By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
No matter the genre — rock, country, classical, oldies or comedy — Lakesiders show up for the entertainment in Hoover Auditorium. While the audience is sitting back and enjoying the performance, many don’t realize the hard work going on behind the scenes to make sure things run smoothly.
Steve Bailey knows all about it. He spent his first season working with the Hoover Crew as the Technical Director and was in charge of video, audio and lighting during shows. Bailey is a professor of film and media at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, so he certainly meets the qualifications for the position.
“I’ve done a lot of multi-camera and live video work,” Bailey said. “I saw the job posted online, and I thought, you know, I’m pretty old to have a summer job, but let’s see.”
Bailey has been coming to Lakeside since he can remember. His father, who owns a home just outside the Lakeside gates, and grandfather were both East Ohio Conference pastors. He spent his early years living in the Steubenville area before moving to Aurora, where he attended middle and high schools.
Bailey said the time it takes to set up shows varies. It depends on how much equipment the band has in tow. For instance, it took longer for Newsboys and Jefferson Starship last year because of the complicated sets and additional equipment Lakeside needed to provide.
“Some bands bring all their own equipment,” Bailey said. “Some of it we have to rent so that it’s ready for when they get there.”
The crew also has hospitality duties. They need to find out beforehand if the band has any specific requests. It’s a high priority to keep the guests happy.
“Each band requires a certain type of granola bar, drink and whatnot,” Bailey said. “We have to make sure it’s all ordered and ready for their arrival.”
Bailey said the day is usually a split shift. The crew will get the equipment set up, and then the band will do a sound check. When the band goes to dinner, the crew does the same before heading back to Hoover for showtime. They arrive around 6 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. show, get to their positions and work the show. The crew communicates throughout the show via headset.
Right after the band leaves the stage, the Lakeside team tears everything down and gets things set up for the next day. If it’s a church service, they set up the risers, piano and banners.
“It’s stressful because you’re hoping that everything goes right,” Bailey said. “When you’re done with the show, there’s huge relief. Last summer, the shows went well, and we didn’t have any huge problems. For the most part, it’s pretty fun.”
Bailey says the main reason why things went well is the excellent staff. John Miess, who works shows at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, was the main audio engineer. Other crew members were Director of Performing Arts & Entertainment Matt Charboneau, Program Manager Kiris Marie Fox, Mike Mlarkar, Ben Pollizi, Schuyler Waters, Sylvia Stewart-Bates, Emil Domotorffy and Jacqueline Layer.
“Matt is the one spearheading all this,” Bailey said. “He’s doing all the paperwork and ensuring the band is satisfied. If we have any troubles, we find Matt to remedy the problems.”
Bailey grew up going to Hoover shows. He remembers going in there and trying to find his dad among a “sea of pastors.” It’s a special place to him, and he’s looking forward to working with the crew this summer.
“I’m pretty attached to Hoover because of all the time I’ve spent in Lakeside,” Bailey said. “It was always just such a special place. When you walk in, it’s like, ‘Wow.’ You can tell the bands have the same appreciation. Just thinking of the people who have been on that stage and either spoke or performed, it’s just really cool. You can feel that history.”
