A few minutes with... Sylvia B.

As the 2008-09 Mainstage Season was winding down, we had the good fortune to get a surprise intern in Stage Management. Sylvia B. was a student at The Bush School and was selected to do a senior project and she chose us!

But, we should just let her tell you in her own words.

Thanks, Sylvia, for all the hard work - we all feel incredibly lucky to have had you around for the short time we did. Good luck in all your future endeavors.

A Few Minutes With Don Darryl Rivera

A couple of weeks ago, we sat down for a video interview with Don Darryl Rivera, Puppet Coach for Goodnight Moon and Roger the rat-boy in I Was a Rat!

We started things off, of course, with an introduction:

At this point, embarrassingly, my camera battery died, as I had been unable to find its power cord that morning. But, the ever-resourceful Don Darryl reached into his backpack and pulled out a digital camcorder, and we were back in business.

And then we were foiled by technology again, as the saved video proved to be unreadable. The sound, however, remained, and so I've cobbled together a quick podcast of our interview. You can listen via the player below, or download the MP3 here.

Many thanks to Don Darryl Rivera for the interview and the technology assist.

Goodnight Moon runs in SCT's Eve Alvord Theatre through June 7th, 2009.

I Was a Rat! opens May 1st, 2009 in SCT's Charlotte Martin Theatre, and runs through June 7th, 2009.

A few minutes with Allen Galli from SCT's "A Tale of Two Cities"

Allen Galli, most recently seen at SCT in last year's hit Busytown, was kind enough to take a few minutes out of his busy tech. schedule to talk to us about A Tale of Two Cities.

A Tale of Two Cities opens Friday, March 20th in SCT's Charlotte Martin Theatre and runs through April 12th.

A few minutes with Tim Jennings

Our new (as of August) Managing Director, Tim Jennings, was kind enough to sit down with Behind the Curtain for a few minutes and talk about the path that led him to SCT, the state of TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences), and his favorite theatre memory.

Can't get enough? Tune in to Radio Disney 1250AM on October 12th at 6:30am to hear Tim and Education Director Karen Sharp discuss all things SCT with Kids Care host Dayna.

Video Coda

The great exodus is in full swing. The first of our summer interns left the fold last week, more will leave next week, and today we had to say goodbye to our PR/Marketing intern Anna Renzetti. Anna did a great job in support of Summer Season, and finished her last project today: editing this video interview with intern and Urinetown: The Musical Stage Manager Liz Carey-Linskie.

Summer interns! We love you and will miss you and wish you well!

The rest of you? Come down and check out the final weekend of Urinetown.

Meg Tully Speaks

Meg Tully is another aspiring theatre education intern at SCT sharing her experiences.

1) Why did you want to be an intern for Seattle Children’s Theatre Drama School this year?

Since the University of Arizona has a partnership with SCT I had been planning on applying for this internship after graduation for about two years. I feel that I would be better prepared for the internship if I waited until after I graduated and would also be able to stay in Seattle for the fall without having the obligation of going back to school.

2) Where did you grow up and get your theatre interests?

I was born, raised, and attended college in Tucson, Arizona. My family did not have an artistic background so my passion for theatre was somewhat of an anomaly. I really became interested in theatre around 6th grade when I discovered The Phantom of the Opera and other musicals. As a teenager I spent hours listening to show tunes in my room and participated in every play my high school produced. I’ve always known that theatre has been the path for me. So an education and a career in it has been the clear choice.

3) What have been your biggest challenges so far as an intern?

One of my biggest challenges I’ve encountered as an intern is learning how to interact with children in a way that consistently keeps them engaged. However, SCT has a very distinct style that almost all the teaching artists follow. This style is also modeled very well by the SCT Education Staff during intern training, so it has been relatively easy adapting on my own.

4) What is the most important skill you have learned teaching in the Drama School?

I have learned some a very valuable improv philosophy in our intern workshops with John Kaufmann. He really emphasizes the “yes, and” principle of improv, and this is applicable to almost every class, but especially creative drama.

5) Are there things you weren’t expecting that you have experienced?

I don’t know why, but I wasn’t expecting to have as much fun as I’ve experienced since being here. It’s been great having the opportunity to play again and just be a kid sometimes.

6) What is your favorite part of the day as an intern at SCT?

I can pinpoint a certain consistent part of everyday that is always my favorite because each day and week is unique, and I usually enjoy several parts of the day for different reasons. However, the best moments always come when all the students, the teaching artist, and the intern are completely engaged in the moment and in the creative process. Fortunately, at SCT these moments occur frequently.

7) What age group are you teaching and which age groups have you liked best? Why?

