Newark Ohio Online Blog

Thinking “Outside the Box” Office #1

Hi all, this is Ty, Arts Administration Intern & Humble Box Office Employee. Now, while I spend most of my time in an 8 X 16 office with my co-worker and cohort, Box Office Manager Laura Scheer, I do venture out onto the theatre grounds at times.  One such adventure saw Laura and I sitting at the top of the theatre watching a dress rehearsal of Into the Woods (which opens Thursday, get your tickets now! Call 740-366-4616, you may even get to talk to me)  Our usual work day ends at 6 but Laura and I got into a groove designing our lobby display, which includes a fantastic paint and chalk tree designed by General Manager, Kirsten Upchurch. So, having stayed around we decided to check out the run. Hearing the vocal warm-ups and seeing the beautiful costumes (designed by Tory Depew) on parade, we were drawn in. Even before the run began, Production Stage Manager Kelsey Rudiger gave me an all-important task: to get her a Venti Iced Vanilla Latte with 2 EXTRA shots of espresso. She ensured me that she wouldn’t start the dress rehearsal without me, and that with her caffeinated pick-me-up the show would run much smoother. I’m just happy to know I am contributing in some small way. I sat atop the theatre with lighting designer Jennifer Sansfacon and Master Electrician Brian Moore. I teased them about a spotlight that “missed its’ spot” because a set piece was moved to a different location. They assured me that it would be corrected in the morning. Despite this, I still mentioned it every time the light came on.  I don’t think they were too annoyed. In fact, Jen started doing a little softshoe tap routine at the lighting booth, so I know for a fact she was in good spirits.   During one of the 5’s (5-minute breaks) Prop Mistress Meghan Chandler pointed out that I misspelled her name on our display map in our lobby. She reminded me that her name has an “H” in it and said that I had “failed.” I quickly printed a new label, and covered up the one that said Megan.  Happy now, Chandler? Gosh.  As for the dress rehearsal itself, it was quite enjoyable. The set (designed by Adam Liston) is colorful and quite functional. It’s amazing to see what he has done with the space and the scenic elements.I try not to single out an actor’s performance but Darien Crago’s stand-in performance as Milky White, Jack’s cow, was hilarious. I had doubted the casting of a person in the part of the cow, as I’d only seen it done with a prop. I was mistaken. Having a person in a cow suit is quite amusing.   The company had a lot on their plates as the scenic, costume, lighting, musical, performance and prop elements all got incorporated at the same time, for the first time.  They made it work, even though they had to stop and start to polish certain parts. I can’t wait for tomorrow night. I know the presence of an audience will send this production over the top. It already has so much potential. It’s just missing one thing: and that’s you! So, please get your tickets tell your friends, and fill our theatre with laughter and excitement. See you there! - Ty