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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-07-03, Page 24., • • •• 1140::•014Y.T.H:HOUIV.IMER J.S.Stig .010 tho beginiang here ws )rt414,7 • 'aidStage- Maiiiiger, "'Eon Ferguson, des. eribing the 1401, StInnuer Festival in its first season six years ago,. - Ron. who has been with the feitivah- every summer since,ita creation, ,said vihen he arrived at the hall sir years ago, there were no blinds on the ,theatre• windowa, they had to borrow stage lights from n high schoOl and they had to make their own dinimer board to ContrO1 the "It really hadn't been used as a theatre for some time " he' said. • eo o xplain e one of the biggest reasons he -pulled through that year was the satisfaction he got froni his job and a collectiVe production he was involved with called Mostly in Clover. "It was a great feeling when the audience stood up clapping opening right." Over the 'past six years, Rein said the theatre has obtained better equipment and expanded the company, but even during --those -days-of -turmoili,they-alwaysTnimed-- for high quality productions, "I think we've always tried to remain consistent over the last six years," he said. OVER THE PHONE Originally hired by James Roy, artistic director for five years, Ron said he was interviewed and hired by James over the telephone. As stage manager, Ron describes him- self as being in the middle of things. 'The stage manager is sort of the person In the middle of all the actors, designers, directors and technical people,'" he said. Ron organizes rehearsatschedules, puts • together the production book, calls cues and generally acts as a communications person between the actors, directors and production staff. • During actual performances, he said,it's his job to see that everything runs smoothly. Originally from Toronto, Ron trained in theatre from 1972 to 1974 at Ryerson in the theatre productions course. Now living in Kitchener, Ron is Omit to cOMPlete..hiS,1 final yea 111 a social services cottrse at Conestoga 'College. The, veteran stage manager explained this will he his final year at Blyth. Although it looks iike he's taking almost . a totally different career direction from theatre, Ron said his 'job as Stage manager " • was almost a breaking ground for SQCial' work, explaining the concentration of work just handling people. • Since his school years at Ryerson, Ron has worked at Theatre New Brunswick With proditetIona Of The. Taming of the Shrew,. Vanities and The Price, as well as either productions 'in Toronto and London- • ALL,CONSCIVHNG Ron describes the simmer job as all consuming, • , "Over the summer before it gets better, • it gets vvorse," he said. Looking ahead, Ron said he want'i to continue with school and work on his master's degree in social work. Joining-iton .-as-stage_ manager -this-- summer will be Kathy Kaszas. It's her first year in Blyth, but Kathy has been working in theatre for the last three years. Obtaining ,her B.A. in fine arts in 1976 from York University, Kathy has worked for Theatre' Passe Muraille, Toronto Fac- tory Theatre, and last summer at Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend. She describes her job as being the "organizer." "r make sure people are there for costume fittings, rehearsals, just making slue that everything gets done." `"I act as liason person between directors and production people," she said. This year as the stage manager for St. Sam of the Nuke Pile, Kathy said her job doesn't have tricominate all of her lime. "If you're organized it doesn't have to be all -consuming," she said. "It depends on the other people doing their jobs too." , She said during rehearsals, she is responsible for taking notes and making diagrams. Not only for the benefit of the HOME OF THE COUNTRY CRAFTSMAN' The perfect spot to stop on that afternoon drive. Look at the hand made quilts and early Canadian furnit'ure and enquire about custom refinishing in the Antique Loft, wander through the Calicp.Shop and pick up your quiltihg materials see the Country Craftsmate9 work including folk -art toys, pine and hardwood - accessories, jewellery chests etc., then sit down and enjoy lunch or tea in the Miller's Country Kitchen 'Fon; t -g Carol Miller K ITCHEN OPEN 11 • 20 LUNCHEON SERVED It • 200 NOTE SUNDAY HOURS • MITCHELL, ONT NOR IRO "sr pe,,Coetill Seli,z0.kor EIttt4 A„ SO 0 .)frt' P1 ect..A UNIsCh 33 JiA—ars - •10.04.1"..dest — OPEN DAILY 0 20 • PS0 suriflAy- 12 32 • S 30 APRIL SO Dectusert SIS; 2211-$42. aeteta?-4*4iagrarMS iieiphi it:fringing: • stage 'lighting With' Vie 114b111P3 teC1110, dans. •• ' Bakis To AN END She added.She has no direct involvement in the "artistic creation" as stage manager but, "it is a means t� wend." She said it -is a step towaids her otiterinterest—direc- tins and writing. ao!fand Kathy a an istant.. stage.manager is Leslie Hogan. • . • -Leslie, .who's just coiripliting,. her first '. year at Niagara College In theatre arts 'deseribes her job as "common sense.” • .."Cofer it ter* for *Iutt Ob;"she Said with a at ,aile, • - Johla funded by xixperlence Progrtini, :and Lesfle. is , originA' from • Peamillerl She said' it was while she worked In Toronto as a bank teller, .that she decided, to ,get Involved mare apriottsly in :theatre. 'It was in Toronto that. I volunteered my' Services to several theatre's to do tecbnical ,things " he Said explaining it helped her gain some praCtical theatre ,experience. • • In September, Leslie said she is .not thinking of returning to Niagara College, but would rather continue hr :aPprentite ,woric„in another theatre. Left, Ron Ferguson, Kathy Kama and Leslie Hogan. Production mistakes are cOstly When Bruce Specht was phoning employers last,,,wia- ter trying to find his students summer jobs, he heard of a position that sounded so attractive, he took it himself. rte was teaching at Nia- gara College in the Theatre Arts program and Bruce said the. job as production mana- ger at the Blyth Summer Festival sounded too good to pass by. As manager, Bruce is responsible for all of the technical scheduling) making sure the sets are built on time, staying within a budget in constructing costs and meeting all deadlines. A graduate from York University with a B.A. in fine arts in production and design Bruce worked as,a set and costume designer for awhile, but decided it wasn't for him. He -slid as production manager. he works with the plans and designs resulting from thc director and designer's work together. "A lot of it is simply finding material and sup- pliers at the best possible price." He said one of the biggest parts of his job is to make sure all of the materials used ffir set construction meet the safety regulations involved, hicluding fir p codes. • Bruce will be employed as production manager until the end of September. Prior to his teaching position, the 25 -year-old worked road houses and •fdr a Toronto base51 theatre company called Angel. GREAT DEMAND "Most -technicians can just walk into a job. because the demand is so great," he said. But, he warns, you don't want to make any mistakes, because the industry is small and word gets around fast. "Budgets arc usually small and to make a mistake would cost a company too much money.•" After he has finished with his job at the festival, Bruce said he plans to look to the western provinces for a job. He added that the only reason he took the teaching job last year, was to pay off his car.' "Out there it is a.business. In Ontario, it is considered a ailtural experience." At the moment, he said salaries are much higher in the west and the demand is constantly increasing. • To go far in the field of ' production management, Bruce said it is important to have a good background in business. "It's also important to have a good administrator like Keith Roulston, who knows 'what is going on in theatre and understands," he said. This season. he said, has been "very well thought out" and should be well appreciated. The Van Egmond House,,Egmondville THE VAN EGMOND HOUSE AS IT APPEARED IN Me. Visit the Van Egmond Reserve, 1 kmrsouth of Seaforth. Immerse yourself in an important chapter of Canadian history. (Restoration in progress.) Donations for the building fund are tax deductible. Van Egmond Foundltion, f3ox 1033, Staforth, NOK IWO •1. •L •