A&E Stage managers key to PGSS’s Laugh Attack
W
hen it’s opening night for a play, the job of the director is largely done. The stage manager is the boss once that first curtain rises. It’s the stage manager’s responsibility to make sure the props are in their place, the actors are situated correctly for their entrances and exits, the special effects technicians are cued to go and the action out in front of the audience has the proper support from the unseen areas of the theatre.
When Prince George secondary school performs this semester’s junior drama production, a set of skits collectively called Laugh Attack, it will be a pair of students in that key backstage role.
Victoria Schinkel is the daughter of drama teacher/director Shannon Schinkel but took on this heavy responsibility all of her own accord.
She is only in Grade 8 but already has experience at this at the high school level.
Cassidy Brunn is in Grade 12 and she’s been doing this for years. Laugh Attack will be her last opportunity in high school to take part in a production so she is savouring the moment and so is Shannon Schinkel.
“I’m very sad that this is her last time with me,” said the teacher, and she isn’t the only one in the PGSS drama department who thinks so.
The group of them founded a trophy last year, the Theatre Grit Award, which was created in order to give it to Brunn, and in future will be bestowed to the student who lives up to the Brunn standard of hard work and commitment to PGSS drama regardless of the size of their public spotlight.
“Cassidy did (The Old Folks Home) with me back in 2014 and she has come back to be my stage manager every semester since then, which means she does this on her own time, taking herself out of classes and has to stay caught up on that work to take on this volunteering that’s so important to her and her goals in life. She is also enrolled in courses at the college. She is an exceptional student.”
The CNC courses are in the criminology field. She promised her mom that she would pursue show business while also developing a backup profession.
“But if I can get the funds, I’m going to Vancouver right away after graduation,” Brunn said. It’s not a move she’s making with stars in her eyes. She enjoys characterization, but she is also drawn to the technical side of the drama professions.
“For me acting is not enough,” Brunn said.
“I’ve gotta have all I can get, so that’s why I do the stage managing. I keep coming back because it’s something special to me and I can’t stop being involved.”
The junior Schinkel understands that inexplicable magnetism as well, which is one of the reason her mom paired her with Brunn, so the peer professionalism rubs off.
“I did acting throughout elementary school, ever since I was six,” said Victoria, now in her first year past Pineview elementary school. “I saw all of my mom’s shows, and I got to see the background of it all, so being a stage manager was something I wanted to do. So much happens behind the scenes that the audience doesn’t know about, but it’s essential for the actors to do their parts. That’s exciting stuff to do. What happens behind the curtains is much different that you probably think, and it’s a lot of work.”
She is doing some lines on stage during Laugh Attack just to help out when other actors weren’t available. She got to do these little help-out jobs even when she was still in elementary school.
“I love drama, but I also love helping. It’s important to volunteer for your community,” Victoria said.
“Ms. Schinkel is someone who wants to push you past your boundaries, and get you thinking more deeply about what theatre is,” Brunn added.
“She gives people these opportunities if she sees it will help them get to a better place for themselves. A stage manager not only helps the show run, you’re part of helping make people find their strong points and become better people because of the art they’re making.”
Laugh Attack happens at Vanier Hall at PGSS on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. It is admission by donation with all funds raised going to the cause of juvenile arthritis.