TOWAMENCIN – Everyone knows that a play or musical is nothing without the actors and actresses. What most people do not realize, though, is that the same can be said about the tech hands that work behind the scenes.

North Penn junior Noah Golden understands this reality, for he’s been working as a theatre tech hand since the sixth grade at his church. His passion continued into middle school when he operated audio for Pennfield Middle School’s plays.

Because of his experience in middle school, Golden was “excited to work in the big high school”. Since joining the North Penn theatre department, Golden has most definitely found his place. This fall, he is the audio engineer for North Penn’s production of As You Like it.

“I sit and I listen to the play with a list of all of the actors and actresses that need a microphone. I assign them different microphones according to voice type,” said Golden describing his role.

Throughout the actual show, Golden works with his cohort Eli Heisey to operate the soundboard. Together, they manage the microphones and track the various sound effects needed in the performance.

Golden thoroughly enjoys his place behind the scenes because that’s where he feels the most comfortable. Being on camera, he admitted, isn’t quite his thing.

“I like to put on a show and my face not be there” said Golden “I feel the most joy when people don’t know that I’m even there.”

Golden carries this passion into other aspects of his life, including his work behind the scenes of North Penn’s popular morning show segment, the Dude Report.

North Penn Coordinator of Communications Media and North Penn television’s director, Mr. Bob Gillmer, approached Golden at the end of last school year asking if he wanted to be involved with the Dude Report.

“I wasn’t exactly interested in being on as a dude because I don’t really like being out in front of other people,” explained Golden “So, I met with the three dudes, and we just threw around some plans. Then, I just kind of rolled into doing it.”

Since starting the job, Golden has found it to be stressful at times. Coordination seems to be the biggest factor because, according to Golden, “having a deadline, even though it’s lenient, is very difficult.” On top of that, two dudes play large roles in the fall play, so finding a time to shoot is difficult.

Even though there are some issues, however, Golden said that the job is generally just fun and relaxing, mainly because of the dudes.

“The first episode, showing up to Jake Bell’s house and shooting with three guys in a shower was…definitely memorable. They’re just fun guys, so I enjoy shooting with them. There’s zero stress most of the time.”

Golden’s involvement in the fall play and Dude Report has definitely been helping him with his more serious work outside of North Penn. Golden has been working in freelance media since he was just twelve years old.

“My first job was actually at the high school. They hired an adult friend of mine who hired me,” said Golden. “We taped the play because NPTV didn’t do it at that point, so we would tape it and give it to the actors and actresses.”

From there, Golden just kept moving forward in freelance media. He works very closely with his church, Emmanuel Church of Nazarene, overseeing the church’s media for events.

All of Golden’s work behind the scenes, in and out of North Penn, has helped pave the way for his future. Golden hopes to continue being the master behind the scenes in technical theatre as a lighting designer for events, such as shows or concerts.

Golden is looking forward to continuing with his many endeavors in the media world because “anything technical or film or audio or just entertainment is what I really love.”