Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew

Sand Crabs and Singing

2011-07-13T17:10:00.001-07:00

Time to eat Pizza and PLAY!

2011-07-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

Tonight is our 5th show, and then we will only have 3 more! My, how time is flying by! The boys are learning to love each other more each day, and they are getting more comfortable with their parts under and above the stage. This is a time for play too. Today we toured the Book of Mormon publishing sight, and then swam in Lake Ontario. They are a wonderful group of young men, and we sure love them!

A chance meeting with Brother Bair, 1968-69 Work Crew Director!

2011-07-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Early Morning Fireside with Elder and Sister Costa

2011-07-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Ground and Light Crew 2011

2011-07-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

Work Crew Relaxing!

2011-07-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

It's finished!!!

2011-07-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

2011-07-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

Finally...a day of rest!!

2011-07-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

2011-07-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

Some of our trusted leaders.

2011-07-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

We couldn't build this stage without TEAM WORK!!

2011-07-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

Puzzled?? They weren't!!

2011-07-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Making great progress!!!!

2011-06-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

It's off to work we go!

2011-06-25T08:11:00.001-07:00

The Work Crew is here!!!!

2011-06-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

The District Leaders have arrived!

2011-06-25T07:36:00.001-07:00

Mormon Times Article

2010-07-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Behind the special effects at the Hill Cumorah Pageant
Author: Toi Clawson
16 July 2010 7:00am

Brock Allen, 18, center, of Sammamish, Wash., is one of the 26 young men who gather in New York to be on a Hill Cumorah Pageant work crew. The crew is in charge of safety, running the 12 light towers and creating all of the special effects.Provided by Fife Photography

MANCHESTER, N.Y. — Brock Allen sets off fire balls and shoots water canons. And if the 18-year-old does his job right, the audience won't notice him or the other 26 teenagers on the Hill Cumorah Pageant work crew who come from across the country to spend four weeks in upstate New York.

They are charged with the safety of the 700 cast members as well as running the 12 light towers and creating all the special effects.

Specifically, Allen is part of the "ground crew." In addition to making water and fire fly, they hoist the enormous sail for Lehi's boat.

These are dramatic and powerful effects to witness during performances, especially considering that few of the young men have ever done any stage crew or theatrical work before coming here.

"I have always known I would come here," said Allen who is from Sammamish, Wash., and attends the Issaquah 2nd Ward, Bellevue Washington Stake.

The 2010 Hill Cumorah Pageant performances began July 9. Braving scattered showers, nearly 4,000 people filled the audience. The cast members have come from as far away as Vietnam and South Africa and across the U.S. and Canada. The work crew has learned their parts, and each evening they make the magic happen on stage to move the story of the pageant along. From the fiery destruction scene to the water curtains of vision sequences, the work crew is a vital part of the pageant.

"This pageant is amazing," Allen said, "it opens your eyes to why we are willing to dedicate ourselves to doing Heavenly Father's work."

With enthusiasm and dedication, the work crew carry out their work night after night.

Allen was adopted as a baby from the island of Kiribati in Micronesia. His parents, Kris and Owen Allen lived in Arizona at that time. From age 5 to 8, Brock Allen lived near Hill Cumorah in western New York. During those years, Allen loved hearing his teenage aunts and uncle describe their experiences being in the pageant in the late 1990s. Brock looked forward to one day being in the pageant himself, and was excited to be accepted on the work crew this year.

Yet there was another connection he didn't expect. Just two days before leaving for work crew, Allen's family received word about his birth family.

Elder Tikaua Taratai, who is serving in the California Sacramento Mission, heard about a family in Arizona who had adopted children from his island. Hopeful to learn where his baby brother was now, Taratai sent information to that family, who knew the Allens, and they relayed all the details. With the paper work the Allens had from the adoption, they confirmed that everything matched. Allen said he is excited to learn about his roots and has plans to meet Taratai after the pageant.

In the meantime, he is busy at work each day, preparing for the nearly 6,000 audience members who come to see the pageant each night. The Allen family, include his parents and three siblings — Lindsay, 15, Brett, 12, and Becky, 8, — are planning to be at the final performance Saturday, July 17.

Performances continue this week through July 17. For information, visit www.hillcumorah.org.

Toi Clawson is the Hill Cumorah Pageant public affairs director.

One Show Left!

2010-07-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

Elder Snow from the Seventy and his wife came and visited us for an early morning devotional. The next two pictures are of the Sacred Grove.

One more week left!!

