collaboration of many people , build self-esteem , learn to work side by side with adults , and even overcome stage fright .”
Each production runs for about a month , with eight to twelve performances . The spring 2013 teen musical , Legally Blonde , played to sell-out crowds . Local high school students served in acting and singing roles and as stage crew members who helped with sound , lighting , sets , props and staging .
“ The kids had a great time and got a lot of valuable experience from participating in the musical ,” Mandel said . “ The teen cast and crew were very talented . They learned significant acting and dance skills , and experienced how to commit and deliver on a goal while working alongside other teens from varied backgrounds .”
The Magic Behind the Scenes
For its main stage productions , SVCT licenses the rights to perform popular plays and musicals from the theatre organizations that own them . Licensing generally includes access to scripts ; orchestration , choreography , set design and staging information ; templates for promotional materials ; and the many other details that go into making an authentic , high quality production .
Highlights of the SVCT 2014-2015 Season
City of Angels , May 23 - June14 Adult thriller / contemporary jazz musical
Oliver !, August 1 - 23 Family musical performance of the Charles Dickens classic , Oliver Twist )
Proof , September / October ( drama )
Little Women , November / December Holiday musical performance based on Louisa May Alcott ’ s book by the same name
Shrek , February / March 2015 Teen Musical
Seussical , April / May 2015 Children ’ s musical performance of a Broadway production based on selected books of Dr . Seuss
The Producers , July / August 2015 Based on Mel Brooks ’ Tony award-winning Broadway musical-comedy of the same name
“ BIG ” Teen Musical , 2013
Photos provided by South Valley Civic Theatre
SVCT ’ s play selection committee is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and theatre experience . After months of reading scripts and researching plays and musicals , they narrow down their list of choices and present those to the SVCT Board for a final vote .
“ We attract talented amateur actors , dancers and musicians from all over ,” Mandel said . “ It takes about six to eight weeks to put together a large , complex musical . These people are very committed to their craft and devote many hours to be in a production . They do it for the love of theatre .”
SVCT has access to a large warehouse not far from the Playhouse . It is here that volunteers meet to design and construct sets , hold auditions , conduct rehearsals , and work out all the stage , sound and lighting direction for the production . “ We typically move into the Playhouse about two weeks before opening night ,” Mandel said . “ We transport all the sets and equipment from the warehouse and focus one week on all the technical aspects of staging , rigging , and other details .
The second week focuses on production preparation and dress rehearsals .”
An upcoming production not to miss , City of Angels , will be performed from May 23 through June 14 . This adult musical comedy / thriller portrays the misadventures of a novelist attempting to write a screenplay . The audience is in effect watching the making of a movie within the framework of the play . The actors transition from characters in the play to characters in the movie , and back again . The setting is 1940s Hollywood , complete with a private eye , homicide and a few femme fatales , with contemporary jazz music as a backdrop .
“ Theatre is a very special art form ,” Mandel said . “ As a live performance , it offers a close connection between the actors and the audience that is not possible with movies or television . I invite those who have not been to a performance at our beautiful playhouse to come , experience , and enjoy it for themselves .”
S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y
53