Senior Vedant Balachandran balances on a ladder in the dim light of the stage, adjusting a spotlight for the upcoming musical. The sound of chatter and laughter erupts from the back, where the technical crew is eating snacks and telling stories to pass the time. Vedant’s eyes scan the intricate setup he helped create — for him, technical theater is not just about the lights and the sound, it’s about bringing a story to life. Meanwhile, his mind flickers to his next DECA presentation, where the lights of the business world shine on him instead. 

This duality defines Vedant. Known for his dedication to the behind-the-scenes craft of technical theater and his leadership in DECA, he thrives on both collaboration and creativity. Vedant’s explorations of these pursuits wasn’t planned, but they have become intrinsic to his identity. His journey with technical theater began much earlier, back in fourth grade. This love has carried Vedant through years of productions, dating back to middle school all the way to high school musicals.

“A friend told me to join this after-school club with him,” Vedant said. “I didn’t even know what technical theater was, but I gave it a shot — and I ended up liking it.”

In contrast, Vedant initially hesitated to join DECA, but at his parents’ insistence, he took a deep dive into the world of business and fully immersed himself into DECA. By sophomore year, he found his footing and earned a spot on the officer team, diving into leadership responsibilities and bonding with his fellow officers. Both technical theater and DECA require hours of preparation, but they have offered many chances for Vedant to grow and thrive.

“DECA has given me the opportunity to be part of a really amazing officer team,” Vedant said. “We’re close-knit, and it’s been a great way to work with people on projects while building leadership skills. I definitely learned a lot more about putting myself out there when I wasn’t comfortable with talking to new people.”

DECA teammate and close friend senior Sriteja Kataru appreciates Vedant’s methodical and collaborative spirit, especially when facing business challenges.

“He definitely does a really good job in first taking a step back and realizing the problem at hand in a very level-headed manner when he takes on a problem,” Sriteja said. “He takes on a really logical approach, and is always thinking about the next steps, rather than just dwelling on the problem.”

In technical theater, Vedant’s humility shines. It’s a role that stays out of the spotlight, but he still enjoys the process. Close friend and fellow technical theater enthusiast senior Varun Bhupathi admires Vedant’s dedication to technical theater, even though his work is frequently under appreciated.

“Technical theater isn’t a glorious job,” Varun said. “Vedant doesn’t do it for recognition. Technical theater is one of the most thankless jobs. It’s something he does only because he likes it. He knows he’s contributing to his show and that’s enough for him.”

For Vedant, the community built within technical theater, especially the crew, is just as important as the work itself. He values the important memories he has made with his team, noting its importance in strengthening bonds. 

“It’s a really nice group of people,” Vedant said. “Everybody’s really chill. Everyone’s really fun to hang out with. We’ve been trying to design our own merch as well. So we’ve been doing these random initiatives here and there. Right before our shows, we’ll go across the street, get poke, go to Lion’s Market, stock up on snacks and bring them backstage to the scene shop. It’s a really fun time.” 

Despite the differences between DECA and technical theater, Vedant notices common similarities that connect both, including the need for collaboration and open dialogue. 

“Technical theater can’t operate correctly without a team,” Vedant said. “You need good communication with the stage manager and good communication with light, sound and deck. Everything needs to work in tandem for a show to go well. That’s really important from a team perspective.”

Meanwhile, in DECA, teamwork and communication are essential to succeed in team-based competitions. Math teacher Caren Furtado highlights Vedant’s ability to adapt and truly be himself in class. Vedant’s easy-going personality helps him actively adapt to any situation, and in turn, help others around to change along with him.

“He will balance out the children who are very quiet and very disengaged with some kind of friendly overture that’ll make them part of a discussion,” Furtado said. “He brings a high quality of work to the classroom. If he’s sitting next to someone who’s not as great, then that person becomes better already. He just has something for everyone.”

For Vedant, success isn’t just about accolades or recognition. It’s about the small moments: the satisfaction of a perfectly lit stage, the camaraderie of a tech crew sharing snacks, or the satisfying thrill of presenting a winning solution at a DECA competition. It’s about collaboration, growth and leaving a lasting impression — not under the spotlight, but behind it.

Looking to the future, Vedant hopes to continue pursuing both his passions in some form. Vedant strives to pivot between careers and hobbies, and is especially inspired by Olympic runner Dee Dee Trotter, who transitioned from competing in world-class athletics to opening a bakery. 

“Dee Dee Trotter pursued her dream to run track, then pivoted into something completely different,” Vedant said. “That mindset — building success in one thing and using it to explore another — is incredible to me, and she gave me that mindset to try and try and don’t give up on your hobbies, but do something that you enjoy, that you can succeed at and then use that to bolster your hobbies.”