of the new set. Students and parents had also contributed to building the set. They began working on the set in January. “We had to figure a timeframe to get it up without getting in the way of the concert in February,” Elliott Purdy said.

He was no stranger to woodworking, having worked with his father on projects like this in the past. But that wasn’t his only reason for helping with the set. He also happened to have the lead part in the musical, his role being Quasimodo.
“Because of my role in [the play] and the set [was] Quasimodo’s house, I thought it would be cool to work on,” Purdy said.

The Purdy’s aren’t the only ones working on the stage. Other students helped with things like staining and painting.“I just wanted to help out anyway I could and the set was a big part of [the play] so I just told them I could help,” said junior Chloe Hoagland, who played the role of Esmeralda.

The new set also has a plethora of more complicated pieces that will be used throughout the play. “We have people to run the doors, railings, benches and even a rolling staircase. There’s also a rolling mini-stage…and a pyre,” Hoagland added.
Purdy was happy to be able to work on the project with his father. “It was amazing, I loved that set,” he said.