2010-07-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

I'm a little behind with the blog because I broke my leg last Wednesday! I am fine, but it's been a hassle. My family is taking care of me and the Work Crew boys have been thoughtful and supportive. I'm just sad because I don't get to see them as much as I used to.

So much has happened in the last few weeks. Tonight is our 6th show with an audience and there is a big crowd...it's a beautiful night! The boys are feeling comfortable with their roles now and the show is spectacular!! They have really stepped up to the plate.

The have been to Palmyra and the Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was published, the Peter Whitmer farm, and the temple again for baptisms. They've cleared a pond of rocks for the facilities management group and eaten LOTS of pizza. This Monday we had the Work Crew version of the Olympics and then they performed an AWESOME rhythm band at our annual FHE HCP talent show, with all their tools they use on the Hill. I will post the performance on the blog if it's not too big to load.

You have wonderful boys!!! I Hope to post more pictures soon!

The Work Crew's Week Two in Pictures

2010-07-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful Ground Crew!

Our amazing Light Crew!

We are the Work Crew... the mighty, mighty Work Crew.

Hey Mom... look what I can do!

I've never felt so loved!!!!

The handsome missionaries outside of the Temple.

A view of the stage from the top of the Hill.

Brother Loper and Brothe Kjar preparing to be great missionaries!

The lights go out for the light crew. Too many late night rehearsls!

Who's that man is costume!

Thanks for the goodies mom and dad!! Please send more :)

After a hard game of Ultimate Frisbee!

Sunset from the top of the Hill.

Work crew singing at the after show devotional...about 11:00 at night.

Abinadi burning st the stake. Don't worry, the fire is about 12-15 feet away from him.

We love these boys!!

2010-07-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

Handsome District Leaders getting started.

Empty hill with no stage :( We should fix that...

Here come the Work Crew!!

Now all they need is angelic supervision...Look, it's a plane, no it's Brother Krebs!!

I call this "Team Work".

End of the first day!

End of the second day!

End of the third day!

Filling fire extinguishers with water.

Wow!!! What strength!! (Working on the water fall above)

Working hard!!!

What great young men we have on the work crew!

Installing the water fall.

Reading in the upper room of Joesph Smith's log cabin.

All the Boys and Leaders at the visitor's center.

In front of the tree that was planted when Alvin Smith passed away

Off to work they go!!

2010-06-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

Work Crew 2010 is here safe and sound! After most of them flew all night they trained all day on Friday. Despite being tired on Saturday, they BUILT A STAGE!!! They were cooperative, loving, diligent, happy and hard working! We love them already!! They worked until the sun was down and then some. On Sunday we attended church on the Hill in the study shelter, and many of the boys bore beautiful testimonies. After lunch we all went to visit the Joseph Smith Farm.

Monday and Tuesday they worked tirelessly ALL day to finish their masterpiece!

Parents, thanks for trusting us with your sons!!

The Haka

2009-08-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

The boys performed this at the Pageant Talent Show. They were wearing matching work crew T-shirts and jeans - it was very manly!

After the fact...

2009-08-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

Brother Powell: IN WHAT WAYS DID YOUR TESTIMONY GROW ON WORK CREW?

In visiting all of the church history sites, especially living on one of them, I have felt the wonderful influence of the Spirit testifying of the truthfulness of the gospel as it was restored at the many locations we were at. I know the value of hard work as well as team work. We must do our part if we're to ever succeed in building Zion here on earth. I have seen the miracle of prayers being answered while I was on the work crew. I personally participated in the prayer challenge set a month before the work crew arrived and I think we can all agree to it's fulfillment.

Brother Abutaa:

THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM BEING ON THE 2009 WORK CREW

I loved being on Work Crew. I learned so much! At first I couldn't believe all we had to do and even worried if we'd finish our tasks. But I learned that if the Lord has a work to be done, it will get done. Some of the things I had to do I couldn't have done on my own. The Spirit provided me with strength and courage to help me complete certain tasks. There were times when I would be discouraged or maybe the weather looked like it would ruin everything, but for the same reason everything worked out perfectly. It is my testimony that the Lord has a work to be done here on this Earth and that is to invite others to come unto Christ. I know that this work will be completed no matter what and that the Lord will provide the way. He won't put tasks before us that we can't bear. I know that our Savior and our Father in Heaven loves us and has a plan for us so that we can be eternally happy. I'm so grateful for that.

Brother Lyman:Don't be afraid to talk. People are nicer than you think, even if they're just being kind they will listen to you. Every time you speak is an opportunity to share some of your knowledge and invite others to come unto Christ.

