When we sit in a theater watching what’s happening on stage, we aren’t really thinking about what’s happening backstage. But, what’s going on backstage is every bit as important as what’s happening onstage. From assisting actors during costume changes to changing the scenery all in a matter of seconds, theater tech performs its own magic.
The technical part of theater has always been an important part of Canterbury’s theater productions – and Canterbury students are working just as hard backstage as the actors are onstage.
Ildiko Sandor is the current stage manager for the upcoming spring musical “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum.” Her job as stage manager is to put together the script for the actors, help run the rehearsals, lead the technical crew and actors on what they need to do, take attendance, and help Mrs. Dreeke, Theater Director, with whatever help she needs. On the night of the show, she calls lighting, sound, props, and scene changes.
“I love being part of our theater and tech family. It’s so rewarding seeing everything come together,” said Ildiko. She particularly enjoys watching actors suddenly find themselves in their characters, and how they are able to assume their roles.
After being stage manager for two years, and a part of technical theater for three, Ildiko has learned that “anything can be done with enough teamwork and determination. Even in the longest nights of the play, if you are with people who love to be doing what they do, there is never a dull moment.”
According to Ildiko, good communication is essential for a smooth and successful production. “Without communication, nothing gets done,” she says.
Ildiko encourages people to participate in theater, either on or behind the stage, because not only will you gain skills from doing things like building sets, but you also become part of a larger family.
It was about 20 years ago when Mrs. Dreeke took over the theater program – and she really took it over. She was the director, the set painter and the tech director. She enlisted the help of her husband, Mr. Dreeke, who took pity on her. He and a buddy helped Mrs. Dreeke build and paint the sets and scenery. Mr. Dreeke is still an integral part of theater tech, along with a cadre of dedicated students.
“If you have a show without lights, the audience can’t see the performance. If you don’t have sound equipment with someone running it, you won’t be able to hear the performers. Now you have light and sound, but where is the audience? Are they in a street, on a corner, on a road? Without scenery, light and sound, and without a theater, you don’t have a show,” said Mr. Dreeke.
Every show is different, with its own technical requirements. Lots of hands make quick work, and Mr. Dreeke plans accordingly. The more help, the easier the sets are to build. For example, for the upcoming show “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” all the sets are being made from scratch, and because Mr. Dreeke has enough technicians to do the work, it won’t be extremely difficult.
Out of all the many productions Mr. Dreeke has been involved in, his favorite was “Pirates of Penzance.”
“When we were finished building that boat, and the way it separated and put away into the wings of the stage – that was definitely the biggest highlight of my career here at Canterbury. There were people on campus who were convinced we had an actual boat on stage, and that was pretty cool,” he said.
So, the next time you’re enjoying a play at Canterbury, don’t forget to appreciate the work that’s going on behind the scenes.
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