Technical Crews for E&H Theatre Productions Taking on Greater
Responsibilities
 October
1, 2003 -- E&H sophomore Shanna Malone has been spending a lot of
time outside the classroom lately shopping for antiques.
But she hasn't been neglecting her studies. The
junior from Greenville, Tenn., has been searching for props for an
upcoming E&H performance of "You Can't Take it With You."
She is just one member of a large production team of
E&H students who are working behind the scenes to stage the
performance. And with this show, student crews have greatly expanded
their levels of responsibilities.
"Students have been more involved behind the scenes
than ever before," said Stuart Forstall, a junior double majoring in
theatre and international studies. "The technical aspects of this show
have been completed almost entirely by students. It's taken us a lot
of time, but it has been rewarding."
The Emory & Henry Theatre Department works regularly
in association with the Barter Theatre of Abingdon. A professional
theatre with a long history, the Barter is the state theatre of
Virginia that claims as alumni such actors as Gregory Peck, Ernest
Borgnine and Patricia Neel.
The E&H theatre faculty as well as professionals at
Barter seek to help E&H students to be more independent in their
theatre pursuits as they explore and develop their talents. "I've been
giving them quite a bit of latitude," said E&H theatre professor Tim
Baumgartner, who serves as technical director for "You Can't Take it
With You."
"I've never had to go out and search for props
before," Malone said. "The process involved going into antique stores
and looking for the perfect pieces to fit the period of this play. I
began to develop a good eye for what I was looking for. It will
definitely help me in the future."
The 18-member technical crew includes a stage
manager, a sound engineer, prop workers, wardrobe workers, a light
board operator, a sound board operator and a house manager. Many of
the crew members, however, will assist in a variety capacities beyond
their designated responsibilities.
Malone says she enjoys seeing the production coming
together. "There were moments when I felt like we were never going to
make it, but here we are," she said.
Forstall said with each production he has learned a
great deal and believes the experience will be very valuable for him
should he pursue a career in theatre.
Baumgartner said the student crew is gaining not
only good experience for theatre, but learning important values in
team-work, responsibility and self-motivation. "This is very much the
way we approach liberal arts at Emory & Henry. In the case of theatre,
you have to be very aware that all aspects of theatre are very
important. And these students have been very excited about this and
have been working well together."
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