Backstage at the Theatre workshops

Sheila Stafford

Aylmer’s Act Company held a successful series of Backstage at the Theatre workshops, Saturday, January 19. The five workshops covered the lesser-known parts of a theatre production, the responsibilities of the director and of the producer, plus the tasks of handling costumes and props, lighting, and the job of stage manager.

Shaun Toohey explained the director’s job, from knowing the script thoroughly to being able to communicate a vision of the entire production to everyone involved, plus guiding and directing them toward those goals.

Joyel Singfield noted that a producer is akin to a Project Manager and is involved from choosing the script to the final clean-up. Holding the purse strings is a big part of the job, balan-cing costs with the budget. A producer needs five skills, said Ms Singfield: to be organised, able to make quick decisions, be a good negotiator, diplomatic and have plenty of energy.

Costumes and props was given by Linda Perry-Cyr, who has been involved in the work for twenty years. The work includes not just clothing and equipment, but orga-nising teams to sew, paint, cut and paste and then put it all together. The lighting workshop was led by Raivo Nommik, a lighting design consultant with considerable experience in theatre production. Modern technology has altered the field considerably and Mr Nommik gave his participants an excellent overview, said one ACT member.

Stage managing was presented by Peggy Henderson. She stressed atten-ding all meetings and staying on top of any changes in the production. A week before the first performance, stage managers take over so they can run the show technically. This is when the director sits back and says nothing. Managers cue everybody from actors to curtain to lighting. Stage managers must be everywhere at once, be able to absorb detail and be on good terms with everyone.

ACT is planning two spring productions in Aylmer.

(FR)