MIA CIECHALSKI
Life & Arts Editor
Design Elements from the TADA production of Book Women
Photo by DREW PALUCH | Photo Editor
Until April 17, students are receiving a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes elements of the university’s biggest productions.
Through their newest exhibit, the Emmitt Christian Gallery is giving the campus community a chance to get the inside scoop of the Theatre and Dance Association (TADA) and the students who work within it.
This exhibit gives everyone a chance to look at some of the costumes, lighting, props and sets from this year’s Walter Gloor Mainstage Series performances.
The shows that are being featured are “Legally Blonde,” “Così fan Tutte,” “The Book Women,” “Alicia’s Lens” and “Twelfth Night.”
Not only are some projects from this year’s previous shows being featured, but some of the theatrical production and design BFA major class projects are also getting the chance to be showcased.
Sophomore theatre production and design major with a concentration in lighting, Jaydon Zullo said, “The processes we go through often bridge the span of eight months, from our first design meetings to the stage.”
Many people don’t understand how much goes into putting together a show.
From all of the time and work that was put into all of these pieces, it is definitely an exciting opportunity for all of the students involved.
Jamie Mattheus, a junior theatre production and design major with a concentration in costumes, said, “This recognition by other departments is incredibly rewarding. So much effort, love and dedication goes into creating the pieces we produce for productions and class, and it’s so amazing to have it all in one place.”
The exhibit has an array of everything from costumes to lighting designs for everyone to see.
Mattheus included in the display her recreation of a “The New Yorker” magazine, some of her favorite costumes she designed from “Legally Blonde” and some other work from the School of Music’s opera “Così fan Tutte.”
Zullo’s creations being showcased in the exhibit include the light-up “Elle” sign from “Legally Blonde,” the projections display from “Twelfth Night,” a staircase and moulding project from Stagecraft, and the “Hollow Night”-inspired Scene Painting I translucency project.
Faith Reh, a junior theatre and production major with a technical direction/stage management concentration, has technical drafts that she worked on from “Twelfth Night,” the column section from “Legally Blonde” and many process shots from the scene shop for “Twelfth Night” and “Legally Blonde” being displayed.
Not only have these students created these pieces, but they also created many other pieces for these and other productions that aren’t in the gallery.
“A wonderful part of our program is that even when you’re not in a leadership position on a show, there is still the opportunity to help with the build of a show,” said Mattheus. “Even when I’m not designing a show, I’m still in the costume shop working on other shows that are in the process of being built. And it’s the same for other areas.”
Reh added, “We are all very fortunate to be able to contribute to every show we do on the Mainstage Series every year. For the most part, we have all had a hand in most of the productions that you see on the stage, whether our contributions are minimal or extensive.”
The students and department want to put an emphasis on this event and theatrical production in general — collaborative effort is one of the most important things to them.
“The audiences of our productions see the scenery, the costumes, the props and the lights in the context of the show, but our extensive processes and the training we’re receiving to complete these shows often goes unnoticed despite it being a crucial part of our work and curriculum. It was a blast putting this gallery [together], and it really highlights our strong values of collaboration and communication within the department,” said Mattheus.
It’s safe to say that without all of these students’ contributions, many of these shows would not have been what they were.
According to Reh, “It’s important that just as much as the actors need to be applauded for what they do, us tech students are here working just as hard to bring the theatre to life.”