My Summer Stage-cation
August 4th, 2010A guest blog post by BFA Acting candidate Christine Quintana
After 8 intense months of training, rehearsal and performance, most theatre students are grateful for their summer holidays and see them as a brief break from their theatre lifestyle. Not me, apparently. In September I’ll begin my final year of the BFA Acting Program, but all this summer I’m working part-time for Bard on the Beach and the Arts Club Theatre Company, and I’m also working full time at Carousel Theatre, and loving every minute of it!
This year marks the 20th year of the Carousel Theatre’s Teen Shakespeare Program, and I’m here working as the Marketing and Audience Services Coordinator for their summer production of The Taming of the Shrew. In the Program, 16 teen actors undergo an intense 4 week rehearsal process culminating in a fully staged production which runs for 2 full weeks free to the public. It’s my job to do everything from getting posters and fliers printed, writing and pitching the press release, taking press photos, to eventually acting as House Manager as we welcome over 3000 audience members to our show over the two week run. It’s hard work, but it’s the best experience a theatre student could ask for!
Christine works behind the scenes at Carousel Theatre
I work with the incredible Carole Higgins and Jessie Van Rijn, who run Carousel Theatre as the Artistic and Managing Director and General Manager respectively. I feel lucky to go to work every day and learn from such talented women who are leaders in the Vancouver theatre community. I’m so glad to be working behind the scenes because I feel it will make me a better and more professional actor – the things that don’t seem like a big deal (“Oh, sorry, I’ll get my program bio in on Friday…”) can cause massive delays in important administrative or stage management projects! A successful production means all hands on deck, and I’m so thrilled to be on board with Carousel Theatre for their summer show.
Christine does the photo shoot for Carousel's free outdoor show "The Taming of the Shrew"
I’m blogging and tweeting all summer leading up to the run of The Taming of the Shrew from July 30 to August 14. I hope you’ll come out and see our show – bring your friends, it’s completely free! I am excited to be back at UBC come September, but I’ll miss my Carousel Theatre family when I go.