Special to The Swellesley Report courtesy of the Wellesley High School Bradford and Parents of Performing Students (POPS). This is one in a series of POPS Senior Profiles we’ll be publishing.
In his sophomore year, Drew Ward helped paint the set for the METG performance “Euridice.” Little did he know it would be the start of genuine friendships and personal growth.
Following “Euridice,” Ward worked on the set of “Happy Anniversary, Angel! Love, Gino,” “Mean Girls,” and “Anything Goes.” This year, he was the head of set design at the high school and managed the building of the “The Secret in the Wings” set. Ward has also been a part of the hair and makeup team in two of the high school’s performances.
Ward believes his love for architecture led him to his passion for set design.
“I love reading the plays and trying to understand how I can create a space that will highlight the actors’ movement while staying on the aesthetic of the show,” Ward said.
It is clear Ward has learned how to do just that. Senior Amelia Vecchiotti, a friend of Ward’s, worked with him in “The Secret in the Wings.”
“The first time I got to work with him in a tech context was during the fall play ‘The Secret in the Wings.’ Drew designed an amazing set that furthered the off-putting and strange feeling the play created,” said Vecchiotti.
There is more to making an impressive set design than people often think. Drew noted that being a part of the Tech department is a large time commitment, mentioning that some students, including himself, will sometimes stay at the school until 10:00 PM.
“Being a part of tech has shown me how much work goes into every performance. For example, each show has numerous spreadsheets, mood boards, and meetings,” Ward said.
Despite these long hours, Ward continues to show his desire to help others while working on these demanding projects.
“He is one of the most supportive people on tech. Not only is he known for including people around him, but he often goes out of his way to support every member of the team,” Vecchiotti said.
Ward partially attributes his collaborative abilities to sports. In addition to being in the Tech department, he is also on the varsity sailing team.
“He is a strong leader, especially on build days. He’s had experience as a sailing instructor and I think it has informed the way he gives directions as well as his overall mentality when it comes to the task at hand,” Vecchiotti said.
This upcoming fall Ward will attend Syracuse University and study to earn his bachelor’s in architecture.
“While I don’t know where my career will take me, building sets professionally will always be something I keep in mind,” Ward said.
Although his chapter at the high school will soon end, Ward will leave an extremely valuable impact on the community.
“[Drew Ward] has used his knowledge to create beautifully detailed, accurate, and artistic worlds on our stages this year. He has mastered the skill of artistic collaboration and created sets that complement the other designers’ visions all while standing out among them,” said Mr. Tyler James, theatre production and design teacher.
Article written by WHS Bradford News Editor Sophia Pavano ’26
