Shannon Gaskarth – Contributor

Graphic courtesy of Damita Melchi

The Bishop’s University Drama Department is not only dedicated to teaching students performance work, but also in giving students the opportunities to learn and work in all aspects of production. The New Plays Festival is an event that showcases the diverse skills of students from all disciplines within the world of theater. This festival is unique as it is entirely student driven – from page to stage – with students of varying years of experience all coming together to create six one-act plays. Student actors, directors, stage managers, and designers each bring their unique perspectives and skills to the table that creates a dynamic learning environment where we learn from each other and push our boundaries of creativity.

This is my third year participating in New Plays. This year I stage managed and did lighting design for Popped! Written and directed by Kate Vandermeulen. Stage Managing is the organization aspect of production that holds a cast and crew together. As a stage manager, I communicate and organize meetings between different technical departments, take notes during rehearsals, keep everyone running in accordance with deadlines set in our production schedule, and am ready to face a  variety of creative obstacles. 

When it comes to performance days, my job is in the tech booth, where I call all the lighting and sound cues for the show. This means staying in tune with what the actors are doing onstage and making sure the Lighting and Sound operators hit the cues at the correct times. Stage managing is a lesson in overcoming challenges, but has also deepened my admiration for the work that goes into the performing arts.

Lighting design, on the other hand, is a full creative aspect of production. I fell in love with lighting because of its ability to build atmosphere and highlight the skills of the actors onstage. The way light can transform a space, evoke emotions, and guide the audience’s focus is truly magical. Working with lighting design taught me the importance of precision, collaboration, and most importantly: that the behind the scenes is just as important and FUN as being onstage. It allowed me to contribute to the storytelling process in a visual and impactful way. This multifaceted experience in both stage management and lighting design has intensified my desire to pursue a career in theater.

The New Plays Festival stands as a testament to the power of student-led initiatives in the arts. It is a platform within Bishops where students have the opportunity to apply skills taught in classes. Students from the lighting design class last winter and students currently in the intro to technical theater class are given hands-on opportunities to continue learning their craft.

By integrating classroom learning with practical application in these student-run events, we gain a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to run live-theater. Support the Arts!

Photos courtesy of Kate Vandermeulen