A Behind-the-Scenes Look into Smeeting

          Every Thursday, Lawrentians file into the Kirby Arts Center for School Meeting, or more informally, “Smeeting,” but very few understand all the time and effort that makes each Smeeting possible. To Student Council President Bryce Langdon ’24, Smeeting “is a super special time because it’s the only time we’re together as an entire community.”

          Smeeting is the product of the combined efforts of the Dean of Students office, faculty, the Student Council (or “StuCo”), tech crew, and any special performers or speakers. In preparation for Smeeting, Langdon will first check the list of students who have signed up to perform. During StuCo meetings on Monday nights, planning Smeeting is the first item on the agenda. “We run through a schedule. Once I have all the information, I set up an order in terms of what makes the most sense. Then I’ll reach out to the tech crew, who have been fantastic all year, and they help set up any necessary technology,” stated Langdon. 

          Still, planning Smeeting does not come without its challenges. Keeping Smeeting original takes a lot of new ideas and people. Langdon added that “incorporating feedback from members of StuCo, House presidents, social representatives, people who have reached out in open StuCo meetings, faculty members, and multiple previous school presidents have helped” make Smeeting fresh and exciting. Only once the plan is outlined and approved by the Student Council and the Dean of Students office does the Tech Crew start to work.

          Every Wednesday at 6:30 PM, a dry run of Smeeting occurs in the KAC. “Bryce reaches out with the plan for Smeeting and the list of what we’re going to do and any tech needs. Typically the goal is to have anybody who is going to speak at Smeeting or be [at Smeeting] be there Wednesday night,”  said Annabella Saltarelli ’25, a member of the tech crew. The dry run is used to troubleshoot videos, sound, set up, and more. “The tech crew makes things so much easier on all of us,” mentioned Langdon. During Smeeting, tech crew is also in charge of adjusting microphone volumes according to each speaker’s voice. Saltarelli noted that “Usually the biggest part of tech is, whenever there’s a performance, we have to bring the main rag out, change the stage lights, and change the music.” In addition to the work done by tech crew, performers must prepare for their chance on stage.

          Michelle Zhang ’25, who performed in December, noted that “I went to the Wednesday meeting, but I also went to many weeks of rehearsals until I got the dance ready to go. In my dance, I chose a song that went very much against my style while still complementing my style of dance. I really liked the challenge. I spent maybe two or three months trying to come up with it.”

          All the effort that goes into Smeeting pays off. Saltarelli particularly enjoys watching the performances. “It’s really nice to see the talents of Lawrentians because we don’t have an opportunity where everybody gets to see that,” she added. Langdon and Student Council’s attempts to make Smeeting entertaining are also all worth it. “When people are getting a good laugh or coming out of Smeeting saying ‘that was a good one,’” Langdon believes he has made Smeeting successful. Langdon adds, “if we can get everyone on stage at one point during their Lawrenceville career, then I think that’s a great thing.” Zhang agrees, saying, “performing felt like a testament to my commitment, and I got to show that to the school. I was excited and also kind of scared, but I’m glad I did it.”

          For future School Meetings, Langdon plans to get faculty more involved in game shows and performances. “I will not reveal their name yet, but there’s a faculty group practicing to perform in the next couple weeks, and The Disciples just got their band back together, so we’re hoping they’ll perform too,” he stated. There are many exciting developments to look forward to in future School Meetings! Remember, Smeeting, with the entertainment and sense of community it brings to Lawrenceville, is all thanks to the hard behind-the-scenes work of dozens of people!