Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Tech crew members Dave Wolfe and Brianna Chenevey help assemble the set for "Li'l Abner," Fisher's spring musical.

Tech crew works behind the scenes in school play

By Shari Kaplan

In preparation for the Fisher Middle School spring musical, Li'l Abner, which opens March 14, more than 50 student actors are busily memorizing dialogue, learning songs and blocking their stage movements.

Without the 25-member technical crew, however, the actors would have no spotlights on them during dialogue, no music to accompany their songs and no props around which to move.

The crew is among the largest ever assembled for a Fisher musical, partly because so many students tried out to act that there were not enough onstage parts available.

Choosing to make their contributions backstage instead, the crew began preparing early for their responsibilities with a Feb. 7 afterschool workshop conducted by Nick Nicholas, technical director for the American Musical Theatre, formerly the San Jose Civic Light Opera.

"Technical theater is a true team effort. Even if you're just the guy who stands in the wings and holds a sword, imagine what would happen if you weren't there," said Nicholas, whose first theatrical experience was in an elementary school pageant.

Nicholas told students that whereas actors often struggle against an 85 percent unemployment rate, there is almost always a job for technical theater personnel, be it set construction, painting, lights, sound, makeup or other aspects. He also used dioramas to demonstrate how the moving slipstage and on-stage turntables worked in the AMT's recent production of A Little Night Music.

The week following Nicholas's visit, some of the Fisher crew took a field trip to the AMT Studios and the Center for Performing Arts in downtown San Jose, where they got a hands-on look at how important technical crews are to the running of a large theater.

"The kids asked a lot of questions and came away energized. After taking the tour, they learned a lot of things they're applying to our stage," said Joanne Talesfore, who is co-producing Li'l Abner with Caroline Haskin.

"They learned they're the working part of the theater. The ones on stage learn to depend on the ones behind the stage. I think they both develop respect for each other, which is what we want."

The costume areas and dressing rooms made impressions on several students, including Brianna Chenevey, who found it exciting to sit on the same seat Frank Sinatra once sat upon.

Evan Wernecke and Max Morse both said the trip was fun and educational, but added that it made them realize how small the Fisher theater is in comparison and how much more advanced the American Musical Theatre's equipment is. Both boys hope to pursue careers related to theater: Wernecke in costume design, directing or some technical aspect, and Morse in lighting and sound.

Student production assistant Libby Hunter said she wanted to be in Li'l Abner, but was not present for the auditions. As production assistant, she still gets to work with her friends in the show and also gains some theatrical experience. Although she said theater would be a "neat career," she will probably choose teaching because much of her family teaches. And, she added, the profession is more financially stable.

Li'l Abner will be performed March 14 at 7 p.m., March 15 and 16 at 8 p.m., and March 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 each. For more information, call Linda at 395-9516.