Our Town is a new kind of play for students to perform. Cast and crew are adjusting to new minimalistic set, lighting- including a large projection of a moon onto the stage, types of characters that require more understated acting and larger quantities of lines. But there is always a constant for the theater department: the support. SPA alumni and families have been donating and otherwise supporting the school’s arts program for years.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Huss Auditorium held a donor appreciation event titled “Behind the Curtain,” allowing visitors full access to the auditorium and backstage area. The event was set up in stations, each one component of production.
When alumni walked through the scene shop, they were taken through the process of designing and building a set, from how long it takes, to navigating set-up with school assemblies often utilizing the stage.
Students at the costume fitting station answered questions as they tried on costumes and attempted Edwardian Gibson Girl hairstyles, as traditionally seen in Our Town, by wrapping their hair around cotton-stuffed nylons.
During rehearsal, the audience witnessed live lighting adjustments narrated and explained by Severson.
“We … designed a sunrise/sunset background with a light that has a moon design,” senior and lighting designer Josh Holloway said.
“If I had already graduated from SPA,” , “I would definitely come back [for this event] because each year we do something bolder and more complex with the lighting design,” he said.
Guests also witnessed the use of Foley sound effects: noises created live and amplified from backstage as opposed to sound effects played from a computer. “There’s weird things that they have figured out that make sounds,” director Eric Severson said, “you know, an old school washboard and a whisk to sound like an old push mower. Holding onto a bell and trying to make it sound like a crack of an egg.”
“Behind the Curtain” offered alumni, parents, and former teachers a glimpse of the current culture of the school, specifically the community within the theater.
“The other piece of the choice of Our Town is that I have the most racially and gender identity diverse group of theater kids right now,” Severson said, “And the thought of the most iconic, classic Americana play being populated by what I see America looking like now really excited me.”
Senior Aarushi Bahadur’s role exemplifies the difference in SPA’s interpretation of the play. She took on the role that was originally written for a man, but has worked with Severson to appropriately adapt the character.
“Seves has given me some amazing notes that have really helped guide the character and find her within these lines written in the 1930s, and that’s what’s been the most exciting and challenging part for me,” she said.
Bahadur also enjoyed the “Behind the Curtain,” event; “When I gave my little monologue and I saw … the audience responding to the things I was saying, that made it all worthwhile,” she said.
Donor appreciation event “Behind the Curtain,” celebrated the school community and its connectedness, support, and commitment to the arts.
“Thank you for what you do,” Severson said, addressing the audience. “You allow me to play and create with some of the most incredible students ever.”
