“Theatre changes lives.”
If you’re listening, you’ve heard that from every drama program in the history of ever. You’ll read it in playbills from productions on Broadway, national tours, regional theaters, community, collegiate and public schools and in every summer drama camp and after school drama program you bump into.
“Theatre changes lives” is so often repeated that it runs the risk of becoming cliché and sounding like an infomercial running in the background. But here’s the thing: theater folk say it so often because it’s true.
A case in point? Last weekend’s four performances of “The Phantom of the Opera” at Kendall Hall Auditorium on the Yakima Valley College campus. To be sure, audiences couldn’t help but be changed by the experience; the score by Andrew Lloyd Webber is sweeping and the story is epic. It will stay with them for years to come. But the audience wasn’t the intended target of change.
The four sold-out performances were a culmination of the first ever “Pre-Professional Project” in Yakima. This was an intensive theater experience mirroring that of true professional theater process. The cast, comprised of young actors between 13-19 years old, spent the last three weeks of July, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, working as an ensemble to bring “Phantom” to the stage.
“I wanted to give youth of a wide variety of ages the experience of working in a professional theatre setting,” Ray Pritchard, YVC theatre arts instructor and Warehouse Theatre Company board member, said. He dreamed of this project and brought it to fruition by brokering a mutually beneficial partnership between YVC and the WTC. Pritchard was joined by YVC choral director Steven Slusher to handle teaching the difficult music of “Phantom,” and WTC’s Carol Garza took on the choreography for the show.
Four sellouts make the project a success by most measures. But what makes it a “life changing” experience? Perhaps it’s best to let a few of the dozens of participants speak for themselves:
The ultimate love triangle plays out in the final moments of “The Phantom of the Opera.” From left, Armour Johnson (the Phantom), Makadie Miller (Christine Daae’) and Jacob Dove (Raoul, Viscount de Chagny).
Connor Arvizu, actor/dancer: Knowing my directors, crew and peers could rely on me made me feel professional. The process taught me a lot about discipline which is important in all aspects of life. I’ve loved every moment of this show and meeting all of these wonderful people. Theater is for everyone regardless of their background. I believe everyone can benefit from doing theater, and the Warehouse and YVC are amazing places to do it.
Jacey Brugnone, stage manager: Our three-week “Phantom of the Opera” journey was a whirlwind of an experience. When Ray first introduced the idea to us, I quickly asked if I could stage manage as it had always been a goal of mine. Throughout the long days and nights during our rehearsal weeks, I felt as though I was in a crash course for stage managing with the best people helping me along the way. Brittany Winn took me under her wing and taught me everything with grace and kindness. She and the rest of the crew gave me the confidence to tackle this insanely difficult show from a different theatre “lens” than I had experienced before.
I am so thankful for the great cast of students and their consistent efforts throughout this entire process. I am also grateful to have been able to work with my fiancé Jordan who assisted Ray in his direction. “Phantom” truly felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity that can never be truly replicated. I’m very thankful for Ray and the entire production team trusting someone new like me and giving me the space to learn new skills.
Elyse Burger, backstage crew: The first whole run through with costumes and mics made me feel like I was part of something bigger. There was a step up to a professional level when our crew was in our black clothes and doing our cues on time; there was hesitance and unsureness before that. It was truly amazing to see and work on this production. It was emotionally and physically draining but such an eye-opening experience.
Riley Durham, actress: I’ve done quite a bit of theater, but this show has taught me to fully trust myself and my dedication to what I do. I loved it! Though it was tiring, spending eight hours per day for three weeks doing exactly what I love with a cast that I love has been the best experience. If you’re not familiar with this world, it’s an easy way to fall in love with the stage!
Armour Johnson, actor: From the first rehearsal it felt like I’d known these people for years even though I was pretty much just meeting them for the first time. I loved working with the whole entire team from top to bottom. The crew was awesome, the directors … all the people who came in to help with costumes were just amazing. The people here are all very encouraging and uplifting individuals. The experience helped develop and nurture important character traits like hard work, dedication, focus for extended periods of time, teamwork and camaraderie. And then at the end you get a performance which is a uniquely ephemeral thing that you’ll never get to experience ever again in your life.
“Phantom” is a special show for me. It’s my last one in the Yakima Valley and may even be my last one ever. My family is moving to Hawaii, I’m studying biochemistry (I plan to be a doctor) and there’s not a lot of time in there for theater stuff. Honestly, I think I’ll make some time though – create some – because I love doing it. This has been really meaningful.
These young theater makers’ appreciation for the project is obvious. They know that they’ve been part of something special, though they may not fully see themselves how much they’ve grown in just three weeks. Their directors have the benefit of being on the outside looking in, marking progress, and witnessing the growth from one week to the next.
Steven Slusher, musical director: Having played the Phantom and done the show before, I knew how hard it was. I had given the actors vocal assignments well ahead of our first rehearsal. and I was surprised (and pleased) at how prepared some of them came to the first rehearsal. They took this mini masterclass to heart, and I saw them internalize it, process it, and try their best to adjust their method as coached. While I was impressed on Week 1, Week 3 was even more impressive. The addition of sets, costumes, and props took the work to a new level. I saw the actors adjust and make changes immediately. There was clear growth.”
Ray Pritchard, director: The growth I saw in each and every one of these young actors over the last three weeks is nothing short of astonishing. ‘Phantom’ was an incredible production, but for me this was never about the product. It was about the process. It was about the hard work, the dedication, the determination, experiencing the happy moments and the tough ones. It was about seeing what it is like to truly live a life in the theatre, both onstage and backstage. Yes, there were stressful moments and at times raised voices, but in the end, I reassured them that we had an amazing product, but even if we didn’t the friendships memories and growth of each of them individually is what was truly important.
Judging by the comments above, Pritchard’s vision was realized, and the sold-out shows were merely the icing on the proverbial cake. The real takeaway appears to be… say it with me, “Theater changes lives.”
• Vance Jennings is executive director of the Warehouse Theatre Company. The company contributes a column in Explore every four weeks.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yakimaherald.com ’
