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‘Antigone’ backstage managers prepare for opening night
Students in charge of blocking, lighting and sound cues for the ‘Antigone’ April 29 debut adapt to pressure by going through ‘hell week’
The Advocate
With less than a week before opening night of MHCC’s production of “Antigone”, Elise Gruenwald is writing down blocking, lighting and sound cues, getting ready for the big night.
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“I’ll be the one calling them (the cues and blocking) during the actual show,” Gruenwald said. Gruenwald, a 20-year-old theater arts major at MHCC, is also the backstage manager of “Antigone.”
“I’m basically the person who’s the main communicator. I’m the one who helps keep everyone at the same level,” Gruenwald said. Gruenwald added that this means “making sure the actors have their blocking down, their lines right.”
This is in preparation of what Gruenwald calls “tech week,” or “hell week.” This is when the actors are “pushing through” the show to make sure everything runs smoothly for opening night. Gruenwald said the experience is “totally worth it” despite the craziness.
Before becoming backstage manager, Gruenwald previously worked as assistant backstage manager for this year’s MHCC production of “Guys and Dolls.” While Gruenwald hasn’t noticed much of a change in duties, she’s all too aware of the changes that will come opening night. While the assistant backstage manager works “in the wings,” Gruenwald will be in the booth calling the shots.
“What makes me nervous is that I don’t have power anymore,” Gruenwald said. “I’m totally going to be out of my element not having control of things in the back like I’m used to.”
That’s where Brian Wagner steps in. As assistant backstage manager, Wagner said he will be the one to “make sure actors are where they’re supposed to be, when they’re supposed to be.” However, Wagner said, “I’m confident for the whole tech aspect.”
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Gruenwald also said she is confident. “If I don’t have time to do something because I’m preoccupied with something else, he’s (Wagner) my right hand man, he’s my go-to guy.”
Having been assistant backstage manager before, Gruenwald has had first-hand experience of the “constructive chaos” that goes on.
“You know what it’s supposed to be like, you know where the outcomes are supposed to be, but how you’re going to get there you don’t really know,” she said.
Having made the transition from assistant backstage manager to backstage manager, Gruenwald said, “I think what I like most about what I’m doing now is that I’m starting off small. It’s (“Antigone”) a lot smaller cast, a lot smaller set, not so many props.”
However, the time frame for the production is much faster paced. While “Guys and Dolls” was a two hour and 45 minute show, “Antigone” is only 90 minutes, which Gruenwald calls “a big jump.”
When it comes to combining production management and school, Gruenwald said it comes to “just staying on top of things. It’s like school — if you fall behind you won’t catch up. If you have to stay up till 4 (a.m.) in the morning doing your homework, then so be it.”
Before coming to MHCC, Gruenwald said she had always liked theater. She first got involved in high school and has been going ever since.
“I know it sounds cliché, but I just got bit by that bug,” Gruenwald said. The main attractions for her were the sets, the costumes and the work that goes into making a production happen.
“It’s so cool to have all that chaos backstage,” Gruenwald said. “It’s all hectic.”
Gruenwald plans to move to Seattle after finishing at MHCC to pursue a professional career as a backstage manager.
“I actually want this to be my career,” Gruenwald said. “It’s a good experience.”
When it comes to the finished product, Gruenwald said, “You have such a pride (when) everything comes together.” She added “And the audience never knows that chaos."