Baltimore Theatre's Unsung Heroes: September 2006

          If you are reading this column, I can only assume that you have more than a passing interest in theatre. But even if you don't know that much about it, you probably understand that it takes more than a star and a director to make theatre happen. Like most undertakings in life, it takes many people for something to happen; some of those people gain recognition for their efforts, others remain in obscurity, and keep on working.

          Recently, I asked the leaders of Baltimore's large (and growing) theatre community to stop their frantic pace and think of a person without whom their prospective shows wouldn't be what they are. With the start of the new season this past month, and the mother of all unsung hero tributes – A Chorus Line– opening on Broadway tonight, BroadwayWorld.com/Baltimore thought it was time to shine the spotlight on local talented folks who made a difference. Here are the Unsung Heroes for September 2006. Congratulations and thank you!

• Lizzie Jump, Producer/Stage Manager of Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? at Mobtown Players, named by Alex Willis Artistic Director/Director of Mobtown Players

Alex says, "Originally, Lizzie was just supposed to be the producer for this show. Being producer is hard enough, but when, with only three weeks to go before opening, we still didn't have a stage manager, Lizzie gallantly volunteered--without knowing what exactly she was getting herself into. So, in addition to producing the show, she is also stage managing for the very first time! And doing an excellent job at it, I might add."

• Jennifer Mikulski, Stage Manager of The Boys Next Door at Fells Point Corner Theatre, named by Anne O'Reilly, Producer/Vice President, Fells Point Corner Theatre

Anne says, "Sometimes it is very difficult to single out just one person, but not this time. She is listed in the program as the Stage Manager, the unsung hero of any show - first there last to leave. She is a wonderful and resourceful Stage Manager, she joined the crew with rehearsals already in progress and quickly earned the respect of the cast and Director by pitching in with whatever was needed. She even took on running the lights when our original lighting tech was unable to do the show. A combination of jobs made possible because her "can do" attitude infected the entire cast who all pitched in back stage."

 • Elaina Telitsina, Executive Director of the Baltimore Theatre Alliance, named by FUZZ Roark, Executive Director of Spotlighters Theatre

FUZZ says, "Elaina works tirelessly for all the local theatres. Her leadership in preparing for the Book Festival (Sept 29, 30) allowed for three days in which the Baltimore community was exposed to the widest range of local theatre possible. In three days over 13 events were staged at the BTA Theatre Tent, including readings of new 10 minute plays, workshops and discussion with and for local playwrights, and presentations from many past and future local productions such as Return of the Fifth Sister, Ragtime, Dreamgirls, and Angels in America."

• Sarah Washburn, Rep Stage Box Office Manager, named by Michael Stebbins, Artistic Director/Producer/co-star of Stones in His Pockets

Michael says, "[Sarah] has gone above and beyond the call of duty in September. Aside from being the Box Office Manager, she has recently taken on the role of House Management Supervisor and has also trained a new part-time box office employee. Sarah has been present for Stones in His Pockets opening night reception and several patrons have commented on her customer relations and customer service savvy. In addition to all of this, Sarah has also spearheaded additional Rep Stage mailings and has taken on the upgrading/overhaul of the new and improved Rep Stage website, www.repstage.org. – all during the month of September. Oftentimes, I think people assume that the person who you see at the box office window or talk to on the phone does that one thing only—and this could not be further from the truth in Sarah Washburn's case!"

And finally, two theatres are represented by multiple people (to name one and not the others would be as bad as not mentioning them!) who came together to create wonderful evenings of theatre:

• Mandy Hall, Stage Manager; Bill Jamieson, Technical Director; and Liza Davies, Props Manager for OPUS at Everyman Theatre, named by Vincent Lancisi, Artistic Director at Everyman Theatre. Vincent says, "Mandy Hall, Stage Manager for OPUS, runs a technically demanding show with over 300 lighting and sound cues. She is a stage manager extraordinaire who deserves recognition. Also Technical Director, Bill Jamieson for building the fantastic set. Also Props Manager Liza Davies for finding all those violins!!!!!"

• Karen Eske, Director of Theatre Services; Nicole Lewis, Assistant Director of Theatre Services and the House Managers and Usher Staff of the Hippodrome Theatre, named by BroadwayWorld.com/Baltimore BWW/Baltimore says, "Every theatre producer's nightmare came true on the opening night of the tour of Spelling Bee. The eyes and ears of the press, theatre tour personnel and the award-winning director of the show, were trained on the Hippodrome. Then, the soundboard crashed, one of the actresses became ill, and an unscheduled intermission happened! The entire house staff took it all in stride, smiling patiently through a barrage of questions, and probably more than one uncivilized complaint. The show went on, and it was thanks to these gracious, dependable troupers that the entire audience was calmed and comforted. Their response was thoroughly professional and way beyond the call of duty."    

          You don't have to be a manager or director to nominate unsung heroes! I'll be accepting nominations for October through November 3rd. The guidelines are simple: the person must be involved in a local theatre production during the month of October, and may not be the director, author or lead actor or actress in the show. Send the name of the person, their position in the show, the title of the show, and a brief (100 words or less if you can) explanation of their good deeds to jameshowardbww@yahoo.com.