The Show’s Backbone
Taking a moment to send out a special “thank you” to the folks who really run things around the theatre–our backstage team of Jenn Carlson (stage manager) and Christine Millette (assistant stage manager). Their work starts way before each performance and long after the curtain calls with tasks that are far less than fun. This show, in particular, has had it’s fair share of last-minute fixes and repairs with a cast of 20 in very active performances. We’ve had tub leaks, daily costume rips, and constant prop repairs on top of the standard show maintenance tasks that include dealing with wet clothes and destroyed cabbage. For a show so big, it’s amazing that Jenn and Christine keep it going, and they deserve their own round of applause.
Nice little article in the NYTimes about these unsung heroes of our industry, who don’t get nearly the accolades they deserve.
Thank you, guys.
August 5, 2008 at 3:52 am
Both Jenn and Christine really do tons of important work on this production, taking on many roles. Christine even acts in the show as one of the Institutions fiesty nurses–she’s our Charenton Nurse Ratched!
We’re lucky to have them both.
August 13, 2008 at 8:51 am
Thank you for posting this Michael. I have tried to let Jenn and Christine know how essential they were to this show and how much I personally valued them as colleagues and friends, but they certainly deserve this shout out on the blog. They deserve sky-writing proclaiming how awesome they are to the greater metropolitan area. Hence forward I only ever want stage management that has done military service. Those ladies got it done, and as you pointed out, there were costumes, tubs, whips and even rattles that had minds of their own…not to mention actors.
Here’s to Chris and Jenn. There aren’t words to convey my respect and gratitude for your work on Marat/Sade.