The APOGEE English Press sat down with Bhargav Varareddy, the coordinator of the Department of Stage Controls, for a short interview.

The Department of Stage Controls, also known as Backstage, handles all the tasks that involve the Central Auditorium Stage. They work closely with departments like Sounds and Lights to ensure that the performances go smoothly. Backstage is also responsible for scripting, scheduling, and conducting the inauguration ceremony. The ceremony involves the chief guest reception, multiple cultural performances by various clubs, and a reveal of the kernel events for the fest. 

Keeping up with their tradition, Backstage is building a structure, a 3–4ft model, that integrates into the fest’s theme. For APOGEE 2022, they are building a structure of Wall-E—a robot from the movie of the same name, which was a relic from a dead Earth. Backstage also helps ADP in putting up the themed backdrop that covers the entire back screen of the central auditorium.

Talking about pre-APOGEE work, Bhargav explained how the two year gap, due to the pandemic, has left all the departments to face a huge learning curve. Despite this, Bhargav observed high enthusiasm in every person involved in the fest. Bhargav concluded by saying that the GBM should explore the fest, but responsibly, given that it is the first fest for a lot of them.