Brother Hirschi:

This experience has strengthened my testimony so much. I am so glad to have been able to do this. I am so grateful for all the lessons that I have learned from leaders and from my peers. Everyone and everything has been such an example to me. I know that I was supposed to be on the work crew this year, and it has helped me in my life to see what I need to do in my life. Watching two boys receive their mission calls on the Hill strengthend my desire to serve a misison. I can't wait to go on my mission and serve the Lord.

Brother Spinder:

The work crew is such an amazing, growing and preparing for a mission experience that no one should ever pass up if they have the opportunity. While I was out there I learned how to testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we first started talking to people, I can honestly say I was a little nervous and I didn't know what to say. I just followed along and listened to my companion and I bore my testimony at the end sometimes. With the Sister Missionaries, and Companionship Study, I learned where to find scriptures, pick my favorite ones, when to use the scriptures, and how to teach using the verses. Later, I got to be able to walk up to people and just start talking to them. I was able to take what I prepared and start teaching them what I know and what I love. I was able to testify of our savior Jesus Christ and how much he loves and cares for all of us. It was such an amazing and testimony building experience. I am so grateful for that opportunity I had to be able to share what I know to be true to people who have never learned of our church before. And I hope that I made a good impression on them. I know that if I never tried and put my Faith in the Lord to help me go out and use the spirit to know what to say to people, I would have never grown and succeeded in what I wanted to do. Besides learning how to use the spirit to find people to teach and testify to them, I was able to strengthen my testimony so much of the Restoration of the Church. Before being on the work crew, I have never been out in Palmyra or any of the other church sites before. So going there for the first time was so incredible. Feeling the spirit at the Sacred Grove just proved to me that this church is true. That Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the 14 year old Joseph Smith when he prayed to know which church was true. I know that he was told none were. I know that Moroni appeared to him when he was in his house and told him that he would translate the Gold Plates and it would be called the Book of Mormon. And I know that that's exactly what he did. I know that he had so many trials but with his Faith, he overcame them. And I know that we can do that ourselves. If we have faith in the Lord and put our trust in him, he will help us in our trials and we will grow stronger from them.

13WHAM

2009-07-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

Local - 13WHAM.com - Rochester News, Weather, and Sports
Check out these videos about the Pageant that were broadcast this morning!

Lots of Pictures

2009-07-13T09:30:00.001-07:00

A peek at the "Wind Tunnel" where the boys eat and sleep.
Group hug after Brother Gassaway opened his mission call.

At a devotional with the cast in the study shelter.

The cast practicing the "Processional" at the beginning of the Pageant.

Cool view from the light tower. You can see the Lehi boat scene and the safety lighting on the rest of the huge stage.

The ground crew! They perform all the special effects on the ground and on stage.

The light crew! They are up in the light towers doing the spots for the actors on stage.

An awesome shot of the destruction rehearsal. The boys are doing a GREAT job with the special effects.

A sample of one of the incredible sunsets that we can see here on the Hill Cumorah.

Trying on costumes for the boat scene.

A map of where all the boys are from is in the Wind Tunnel.

Having a FANTASTIC time on work crew!!

Mission Call

2009-07-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 11th at noon at the top of the Hill Cumorah, Brother Gassaway opened his mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the Philippines Cebu Mission. He will report on September 23, 2009. Congratulations Elder Gassaway!

Enjoying the WORK.

2009-07-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

The stage is complete!!

Such manly MEN. :)

On Friday the boys were able to do a temple session.

They are such a handsome, hardworking, and obedient group. We LOVE them. Thank you parents!

And Off To Work They Go...

2009-07-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 27th: The first day of work.

The Sacred Grove.Brother Krebs and Brother KrebsThe technical director: Brother Jurgens and his beautiful wife at the Log home.The Work Crew District leaders, Assistants, and Director (Krebs, Conover, Hooker, Gassaway, Krebs, Krebs, Jones)The whole crew in front of the Visitors Center. The empty Hill. Ready for the stage to be built!The men were tired after putting up the Grand Staircase!Time for the LIGHTS to go up.The work crew has had a wonderful experience so far. The stage is almost done, lifelong friendships are already developing, and the cast doesn't even come until Friday! :)

Welcome 2009 Work Crew!

2009-06-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

Brother Krebs and I are thrilled to start our adventure with the 2009 Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew! The boys will arrive on June 26th to begin building friendships...and a 12,000 square foot stage. :) The Hill you see below will soon be busy with hundreds of people working to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon through a magestic performance. Be prepared to feel the spirit of the Hill!

