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Techs challenged by Christmas Carol

This production, which starts Dec. 13, has three times the normal number of sound, lighting cues
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While audiences are laughing away enjoying Echo Players’ Christmas production this month, members in the technical team will be very busy above them.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol has three times the normal amount of sound and lighting cues, which means stage manager Linda Attley, sound designer Denise Schuetz-Jones, and lighting designer Ken McCready won’t be taking any long breaks.

“I’m very pleased to be involved in the technical aspect because there’s so much involved in it,” said Attley. “It’s probably one of the busiest shows that we’ve had here in years, regarding the lighting, sound and special effects.”

The stage manager is involved right from the start, attending every rehearsal, prompting the cast, organizing the back stage team, and calling all the cues.

As the sound designer and sound operator, Schuetz-Jones organized all the music and sound effects. She said she had some fun with the sound effects for the upcoming production, like one where thunder fades into music.

Lighting designer McCready, said his main challenge was using a lighting device called a scrim, something new to the stage. This essentially means using fabric to light parts of the stage separately and achieving a number of special effects.

“So suddenly we can’t use a lot of our lights, they have to be at a shaper angle, they can’t light up the scrim from the front.”

There are over 65 members involved in the Townswomen’s production, and Attley will be busy organizing many of them back stage. Once the show starts she’ll be up in the control centre with McCready and Schuetz-Jones and there will be no shortage of work to do, but she’s happy about that.

“We’re either doing a sound or lighting cue every minute, which is busy, and that’s why I think it’s fun to be involved, it keeps us on our toes.”

The Townswomen’s production puts a fun twist on Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol. The dramatic society strives to put on a show despite many obstacles, but can they do it?

Don’t miss Echo Player’s slapstick Christmas production running Dec. 13-29. Matinee performances will be especially geared toward children (recommended eight and up).

Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. Stop by the box office in Qualicum Beach during office hours at 110 West 2nd Ave, or call 250-752-3522 or email info@echoplayers.ca.

 

Visit www.echoplayers.ca for more information.