Behind the scenes of Lee Theatre's production of "Tuck Everlasting"
Photo by Multimedia Reporter Annie Youther
Lee University’s theatre program is currently in the process of producing “Tuck Everlasting” for their spring musical. For the next few months, the cast and crew will spend countless hours preparing for opening night.
The collaboration necessary for a production involves people with a variety of skills. While actors memorize lines and block scenes, the technical team handles the logistics of the performance.
Photo by Multimedia Reporter Annie Youther
A key element of producing a show is costume design. Sarah Grace Johnson, a senior double major in theatre and psychology, is serving as assistant costume designer this semester. Johnson has been spending her free time researching and designing costumes for the show.
Costume design is considered an integral part of storytelling within a production. Costumes help viewers understand the importance of the characters, connecting them through contrasting styles and color palettes to outline a story. Johnson begins her design process by researching historical context, sketching out drawings in her class and seeking approval from her superior, Khristina Scoggins, who is the head of the costume shop.
“Earlier production meetings are presenting designs, and getting the cool concept for the show put together,” Johnson said. “After designs are approved, we’ll just be itemizing who’s making what in the shop. So, we’ll hand out tasks to prospective people.”
After receiving approval, a team of costume designers will be assigned to work on different characters’ attires.
“Then during tech week, and after the show has opened, it’s just maintenance at that point,” said Johnson.
Props master is another important role behind the scenes. Props pull the show together by creating another world relating to the characters and the plot.
The process for props design is similar to costume design, though they are handled by two different teams.
“I do a lot of research on what they would have in the Tucks’ house,” said Laura Harris, senior theatre major with a deaf studies minor. “Then, I make it or find it online, or in our storage.”
Prop creating and collecting is a semester-long process. Harris said the job starts when the actors move off script and are ready to add in props. Since the final props are not necessary until tech week, Harris can fine-tune details throughout the rehearsal period.
Another critical aspect of stage production is technical design, which maintains cohesion within the production. The technical designers are in charge of meeting deadlines, building sets and keeping other design teams on schedule.
Lucas Branch, a junior theatre major, is the assistant to Technical Director Tom Lewis. Branch is in charge of building sets and assisting Lewis as the production develops.
“We have to build the framing components for sets after we receive and approve plans from the scenic director,” Branch said. “We make sure that all the things that people stand on are stable and won’t break.”
Branch maintains deadlines with actors and works closely with his staff mentor to align production goals.
During tech week, Branch is on stand-by in case of issues on stage.
“A lot of the work is done before tech, and then once we get to tech, I’m pretty much in house, sitting with my staff mentor,” said Branch. “And any time something happens with the set that’s not supposed to happen, we will try to troubleshoot it.”
The backstage team agreed the most rewarding part of their job is seeing all their creations in action during the show. The team hopes when the audience sees the show for the first time, they experience the entire world of “Tuck Everlasting” through props, costumes and technical design.
The crew believes a successful production is one audience members continue talking about even after the show has closed.
“Tuck Everlasting” will run from April 1 - 2 and 7 - 9 in the Dixon Center. For more information, click here.
