Description

The Stage Manager is key to the success of a production. It is fairly common for a community theatre to enlist the help of someone inexperienced and expect them to function as a Stage Manager with little or no understanding of the role and responsibilities or exposure to backstage duties.

The Northumberland Players uses a variety of unique performance venues requiring different levels of skills and experience. Therefore, for this introductory workshop we will deal mainly with the productions that occur in the Firehall Theatre.

The workshop will cover the following main topics:
I. First Steps to becoming a Stage Manager
II. Preparing for Auditions
III. Pre-Rehearsal Prep
IV. Rehearsal Responsibilities
V. Show Responsibilities
VI. Post Show

Facilitators

Brenda Barr-Worsnop – after more than 50 active years in community and professional theatre she is well known as a director, actor, stage manager, set designer and teacher/mentor across southern Ontario.  She was co-creator/owner of a murder mystery company, Games Up; has worked professionally in ASTRO as an actress and stage manager; has served on regional community theatre boards in all positions for over 50 years.  She managed to combine her administrative and theatre skills at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga in her job as Executive Administrator for five years, developing policies and guidelines both for theatre and business communities.  She has conducted workshops in Stage Management, Team Building, Set Design and Painting, Voice, and Children’s Theatre, as well as a number of business topics.  She is a Past President of the Eastern Ontario Drama League, past Theatre Ontario Board member and has been associated with Northumberland Players for the last 20 years.

Kara Besson.  Fourteen years ago Kara was cast in More Work Than a Puppy. It was such an exciting adventure working with such a talented and supportive group of people that she has continued with the Players.  Although she has appeared on stage she found a niche working as Stage Manager in wonderful productions such as Waiting for the Parade, Leaving Home. All My Sons, You Will Remember Me, Glorious and Looped just to name just a few.

She has worked in all aspects of theatre: Acting, set painting, props, and operating sound and lights.  She also worked as an ASM but it was in the role of Stage Management that she found  her passion. In total she has been an ASM 6 times, and a SM in 15 productions.  She has also been a mentor to some new SM’s in a the last few years.

She is a firm believer that anyone who is interested in theatre spends  some time working behind the stage. This is where you will learn how to be a better actor or even find a passion in doing one of the many jobs behind the scene available to everyone.

The Northumberland Players provides mentoring to anyone who is interested in experiencing what goes on behind the curtains and she is proud to be providing the opportunity for others to learn this complicated but fascinating job.