Hammering and buzzing from chain saws is all that can be heard when first walking into the department of theatre and dance’s stage building area. 

Laurel Hansen applies a coat of stain to part of a play set Wednesday at Fine Arts Building. The first play in a series will be June 14. (Photo: Seneca Flowers)

The smell of wet paint fills the air.  One week–one week is all the crew has to design, wire and build the entire set for the first show of the UW Summer Theatre Serie–or as the old saying goes, the show must go on.

The UW-sponsored summer theatre’s first performance will be June 14 in the Fine Arts building.  

Monday was the first day of rehearsals and stage work. The crew appeared energetic on the first day; everyone was feeling optimistic, even though they only had nine days to complete the design and technical aspects of the show. 

Scene designer/technical director Ron Steger is one contributor for this optimism.  Steger has been working for the summer theater for three years and has over 20 years of professional theater experience.

When designing a set, Steger takes into account the amount of time the crew has to work, the demands of the script and size of the crew.  

“Crews usually get at least a month to work on sets,” Student employee Tyler Clark said. He also said this is the first time he has worked in a production that only has a week to finish.

Shop foreman Don Turner said the dedicated crew members will work even if they are sick.

The crew works eight hours everyday until the end of the show.  At the end of the last show, the crew strikes the set that night and only has one day to rest until they start on the sets for the next show in the series.  The crew estimates not to have any overtime on this production except for Saturday- the first technical rehearsal.

Lighting/sound designer Emmett Buhman said he thinks they are able to complete the amount of work they do in such a short amount of time because the student employees are so dedicated and focused on the work at the theater. The student summer theater positions are highly sought paid positions with fierce competition, Buhman added.  

Student employee Ryan Dunn has been involved in theatre for approximately eight years.  Dunn said he has worked during the spring and fall semesters but tends to enjoy working in the summer better.  During the school year, he has to attend classes, complete assignments and work hard on the set.  The summer theater allows time for Dunn to focus on the theater and test what it is like to work professionally for a theater.  

Company manager Kathy Kirkaldie said in order for the employees to do well they have to be self starters and willing to jump in; newbie technician Nils Beasley has been doing just that.  However, Beasley said there is learning curve to the process of set production.  

People on the same team and working towards a common goal always bring casts and crews together, whether it be a short deadline like the summer or a slightly longer one during the fall semester.  The cast and crew always work hard to ensure everything is done no matter the consequences.  

As put by Turner, they do it because the love of the theater.  Steger said that if he doesn’t learn something new with a production he doesn’t feel he did that great of a job.

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