Bro. Gassaway's Testimony

2008-08-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say that being on work crew has been one of the best experiences of my life. Making new friends it was like a month long party, haha; It has been a good mission preparation experience as well. Being apart of the work crew has reaffirmed in my mind that the Lord is all about work. I was able to strengthen my testimony so much in the spirit and in Jesus Christ while at work crew, I really think that I grew there. I would recommend being on the work crew to anyone, it truly is a testimony building experience. I cant say that being on work crew has finally opened my eyes to the knowledge of Christ love because I already knew, but it most certainly helped me learn of his love for me even more. Working on the flight crew especially helped me to feel Christ's love. Every evening seeing Christ come down like that just made me want to go and share my Saviors love with everyone, I wanted to go shout it from the rooftops so that everyone would know Christ lives and he loves each and every one of us. I know that Jesus loves me, so much in fact he gave his life for me. I know Jesus lives with all my heart and I cannot deny it. I know that the work we were engaged in at work crew was definitely the Lords work and it can only be furthered one way.... Work. If ye have a desire to serve God you are called to the work. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

With love,
Brother Gassaway

Stage views and our fans

2008-08-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

Pageant Cast Pictures

2008-08-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Final processional pose.
Destruction scene.
Christ visits the Americas.

News Article from Deseret News

2008-08-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

Young men set stage at Hill Cumorah Pageant

By Wade Jewkes

Deseret NewsPublished: Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2008

Since 1937, the Hill Cumorah Pageant has been presenting spectacular outdoor theater productions in Palmyra, N.Y.Each year seven shows are produced with smoke, flames and other special effects with magnificent props and backdrops in the outdoor setting on the slope of Hill Cumorah.The work crew responsible for setting this stage consists of 26 teen-age boys between the ages of 16 and 19 who arrive about two weeks before opening night and stay only about a week afterward to disassemble the entire production.For anyone who has attended this event, the first question that comes to mind is: How could these young kids pull this off? Especially with no experience.Perhaps much of the credit should go to Glen and Donna Krebs, who are in their third year as work crew leaders in charge of this team. Glen Krebs defers credit to the Lord when he explains: "We pray about all the applications and we select who the Lord wants."He said 55 applications were submitted this year and in previous years as many as 100. Four of the young men selected this year were returnees from last year.Ethan Call, of Colonia Juarez, Mexcio, explained why he returned for a second year: "I really enjoyed it the first year and I was planning my mission at the end of my freshman year at BYU. And this is great missionary preparation."He has already received his call to Panama and he cites the parallel missionary experience at Cumorah: "We are given companions," he said, "and we study every morning for about a half-hour." Subject material usually includes scriptures from the play, and they are given a "word for the day."Each of the 26 young men is individually set apart for this "calling." The meal routine includes singing a hymn and reciting the Joseph Smith quote on the "Standard of Truth."Before each performance, all the cast members -- including the young men from the work crew -- mingle in the crowd talking to the people and hoping to do missionary work."Last year I had a great experience," Call said. "There was a man from El Salvador who spoke no English and I was able to talk to him and make a referral." Because he grew up in the Mexican Colonies, he speaks fluent Spanish.Opportunities are provided to visit the Sacred Grove and see other historic Church sites in and around Palmyra.Donna Krebs takes on a role similar to a dorm mother. "It is like having a family, only multiplied. I put up a little job wheel."One youngster ran into a beam and she had to take him to a doctor where he received nine stitches. "My role," she said, "is to make sure they have a clean house and clean clothes and a full tummy."Hard work is part of the script for these teen-agers. The first task after they arrive is to find the holes for 300 posts and map corresponding measurements. After constructing the light towers, they are the ones who run the lights and special effects. And a few take part in the play where they construct Nephi's boat during the actual performance.More than 700 volunteers make up the cast and the work crew. None are paid. Back in the 1960s and '70s, about 90 percent of the participants were from Utah. Today, one official estimated that only about 40 percent were from Utah.Glen Krebs and his family, from Lexington, Ky., participated as cast members for several years before he became involved as a work crew leader. "The thing that was most meaningful to me," he said, "was seeing my family share testimony with the people."Now he wants to provide a similar experience for members of the work crew. "My goal is to try and provide as many opportunities to feel the spirit and build their testimonies."Jordan Hilton, an 18-year-old from Greensboro, N,C,, verified that Krebs' goal is working: "It is definitely a lot of hard work, but it is worth it."Call responded to the question of why a 16-year-old boy would want to do this: "It is a good experience to learn independence. It is a lot of hard work, but it is a lot of fun."Krebs said, "It's the best-kept secret in the church. It's better than youth conference or EFY."Email: wjewkes@desnews.com
MormonTimes.com is produced by the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah.It is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

NEW Work Crew Pics

2008-08-06T18:57:00.001-07:00

Brother Hilton working on the high beam.
A silouette and the complex stage.
The boys and the big green machine.
Having fun at Hobart College.
Breaking the record - too bad it's not an Olympic event.

