The curtain slowly rises, the lights become dim, and the stage comes to life. A story full of characters once written on a piece of paper turns into an unforgettable experience for viewers and actors alike. The glamorous presentation of the opening night, however, did not come easy. What audiences see as a short effortless performance was actually months of painstaking preparation. In the NHS theatre program, the production team, crew, and instructors have been developing the Noises Off play through a rigorous, time-consuming process.
Beneath the surface are the frequent rehearsals, extensive design planning, and incorporation of lightning and sound systems used to enhance the play’s storytelling. Gabe Carney, an actor who is playing two characters, Freddy and Phillip, says how the play holds a unique story that audiences might not expect at first glance. But Carney gives a small preview on the play and the way it centers around the unconventional theatre experience.
“It’s basically about people trying out for a play and showing the behind the scenes part that most people wouldn’t consider. So it’s like a play in a play,” Carney said.
Gregory Richards, co-teacher of the theatre production class and designer of the production’s stage set, appreciates the more surprising elements of the storyline. He says the avant garde nature of the show and provides an amusing yet humorous plot for audiences.
“It is a British farce with scenes showing the rehearsal and performance by a problematic cadre of rather inept actors of a play with a ridiculous plot. Ridiculous. Absurd. Farcical. Expect to laugh throughout the performance at the stupidity of it all,” Richards said.
Richards says the captivating and complex nature of the play involves a lot of planning and most especially with the design of the set itself. He says the production required a careful, detailed process of creating the stage and reaching the final product.
“We read the play and make note of its physical requirements. Then we meet with and talk to the directors. We look at 30 or 40 ideas from professional and amateur production images we find online. Next, we brainstorm the features we like from the images we’ve studied,” Richards said.
Once everything came together, the plan moved forward and students joined in, bringing the draft to reality. Richards looked after the construction work in class, while students used what they learned in class to assemble the sets. Devon Puetz, a senior who operates the audio board for the production, had to overcome difficulties within his own role in the production of the play.
“The hardest part with the mics this year is definitely hooking it up to the props because usually we will prop up the mics onto the set, but this year the whole set is rotating 180° since it’s double-sided. So if we put the mics on it for the first half of the play, then in the second half of the play, they will be behind the set,” Puetz said.
Stage crew, Paxton Shock, focuses on helping throughout the play as scenes transition one to another. His role allows him to stay connected with his peers and contribute to the play behind it all. Shock sees his role as necessary and just as important for the rest of the members of this community.
“I’m on the stage crew and my job is to move the props in between scenes, so far the stage crew hasn’t done much, but I’m excited to work with my friends on stage crew and see my friends in the cast. Even if they’re not on the stage they still play a really big role because the actors wouldn’t be able to do anything without their help,” Shock says.
Mia Gordon, an actress in the show playing Mrs. Blackett, says she will cherish her memories of her role and has enjoyed small moments during rehearsals. Gordon says the comedic and lighthearted nature of “Noises Off” brings together a community where she feels the story can turn into a memorable part of the theatre experience.
“I play Dottie Ottley slash Mrs. Blackett, she’s the house keeper. Especially this year I’ve met a lot of people in theater and I just feel like the cast we have for the show is really tight knit. It feels like we all just joke around a lot while still learning our lines,” Gordon said.
Puetz sees this play as an opportunity for audiences to become introduced to the theater arts through the uniqueness of the performance. He finds that the show can even help with bringing viewers a different understanding as the set takes shape.
“One of the scenes in the play is showing the process of a rehearsal, then in another scene, you’re watching what’s happening backstage as the performance is going on,” Puetz said, “It kind of gives people that are unfamiliar with the theater world a new perspective.”
