Short Interview with PIPPIN Tech Director

Saint Mary's College of California's talented Technical Director, "Ernie" Ernstrom, gives a short interview regarding our spring '26 musical, PIPPIN:

What are you excited about with the work you are doing on this show?
It's been wonderful building the set and working with the students and the creating of Deanna Zibello's really beautiful set.

What’s the coolest part of the set or an aspect that you are learning about with this set?

The hand railing is supposed to represent a crown so we have different elements within it: both straight black sections that are supposed to disappear and gold uprights in certain positions, and then there's a railing that looks like a rim of a crown. I'll connect them all together and peak in the center of the stage.

How are TVs being incorporated into the set?

There was a decision made to incorporate video and projection into this production. We've added some floating televisions in the back and we'll work with content that's being developed by Tiernan Mckevitt, our projections designer. I'm looking forward to working with it and seeing how it turns out!

What are the challenges that are unique to a musical?

On some level you have to deal with a whole new element in that it's not just sound design, but it's music. It usually comes in one of two ways. Either you have orchestrations with live performers or you have music tracks, each of which are an additional element that aren't normally used in theatrical performances. That includes enough wireless microphones to mix all the performers and singers.

How involved are students in creating this set?

The students are doing everything! All I'm doing is helping them understand how to build it.

Thank you, Ernie, for joining the team!

For more information about PIPPIN and to purchase your tickets: stmarys-ca.edu/pippin26