COCOLAMUS — Whether it’s a chocolate factory from “Wonka” or a snow-covered tundra from “Disney’s Frozen Jr.,” Jeremy Roush and Tina Kerstetter work their magic as set builders for the East Juniata High School Theatre program.

Roush has been building sets at East Juniata since 2009. The sets for “Frozen” drew rave reviews from the cast and crew as well as audience members alike.

The same held true for “Wonka” last spring with those big golden gates.

“I apparently did something really bad in a past life and this is my penance,” quipped Roush, who teaches industrial arts at the school.

All joking aside, Roush does this because working on sets for the theater productions can be a lot of fun. It’s rewarding to transform an empty stage into a completely new world for the student actors.

“I like the challenge, but It takes a lot of time and effort. I’m fortunate enough to have some great people to work with and just enough sanity,” Roush explained. “I also enjoy getting to watch the cast and crew grow into their roles as the production develops. They always seem to have a lot of fun.”

He’s also quick to point out that he’s hardly a one-man crew. Tina Kerstetter also served as the art director and set designer for “Frozen,” which ran at East Juniata from Feb. 27 through March 2. And there were countless others involved with the sets and production.

“It takes all of us working our hardest to pull these shows off,” Roush said. “I really appreciate everyone’s dedication. Thanks to JP Towsey and the maintenance and custodial staff here at EJ.

“Thanks to my senior high classes for all your help,” Roush added. “You gave up a lot of time the past two weeks. Even though I didn’t give you much of a choice, you worked hard when asked to do so and were instrumental in making this set possible.”

Kerstetter and her students certainly added creativity and colors to the set pieces. They made what Roush termed, “the square blocky wood stuff we make” come to life.

Wonder Twin powers ‘activate’

The set designers appreciate and respect each other’s efforts as well as those of the cast and crew.

“Working with EJ’s talented theatrical team over the years has been so rewarding,” Kerstetter said. “I’m proud of the dedication and countless hours everyone has poured into the show. It can be extremely stressful and exhausting, but so worth it when it all finally comes together.”

Just like receiving a long curtain call from the audience.

“We simply could not do what we do on the sets without the talents of her and her students,” Roush said. “She always impresses.”

Kerstetter started teaching at East Juniata in the fall of 1991 and has been involved with the plays and musicals ever since.

“The whole theatrical team really uses their God-given talents to put together an amazing show,” Kerstetter said. “Local area musicals are getting more competitive like sports. I recently overheard a community member state that her family went to see “Frozen Jr.” in Lancaster and they enjoyed our play even more!

“What a compliment!” Kerstetter added. “Like Jeremy said, we’ve been working together since around 2009 on the sets and have really grown together as a team. ”

Kerstetter credits students in her senior elective art classes for helping to paint all the pieces that went into the stage set. At least 10 of them worked several class periods on the set as well as others that helped out along the way. “It takes many willing hands to pull this off,” Kerstetter added.

Of course, Kerstetter was complimentary of Roush, too, who she said does “an amazing job with your wood-working abilities. When our “Wonder Twin Powers” are activated, we produce some pretty awesome pieces. These last few shows have been a blast. A sense of humor is key. You keep me in business — right up to the remaining seconds.”

Roush also thanked Doug Shenk for donating his time and assisting with planning and constructing the elaborate sets.

It starts with family

Growing up, Roush recalls his father, Jim “Pugs” Roush teaching him how to use tools, how to use machines and especially how to wing it. “That last one comes in extremely helpful with these sets,” Roush laughed.

He remembers his grandfather — Charlie “Pap” Roush — building a shop filled with all sorts of tools and “humoring a little kid that was only interested in smashing holes through paneling with a hammer at the time,” Roush explained.

He said his father was more responsible for getting him interested in becoming an industrial arts teacher.

“Both he and pap taught me about tools and helped me develop the woodworking skills that I started out with when I became a teacher, but my dad was the person that suggested that I become a teacher in the first place,” Roush explained. “I think he knew how much I enjoyed woodworking and saw teaching as a way that I could continue to do that.”

East Juniata Theatre director Jacqueline Malocu couldn’t be more appreciative of the efforts of Roush, Kerstetter and others who work tirelessly on their sets.

“Mr. Roush has been so patient with me as I learn about sets,” Malocu said. “When we start a show, there is usually a concept in my head and I’ll often struggle to articulate exactly what I’m thinking. He has validated my sketching and attempted — almost — every idea I’ve thrown at him. And when Mrs. Kerstetter gets her brushes out — the set comes to life.”

Giving others their props

Roush also gave Scott Arnold, of Mifflintown, plenty of props as well as former director Penny Ritzman.

I don’t know if we have the sets for “Frozen” or “Wonka” without him,” Roush said. “He really helped get me started building sets. We were paired up in 2009 by our former director Penny Ritzman. He was instrumental in designing and building every set I worked on through 2023 when he decided to retire from set building.

“I knew nothing when it came to theater sets when I started,” Roush added. “He taught me a lot about designing and framing sets and what he didn’t know we would work on and figure out together. He was an incredible partner to work with. I miss working with him, but I’m so very thankful for everything he helped me with over the years.”

The backstory of Ritzman giving Roush his start in the trade is equally as interesting. “Penny Ritzman is really the person responsible for why I’m building sets. She asked me if I would be interested in building the set for “The Sound of Music” the year I started teaching,” Roush recalled.

“I wasn’t involved in theater in high school and was not a big fan of musicals, but I thought to myself, ‘Sure, I’ll help. Maybe I’ll do this for a year or two and then someone else can take over.'”

“I was a little naive at the time and I also didn’t realize how easy it would become to enjoy all of this,” Roush added.

From the director

Malocu has seen plenty of productions in all kinds of venues over the years, but rarely has she seen the heart and soul that goes into sets like the East Juniata High School stage does.”

“Of course, I get a first-hand look behind the scenes literally — the way Jeremy and Tina involve the students, while creating the set, is inspiring,” Malocu added. “They set the expectations high and live by example. I trust them completely to deliver something truly exceptional. Everything they imagine and create is an asset to our program. They are an extremely important part of our dream team.”

Don’t think the duo are finished for the school year. The EJ Theatre program is rehearsing for “A (TBA) Murder Mystery,” which is coming to the stage on May 16-17.

Although there aren’t expected to be any elaborate sets with the production, Roush and Kerstetter are always ready and willing to work their magic when needed.