I have spent most of my time so far with 4-7 year-olds. I really like 4-5 year-olds because they have a strong desire to please and learn. I also find that they are very creative and often quite hilarious without even trying.

8) If you had advice for a future theatre education intern, what would you say?

Don’t be afraid of anything-just dive right into everything head firsts. Make friends with the other interns, go out, have fun, share stories. Also, take notes and learn as much as possible!

9) What do you hope to do after this experience? What is your next step?

I have fallen in love with Seattle and SCT’s program. I have decided to establish residency and participate in the theatre apprentice program that runs during the school year. I also plan on applying for the school year apprenticeship. I would like to develop a career as a teaching artist and theatre professional here in Seattle.

Sarah Malone Speaks

Sarah Malone is another theatre education intern working hard with the SCT Drama School this summer.

1) Why did you want to be an intern for Seattle Children’s Theatre Drama School this year?

I just graduated and wanted to gain more experience in the field to help prepare me for finding a job. Also, SCT offers such great programs so I knew I would learn a lot.

2) Where did you grow up and get your interest in theatre?

I grew up in Champaign, Illinois. My whole family has always been involved in the arts so I had a lot of early exposure. I started out as a dancer but ended up loving theatre when I was in my first play at age 14.

3) What have been your biggest challenges as an intern so far?

I would say the biggest challenge has been adapting to the SCT style of teaching. SCT has a very specific style and curriculum. They are wonderful. I still have a lot of learning to do.

4) What is the most important skill you have learned teaching in the Drama School?

I have been learning a lot of “tricks” so far. Everyone has their own classroom management style and it’s been great gaining exposure to all of those ideas.

5) Are there things you weren’t expecting that you have experienced?

I didn’t realize just how much in-depth training we would be getting. It’s great!

6) What is your favorite part of the day as an intern at SCT?

The whole day is full of adventures and every week is completely different, so it’s hard to say. What I really enjoy is journaling at the end of the day. It’s my chance to reflect on all that has happened and what I’ve learned.

7) What age group are you teaching and which age groups have you liked best? Why?

So far I’ve worked with ages 4-16. I honestly don’t have a favorite. I think each age group has its perks and its challenges. But if I had to choose, I would say the 4-year-olds. They were just so cute!

8) Who are the teachers you are working with? And what have you learned from them?

I have worked with Rosie[Currier], Keni [Cohen], Beth [Raas], Samara [Lehrman], and Keira [McDonald]. Each of them have their own style, so basically I have learned a lot, way more than I can even write.

9) If you had advice for a future theatre education intern, what would you say?

Get lots of sleep, journal about your experiences, enjoy it, and have an open heart and open mind.

10) What do you hope to do after this experience? What is your next step?

I will be moving to Chicago and will hopefully have a job at a theatre there in the education department.

Adria LaMorticella Speaks

Adria Lamorticella is a Summer Education Intern at Seattle Children's Theatre, and is the first of many Education interns you'll meet this summer at Behind the Curtain.

1. Why did you want to be an intern for Seattle Children's Theatre Drama School this year?

I love doing theatre for children especially because I just graduated from Western [Washington University] with a BA in Theatre Education. But mostly, I remember at a young age how amazing and moving theatre was for me. I thought this internship would be a wonderful opportunity for me to help make a similar experience possible for other children.

2. Where did you grow up and get your interest in theatre?

I grew up in a little town called Elmira, Oregon. No one in my family was really involved in theatre but we saw it often and I was enthralled with it. I took drama classes as soon as I could in middle school and have ever since.

3. What have your biggest challenges as an intern been so far?

During training week we were given SO much info, and it seemed like I'd never learn it all even though they honestly do such a thorough teaching job here. But it has been clicking and falling into place. Other challenges have been finding appropriate classroom management skills for each class since each group is different. But I feel like I've been learning so much every single day.

4. What is the most important skill you have learned teaching so far?

From the teaching artists, other interns, and the students themselves I have learned so much about classroom management. I know by the end of the summer the new things I will have learned will be able to fill volumes .

5. Are there things you weren't expecting that you have experienced?

One thing I wasn't expecting was how much the students teach me, on an intellectual level ( like, "actually Mt. Everest in in Nepal" said a 4-year-old). But also, you can learn about teaching all you want but until you're there with the kids you don't really know what it's like.

6. What is your favorite part of the day as an intern at SCT?

For me, the most amazing thing has been doing creative drama with the 4- and 5-year-olds who are so willing to believe. It is so heartwarming when you are acting out an adventure and on the spot you have to become a bear to give the students some clues, but then literally 3 seconds later you're your 'teacher self ' again and the kids turn to you and say "where were you? We just saw a bear!"

