Behind the Scenes at Berklee Homecoming 2026
What's it like behind the scenes at Berklee? Our student photographers give a glimpse of pre-production, rehearsals, and day-of events in our photo essay series. Here, Emily Adie follows Marley Striem BM ’25, artist relations director, during Homecoming weekend.
Marley’s journey with Berklee began as a student working with Summer in the City, where she managed over 200 performances and gained experience in production and artist relations. Here, she prepares for Louis Cato’s open rehearsal on Friday, September 18, at Berklee’s David Friend Recital Hall, making sure everything is working properly and ready for the show. Her experience as both a musician and producer allows her to support the artists and help create a smooth performance experience.
Image by Emily Adie
Marley takes the lead, speaking to the group about what’s coming next and making sure everyone knows what to do. Her direction and focus help keep the team organized, on track, and ready for the next part of the open rehearsals before Homecoming starts.
Image by Emily Adie
At the Red Room, Marley makes sure everything is set up and ready to go for the evening's student concert. She checks in with the singers, gives them their final instructions, and helps get everyone prepared before starting the show. Her quick thinking and leadership keeps everything running smoothly as the performance begins.
Image by Emily Adie
Later that night, Marley meets with artists at the Verb Hotel, handing out passes and making sure everyone is ready for the next day. With the hotel buzzing around her, the night becomes part of the behind-the-scenes work leading up to Saturday's Block Party.
Image by Emily Adie
The next morning begins early at the House of Blues. Before the lights come up and the crowd arrives, Marley is already at work. She's on her computer communicating with the musicians and putting all the pieces of the event together. This is another side of Marley, focused and busy behind the scenes, holding everyone together before the music begins.
Image by Emily Adie
Walking into the Homecoming Block Party, Marley checks on the stage and vendors as the final preparations come together before the celebration begins.
Image by Emily Adie
With the space coming together, Marley heads backstage to check in with the performing artists, answer questions, and ensure everyone is prepared to take the stage.
Image by Emily Adie
Back at the House of Blues before the Homecoming After Party, Marley works alongside the artists and crew, helping with final preparations, testing equipment, and confirming everything is ready before the show begins.
Image by Emily Adie
After months of planning, coordinating, and problem-solving, preparation for the Homecoming After Party is finally done. It's showtime. As the lights come up and the in-the-round performances by alumni begin, the work Marley and the team put in behind the scenes becomes part of the experience onstage.
Image by Emily Adie
The work doesn’t stop when the show begins. Marley moves between changeovers, communicating with artists and crew and keeping the night on track.
Image by Emily Adie
Louis Cato and his band finish their After Party set to a cheering crowd. For Marley, moments like this show the payoff of the months of planning, coordination, and behind-the-scenes work that brought this event together.
Image by Emily Adie
With the scheduled performances complete, Marley introduces the open jam session, bringing students and musicians together for an unscripted night of music. Behind the spontaneity is careful coordination, making sure the final part of the evening runs smoothly.
Image by Emily Adie
For most of the night, Marley has been ensuring everyone else gets their moment onstage. Now, she picks up her bass and joins the open jam herself. As a touring musician and music director, Marley is no stranger to performing, but sharing the stage with the artists she spent months preparing for adds a different meaning to the moment. After coordinating the event from the other side of the curtain, she gets to step into the music she worked so hard to bring together.
Image by Emily Adie
As the night comes to an end, Marley steps out with a smile, taking in the moment after months of planning and a long day of making the event happen. From coordinating artists and managing the details behind the scenes to joining the jam herself, Marley experienced Homecoming from every side of the stage. What began as months of preparation ends with her surrounded by the music, artists, and community she helped bring together.
Image by Emily Adie
