By Jean Fiske
Anyone who has talked to my husband, J.W., about his varying roles as a part of Off Broadway Players (be it working on sets, stage managing or acting) will find his response to be: “I’m just hanging out.” Well, not to be outdone by him, I have come up with my own slogan: “I’m just having fun!” In speaking with others who have participated in OBP shows, they totally agree with me! We’re all just having fun! Now if we’re honest here, I know that in addition to “hanging out,” my husband is also “having fun!”
One “fun” thing about being in an OPB production is the friendships made. OBP is a family. Sometimes we have parts of the same family in a production, but many times, we have actors and crew who are new to our family. Liam Roderick, a student at Spotswood High School, had his first experience with Off Broadway Players when he played Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He told me, “The group welcomed me with open arms, and I will proudly say that this is the most fun I have ever had in a theater environment.” Alex Trissel, a student at Broadway High School, who has acted in shows with Off Broadway Players for several years along with her younger brother Daniel, said, “Everyone is so nice and welcoming, and I can’t wait for the next production!”
After our last production, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” I was thanking each member of the cast and crew for their amazing contributions to making the show the awesome production it was. Ian Cherry, my husband’s right hand man, told me that he loved helping with shows. He said it was “fun” being part of each show. R.B. Propst said basically the same thing. Only theater veterans would know how much we rely on our crew. They’re rarely seen, but they’re everything to the directors and cast! We could not have the quality of shows we have without them.
In addition to set changes, our crew has told us when to go on stage, looked for people who may not be in place, helped with costume changes, handed us our props, put them away for the next show and performed most of the set strike after the last show and so much more! And what do they say? “It’s fun!” What about sound and lighting? What would the shows be like without all the different types of lighting? What about the music for musicals? It’s more than just playing a track and letting it run! What about sound effects? Without any of these people, shows would be mediocre at best. Why do they do it? Why do the crew as well as the cast give up four nights a week, sometimes five, sometimes weekends to bring you a production? Why do we all put our lives on hold to bring you a production? Because it’s FUN! Do we get tired? Of course we do, but once we get to a rehearsal or performance, we think of you, our audience, our patrons, and we want to bring you the best production possible. A production that you will enjoy! So, whether you want to act, help backstage or with production duties, help front of house or come support our hard work by attending performances, come join our family and just have fun!
