There are many helping hands and heads that go into running the 16th Ave Theatre. During the 80 years since the society started, this equates to thousands of hours. So what do these helpers do?
The play is selected. It needs to be something that appeals to the director, and that audiences will enjoy coming to see.
Behind the scenes, there is the set to design, construct and paint. This may involve building door frames, stairs and walls. ‘One Man, Two Guvnors', which was performed at 16th Ave Theatre in November, had a pier, two doors and a fireplace. Usually, once the structure is in place the crew paints it to create the illusion of the scene.
Something unusual behind the scenes at 16th Ave is a record of each show, with quotes or the names of the shows written in paint or chalk along the back walls.
Props need to be collected or made. This may include furniture, luggage, paintings and tables, as well as small items such as dining room crockery.
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Behind the scenes sorting out the paint. |
Costumes are sewn, and shoes, hair, purses and jewellery assembled, and whatever else the actor will be wearing. These need to be fitted and match the director's notes.
The sound crew finds the sounds for the show such as thunder, door bells and car noises. The lights are set up and everything is tested during rehearsals.
Before each performance the stage is set up by the scenic and props crew. There is the wardrobe crew to wash and iron the costumes, a sound board operator, and a fly crew that pull on ropes during the show to bring in the drops that create the scenes.
Finally there is the stage manager, who is responsible for the whole production on the night. The curtain comes up, actors appear, and magic happens, thanks to many people involved on stage and behind the scenes.