Brother Marchant's Testimony

2008-08-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

Work Crew is the awesomest 4 weeks ever. Not only do you gain 25 best friends and 2 spectacular new parents, you also have loads of fun (imagine a fiesta almost every night), get used to the missionary lifestyle, and most importantly have a tremendously spiritual experience as you visit the sacred sites and learn from many amazing leaders. I know that the church is true and the only church led directly by our Heavenly Father. I know my Savior reigns and one day will reign in glory over the entire Earth when he comes again. I look forward to that day and know that my Work Crew experience helped me prepare to one day bow and bath his feet with my tears. I would challenge any worthy young man to pray if Work Crew is right for them so they too can become better prepared for that wonderful day.

Your Brother
in the Lord,

Brother Marchant

Work Crew Talent

2008-07-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

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This video was taken at the FHE talent show on Monday, July 14th. Everyone loves their work crew!

Work Crew Montage

2008-07-06T14:53:00.001-07:00

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These pictures are mostly of each work crew boy individually with Brother and Sister Krebs in front of the Palmyra Temple.

The stage is complete.

2008-07-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

The 2008 work crew has had another busy week. The stage is complete and the boys have already started rehearsals with a cast of 720 members! Nowhere in this world does a cast this size put together a show as magnificant as the Hill Cumorah Pageant in six days. Come next Thursday, July 10th, we will have a dress rehearsal, and there will be several thousand people in the audience. The work crew finished the stage so quickly that on Saturday the 5th they actually ran out of things to do!

Twelve work crew are on the light towers and fourteen are on the ground crew. The ground crew does everything from moving props to setting off water cannons and fireballs. In the 75 seconds of the destruction scene, there are 55 special effects.

On Friday, July 4th, the work crew attended the temple and performed almost 400 baptisms. This is definitely a year for setting records!

2008-07-03T05:52:00.001-07:00

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As you can see, the stage is almost complete. The cast will arrive Friday, July 4th, to be amazed by the boys handiwork. They will have finished in record time! [There was only one injury, and now the young man is feeling great and can brag about his 9 stitches forevermore.] It's been a wonderful experience!

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

2008-06-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week for the 2008 work crew. Brother Krebs and his family got here Sunday night to set up camp and prepare for the boys. Dan Jones is the excellent work crew assistant this year(green hard hat below). The District leaders -Brothers Call, Hill, Thibaudeau, Stucki - arrived on Wednesday the 25th. They got right to business and built stage four as an example for the new work crew.

After two days of training, the DL's were ready to meet their new brothers. And they went to work...

The boys on the hill at sunset.

On the tractor - their main mode of transportation.

The empty hill.

At 2:00pm on Saturday the 28th.

At 3:00pm.

At 4:00pm.

At 5:00pm.

This is what happens when you forget your raingear. (Brother Jurgens, the technical director)

The work crew had the unique experience of being taught by President Uchtdorf for Sunday School on Sunday the 29th. It was a powerful and spiritual opportunity. The 2008 work crew is bound for a successful summer!

Welcome to the 2008 Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew!

2008-05-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 2008 Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew Blog!

We are thrilled to have your participation on the Work Crew this year!

This stage is half a football field on seven stages which you will assemble and disassemble! The stages rest on concrete footings and are linked by a grid work of aluminum beams, plat-formed with open waffle grids and front-surfaced with a molded fiber skin. The front stage is rigged with a ship's mast and sail using a counterbalance system.

Here is the scene where Christ visits the Americas. This is a very special moment in each of the seven Hill Cumorah Pageant performances.

Here we (Brother and Sister Krebs) are with the 2007 Work Crew.
Here is the 2007 Work Crew in front of the Palmyra Temple after completing baptisms.
Here we are with Brother Andy Adams of the 2007 Work Crew.

Here is our family as cast members in the 2004 Hill Cumorah Pageant.