TA alum’s thoughts about Doug Stebbins

Editor,

In Mr. Menard’s letter released via Thornton Academy’s Facebook page on Friday, May 10, he stated “I want to assure you that every effort was made to minimize the impact on the education experience of our students… This adjustment will ensure that Thornton Academy continues its commitment to excellence in education.”

I would respectfully like to express why I believe the elimination of Doug Stebbins’ position in the arts department does exactly the opposite. I was an avid participant in the arts department, and saw Mr. Stebbins at work five days a week four years of my life. I understand budget cuts are an inevitable part of running a school, but I hope after looking over the following points, the CFO, the Board of Trustees, as well as Mr. Menard will reconsider this particular decision, and try to allocate the funds needed to fulfill said budget from some other source.

In March of 2016, I had the opportunity to represent Thornton Arts in Augusta for it’s “Arts’ Advocacy Day.” At this event, it was brought to my attention that my alma mater is the model for all other high school performing arts programs in the state.

One of the aspects of performing arts at Thornton which sets it apart from any other high school, is the utmost quality, and professionalism displayed to the public.

This level of professionalism would not be possible without all of the behind the scenes work Doug Stebbins does. He does so much more than sell tickets in the box office. He was never idle. He always had some sort of project going. Every school meeting, he was responsible for problem shooting any technical difficulties, and making sure each presenter had what they needed prior to the meetings. He took on a lot of jobs important to show production, in a professional setting, these jobs would be delegated between people, but Mr. Stebbins often would single-handedly accomplish them.

He did the sound checks for the jazz band concerts, he set up the risers, the music stands before our sell out music concerts, he ran the sound and light board during the shows, he mopped the stage, he rolled out the marley for the dance showcases, he spent his weekends paint and constructing the sets for our sell out, and award winning theatrical productions.

He kept Garland Auditorium in the best condition possible, and was there for all events related to the arts or not. Including NHS Induction, Baccalaureate, and Undergraduate Academic Awards Night just to name a few. He was always aware of what events were going on in the auditorium, making him involved in so much more than just the arts. If Garland was used for any event, Doug was there making sure things were running smoothly. No one knows that space like he does. On top of running the auditorium, he was instrumental in planning MBDA Marching Band Finals which included the participation of close to 1000 students from across the state.

A former instrument technician, any time a student’s saxophone had a wacky key, or a trombone had a cracked valve, the first person it would go to is Doug. He would take time on top of everything else he was doing to fix the instruments, saving the music department hundreds of dollars in repairs. Anything extra a teacher needed, he was on top of it.

He also brought a welcoming atmosphere to those in the audience. He made sure those on stage, as well as those watching, were as comfortable as possible. On a personal note, I can say without a doubt, he not only made every student feel like family, but he made their family feel that way too. He treated my father with a humbling amount of respect I have rarely seen anyone give my father.

He would go out of his way after every show to talk to him. And when my family came out to see me in West Side Story, including my elderly grandmother who travelled all the way from California, he went above and beyond to make sure they felt welcomed, and were adequately accommodated. Those acts aren’t in Mr. Stebbins’ job description, that’s just who is he is, and his kindness is a great reflection on the type of staff TA has to offer to prospective students and families.

The lack of his position will be a detriment to the educational quality of the students, because with no one with the specific task of doing the “dirty work,” those responsibilities will fall on the shoulders of the other teachers in the arts department. This will distract from their main goal, which is to educate, and impede on the level of professionalism that seems seamless from those on the outside.

His job is the most important in the department. It is the glue that holds it together. It is the grease that keeps the gears of the department turning smoothly. He is the superhero who saves the day at the last minute.

Whenever he is around, there is no doubt, the show will go on. Now approaching my junior year at the University of Maine, I have interacted with UMaine’s version of a “Doug” in the School of Performing Arts.

His name is Birdie, and his title is “Auditorium Manager.” But, he does so much more than the weak title implies, just as Doug has. Going to college, and seeing once again, someone in a similar position to Doug Stebbins, and the amount everyone else relies on Birdie, just further proves my point that of all the positions to cut, his was not one of them. Thank you.