By Ron Smith
One of the unique characteristics of community theatre is that no matter your skill, interest, hobby, day job, or retirement focus, we have a place for you. For example, suppose someone said, “My daily work is ‘to administer the server and data storage infrastructure supporting internal applications used by employees.’” I have no idea what that sentence really means. What I do know is that the IT person who said it also volunteers as an OBP set builder and backstage crew member. His name is Ian Cherry, and he is one peach of a guy.
Although born in upstate New York, Ian spent most of his childhood in Pennsylvania, graduating Downingtown Senior High School in 1999. In 2003 he earned a BS in Computer Science at Bridgewater College. Following a return to Pennsylvania, Ian moved back to Virginia two years later to marry Heather, his college sweetheart.
Ian and his wife Heather have lived in Broadway since 2012. Ian says, “(We) have two beautiful daughters who both attend Broadway schools. Addison (the older daughter) has grown deeply interested in designing and running the lights for the OBP, JFHMS and BHS. (Her sister) Cora played a character in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
So, why does an IT expert come to the OBP to pound nails, measure and cut lumber, and muscle a power drill as if he were Bob Vila? Seeing his expert work in building sets, I assumed he worked as a contractor, or perhaps a master craftsman. To my surprise, Ian said that he works for the internal IT department at Ellucian.
Yes, Ian Cherry is both an IT specialist and a theatre stage crew volunteer. I asked Ian if there is a connection between these two seemingly unrelated activities. Ian explained that he is process-oriented, a skill that translates well with his day job and with the construction aspects of his work with the theatre. He added that he thoroughly enjoys working with the theatre, because building a set forces his brain to work in a different way from his IT work.
In disbelief I asked him how he became so proficient in woodworking and set building. Ian replied, “I have enjoyed working with my hands for as long as I can remember. My
father and brothers had an interest in some form of woodworking. In junior high, I took as many wood and metal shop Industrial Arts classes as my schedule would permit. My I.A. teachers invited me to help with stage work for shows. I continued working on the
light crew throughout junior high and high school.”
Ok, so Ian does have prior training and experience with construction, but what led him to be one of our most valuable OBP volunteers? Ian continued, “When there was an opportunity to help with construction for the JFHMS Annie Jr production, I was very happy once again to combine my construction interests with participation in theatre. It was JW Fiske (OBP Technical Director), who asked me if I would be interested in helping with their production of Dearly Departed, and I have been hooked ever since.”
Ian has assisted in set construction for every OBP show since Dearly Departed
in 2022. He also has served as a member of the stage crew for three shows,
including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Sandy
Toes and Salty Kisses. Ian’s involvement continues with the upcoming November production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
I asked Ian what he enjoys about being on the stage crew. During a play, Ian, following along in the script with his notes on cues or props, is aware when the actors on stage make a mistake. He remarks, “It is amazing to listen and watch them recover, sometimes in a way that works better than what was written in the script.”
As an actor in a recent production, I appreciated the value of Ian Cherry backstage. In that show, I had to make around twenty quick costume changes. As two other crew members assisted me in switching costumes, Ian faithfully followed the onstage characters’ lines to give me the countdown of seconds I had left to return to the scene onstage. With his help, we were able to keep the show moving without delay.
Now an integral part of the OBP family, Ian shared his impressions of Broadway’s own community theatre. He comments, “I am grateful to the leadership and participants of OBP for welcoming me to work on productions. It has been deeply gratifying to contribute my skills and watch how productions progress from table reads to the final product audiences see.”
Ian exemplifies my point: regardless of your skill, interest, hobby, day job, or retirement focus, The Off Broadway Players have a place for you, too. You can be another one of our heroes, just like Ian Cherry: the mild-mannered IT specialist during the day who changes into an OBP Super Volunteer after work. Truly, a peach of a guy!
