Backstage Crew

The backbone of the Drama and Comedy Club is, in part, made up of the backstage crew. Their actions go unnoticed (when everything goes properly!), but without these people, no production would ever take place. Many individuals work behind the stage, before, during, and after each production, to ensure that it takes place properly. The people who handle all the backstage work often aren't applauded for their work, but they are vital to every show or play that takes place on our stage.

Below are short descriptions of what is involved with the basic backstage functions. Want to become involved with one of these groups? Listed at the end of each description is the name of a person to contact for more information. We'd love your help.

Lighting

Stage lighting has several functions:

• Illuminating what is occurring on stage.
• Altering the perception of shapes onstage, particularly three-dimensional stage elements.
• Directing the audience's attention to an area of the stage or distracting them from another.
• Setting the tone of a scene.
• Establishing or altering position in time and space. For example, blues can suggest nighttime while orange or red can suggest a sunrise or sunset.
• Projecting text or graphics.
• Lighting may be used to project scenery or to act as scenery onstage.
• A lighting event may trigger or advance the action onstage.
• Lighting may be used to show only the areas of the stage which the designer wants the audience to see, and to "paint a picture."

Lighting design helps to create the environment in which the action takes place while supporting the style of the piece. We have acquired new equipment (robotic lights and more) which makes it possible to achieve very fine and interesting effects on our stage.

Come and learn how our light crew creates the mood for our plays and shows and become a lighting expert. For more information, contact Bob Nix at 623-214-8280 or lightingtech@granddrama.com

Sound

Sound technicians tune the sound system for the best use for a given production using various methods including equalization, delay, volume, and speaker and microphone placement. In conjunction with the director and/or musical director, they also determine the use and placement of microphones for actors and musicians. A sound technician makes sure that the performance can be heard and understood by everyone in the audience, no matter how large the room, and that the performers can hear everything they need to in order to do their job.

It is also sometimes necessary to locate and prepare "canned" sounds (train whistles, birds, thunder) that can be played as required during a play. Preparation of the musical tracks for use with the yearly Variety Show is a large but absolutely necessary job that ensures the production will be successful.

For more information, contact Ken Pierick at 623-214-9366 or soundtech@granddrama.com

Set Design and Construction

Members of the stage crew handle the building and painting of scenery for most productions, but our Variety Show and special productions require separate designs and more detailed construction and painting. Also special props for some shows need to be designed and constructed. In addition to what we do for the Drama and Comedy Club, we also help the Music Club with their Celebration of Music production.

Come learn and have fun with us. Involvement can be a few half days or more if desired for each production. Contact Moe Stein at 623-322-3774, or sets@granddrama.com

Set Creation and Moving

Members of the stage crew build and painting scenery for the various productions. After the scenery is complete, it must be moved  to the stage from various sites in and around Sun City Grand and assembled. The crew is also be responsible for moving scenery on and off stage during a performance as needed. After the final performance, the crew then dismantles the set and returns it to the storage area. There are no requirements for knowledge of tools or their operation.

Please contact Dick Bloom for more information: 623-556-5424 or stagecrew@granddrama.com

Costumes

All of us know that costumes are an absolutely necessary part of any production. But where do they come from? Most are created by members of the costume crew. After reading the play and/or talking with the director about the production, the costume crew begins searching for items that can be used as is, modified, or created to dress the actors and participants. When costumes cannot be created from existing items, the costumers shop for items (often at local thrift shops or costume shops, depending on the need) and begin putting outfits and ensembles together.

The ability to see possibilities in existing items ("This dress might look fine if we shorten it and add a sash"), to sew or otherwise create or find new clothing, and knowedge of period styles or the willingness to learn is all that's needed to join this crew.

Please contact Rosalie Chapman for more information: 623-214-0134 or costume@granddrama.com

Props

Props for use with our plays and shows are made or bought as necessary by the props director and crew. In addition to creating or locating props, these people are responsible for making sure props are in the right place at the right time during productions. If you feel creative, try your hand at creating one or more props for an upcoming play or assisting the props coordinator by gathering items that are needed, making sure they are available for rehearsals and the plays/productions themselves, and more. Props can be quite small (a piece of paper or an envelope) to quite large (recently one of our members created a switchboard). Yet each prop is a necessary part of the production and makes the show complete.

Please contact Brenda Young for more information: 623-544-5871 or props@granddrama.com

Makeup

The makeup artists have the fun job of making people look "pretty" (except for characterization) and feel good about themselves before they perform. Some of the makeup artists already have a background in makeup and their advice is always welcome. The makeup chairperson does training, keeps the inventory, cleans the material, buys new items, and establishes work schedules for each event. Currently, all volunteers are ladies and they have a great time together. While the group currently has quite a few members, you are welcome to find out more about what is involved in joining the makup artists' team.

Please contact Diane Russell for more information: 623-537-7086 or makeup@granddrama.com

Production

The purpose of the Drama and Comedy Club is to provide our residents with quality entertainment through the production of plays and variety shows. Working toward this goal has afforded our members the opportunity to bring forth their many talents in the areas of acting, singing, dancing, directing, staging, and technical (sound and lighting).

The production coordinator's responsibility is to assist the director by bringing together all of the individuals who possess the talent necessary to put on the production. The responsibilities of this group include set design and construction, props and furnishings, costumes, makeup, sound, lighting and special effects.

Please contact Stu Costello for more information: 623-975-2140 or production@granddrama.com