7. What age groups have you taught? Which do you liked teaching best?

I've taught 4- and 5-year-olds and also 9- and 10-year-olds. As I said before, the little ones can be just charming but on a regular basis I'd say my favorite age group is about 9- and 10-year-olds. They're still kids but they can be clever and witty. There are also generally less accidents involving drool and pee.

8. If you had advice for a future theatre education intern, what would you say?

Find time to take breaks, rest, and get good sleep. It feels like you're being overwhelmed with info in the beginning, but if you make sure to relax, when the time comes it all falls into place. And of course have fun! When you have fun, the kids have fun.

9. What do you hope to do after this internship? What is your next step?

Well, ideally I hope to act. Really, I'd love to act for SCT someday. That would be my dream. Unless I can be persuaded otherwise and continue on in the education program, which I hear happens quite often actually.

A few minutes with Sven Nelson

Behind the Curtain once again brings you up close and personal with a wonderful member of our staff: House Manager of the Charlotte Martin Theatre, Sven Nelson.

Keep checking back here for profiles of the people that make SCT go. And if you've ever asked yourself "What does a Stage Manager do?" or "What are SCT teaching artists really like?" drop us a line and we'll turn the camera on them next!

10 Questions for... Caety Sagoian

Caety Sagoian currently appears in The Big Friendly Giant at SCT. The Seattle Weekly said "it’s an exuberant Caety Sagoian who really steals this show with the hilarity she evokes as, among several small roles, a superstitious maid and berating Swedish queen."


How did you get cast in this show?

Well, I was asked to come in and audition for this show and I have to admit I was beyond nervous while I was waiting to go in for a callback! Although intimidating, it was one of the funnest auditions I've ever been to. Rita Giomi is an incredible director who really encourages her actors to play, and I ended up reading with Morgan Rowe and Jenny Sue Johnson, and we all ultimately got cast in the roles we read for. This is by far one of the most dreamy cast/crew experiences I've ever had!

What kind of artistic training & experience have you had?

I am a 2006 graduate from Cornish College of the Arts with a BFA in theater and an emphasis is jazz vocals. It is an amazing school that has really prepared me for the rigors of the theater world!

Who are you in this play? Tell us about your character(s).

I play Bonecruncher, one of the goofy mean giants, Rebecca, the little girl who has the golden phizzwizard dream, Mary, the Queen of England's maid, and the Queen of Sweden!

Are there particular challenges working with large costumes and puppets?

It takes some getting used to at first with our giant heads - what with focusing through the mesh and all, but our costumers are awesome and they've worked SO hard to make our costumes and giant heads comfortable, so we owe them a huge round of applause for making us look and feel as pretty as we do!

Do you identify with any particular aspects of the story?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the language in this story! Roald Dahl is an absolute wordsmith! His language is so much fun, and totally engaging - we know we're going to have a good audience when the BFG says 'crocodowndillies' and all the kiddies start to giggle!

What dream would the BFG deliver to you?

I love the idea that someone somewhere out there is giving me lovely golden dreams, so I think the BFG would give me something incredibly funny and silly to keep me laughing!

Why do you do what you do?

I don't know exactly why I do what I do, but I remember the first time I wanted to do it. It was my first time seeing a play, and it was Charlotte's Web at SCT. At that time, I wasn't aware of what it was to be in actor in a play, but whatever it was that I witnessed that day, I loved it. This feeling grew even stronger when I saw Romeo and Juliet just a few years later. I was about 10 years old and I knew at the end of that show what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I remember going down to the front of the stage and getting autographs and how exciting that was and how special it made me feel getting to talk to the actors. I feel absolutely, and unbelievably honored to be working with the same theater that forever changed my life as a child.

When you aren’t at SCT, what other jobs do you work or have you worked?

When I'm not doing theater, I do voiceovers. I'm the voice of a lot of video game characters on games like the Mario Nintendo games, Backyard Baseball, and I also voice and do on camera work for a national PBS show called The Biz Kids!

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Ohmygosh. I have NO clue! Hopefully Happy, and doing fun things!

You have the audience’s ear – what would you ask them?

If you could give a dream to anyone in the world- who would it be, what would it be about, and why would you give it to them?

A few minutes with John Patrick Lowrie

The cast of High School Musical has been especially generous with their time, and here is just one more example: John Patrick Lowrie plays Coach Bolton and spent a few minutes with Behind the Curtain.

SCT's production of Disney's High School Musical runs through November 24th.

Our first staff interview

This is something we'd like to feature regularly on Behind the Curtain - video interviews with members of our fabulous staff.

And it just made sense that the first interview we would share is the first face you would see as you walk in our office door. So, without further ado...