The Sam behind the curtain

Junior Sam Santangelo has carved a niche for himself behind the scenes at North Penn High School

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Knight Crier

3…2…1… Action. NPHS junior Sam Santengleo directs Mornings in the NPHS TV studio, December 15, 2017,

TOWAMENCIN – You could say it was fate and a little bit of curiosity that brought Sam Santangelo to various North Penn High School productions, but hard work and a strong vigor for it kept him there.  

Sam may not be center stage for the latest play, or anywhere on the stage for that matter, but he is everywhere else. Behind all the magic in Theater productions and NPTV, that’s one place the North Penn junior, feels right at home.

“When I was younger my mom went to this backstage tour with me to this local theater and there was this guy [in the act] who jumped out of a window and I didn’t really think about it during the show, but afterwards we got to see this mattress there and I was like ‘wow.’ That really steamed my curiosity for all the things you don’t pay attention to, the things that happen without your knowledge,” explained Santangelo about the day that would perhaps inspire the  tale of his future.

When I was younger my mom went to this backstage tour with me to this local theater and there was this guy [in the act] who jumped out of a window and I didn’t really think about it during the show, but afterwards we got to see this mattress there and I was like ‘wow.

— Sam Santangelo, NPHS Junior

Since that vivid day, there was no turning back. Early in seventh grade at Penndale Middle School, an announcement came over the loudspeaker about a Tech Info Meeting. After attending the meeting, his curiosity snowballed as he went in head first. Throughout his middle school carrer, Sam was very much involved. In only three years there he was a part of every theater production by running sound board or being in charge of the microphones. With only a piece of what was at the high school under his belt, Santangelo was hungry for more.

“Middle School didn’t have nearly the amount of opportunities as the high school so I couldn’t fill my time with all the extracurriculars that I’m involved in now. Now I can have, 3 to 4 NPTV events a week…and there’s just a lot of opportunities. You can really hone in on what you’re interested in. You can be interested in music, sports, academics, languages, literally anything that you can find. I think that the best way to succeed in high school to find your niche and be involved with it as much as possible.” said Santangelo about his positive experience with high school.

Recently in the fall theater production, Santangelo ran the sound board, which is a device used to mix sounds and change volumes of the microphones and certain instruments during the performance. Not only does Sam take advantage of the out of school opportunities like attending NPTV events, Theater, and floor directing the Mornings every Friday, he also spends time in the classroom with his passion. Digital Photography and TV Productions class fill up his schedule in school putting all his elective classes into this same area of focus. Out of all the extra curriculars, Sam does have his favorite spot behind the Soundboard.

Submitted Photo
The Sound without the fury: The soundboard on the NPHS Auditorium is a spot where NP Junior Sam Santangelo feels at home.

‘’Theater is just a really great community, TV is great, but for theater you’re working towards one main event and goal, and you have chances to build on your previous successes and fix the mistakes you made in the past. You try to make that one production the best it can be and apply the skills you learned then fix it tomorrow.” explained Santangelo.

Technical Theater is something Sam intends to pursue in the future and majoring in it during college. He hopes to find connections in college and to eventually be running Soundboard in the big leagues. Sam is very confident going into college with his options, even if his interest changes while he is there. Going with his gut, he has many options to fall back on if something does not go as planned.

“I’ve been trying to be optimistic this year, just trying to look towards the future and just trying to figure out the best way to go forward. I try to be optimistic; keeping myself busy outside of school helps me stay motivated in the classroom,” Santangelo reflected.

With a love for technology also comes for a love of music from the NP junior. ‘The Wonder Years’ a pop punk band, containing several members who graduated from North Penn, is one of Sam’s all time favorite bands.

I love music… concerts are where I really feel like myself; I’m not thinking about what other people think of me

— Sam Santangelo

“I love music… concerts are where I really feel like myself; I’m not thinking about what other people think of me,” explained Santangelo.

With a great support system at home with his younger sister and 3 moms, Sam also receives tons of support from his peers as well, whether it is in the TV studio, the auditorium, or even the studio taking pictures.

“Sam is amazing! I can always count on him to participate in NPTV events and do his best work. We’ve become great friends this year and he’s a great person. He’s always so upbeat and happy to be there. He’s going to do amazing things in whatever he chooses in the future” said NPTV career study student Mary Beth Neiman.