Before anyone can say, “Stage Left!” or “Break A Leg” or even practice a curtain call, much is done to open the season at The Soo Theatre Project. Multiple volunteers clock lots of hours (400+) performing a wide variety of tasks to be accomplished before the curtain is raised.
Taylor Brugman, for example, donated 170+ hours in one month. That is over 40 hours a week preparing for the opening season at The Soo Theatre Project!
And, just what was Taylor doing? Both he and his wife, Liz Brugman, were busy cleaning, completing required paperwork, and upgrading the technology in addition to…
Sorting and labeling boxes of supplies, ensuring fire evacuation maps are posted, checking all security procedures, mopping the stage, helping to clean nearly 750 theatre seats, hanging the large background stage drops, installing hangers for hoses and extension cords, testing lights, removing old can lights, cleaning back stage rooms, and making meeting arrangements with local entities such as the fire department and inspection offices.
There’s more! The sound system requires tuning and “cleaning” so that no buzzes can be heard as well as equalizing the music to the large theatre room with high ceilings.
Every year The Soo Theatre Project makes improvements to the theatre. In 2014, STP put power in the upstairs projection room. And, the sound system was upgraded.
This year, the upgrades again are quite exciting!
Because more electrical wiring was installed, it allowed more power for the stage. Now, The Soo Theatre Project is able to use the power stack it received from Jim Weir from the Mackinaw Theatre.
The power stack, a $50,000 donation, means the STP theatre now functions at the industry standard! This also means that performances will include all the colored lights available for more dramatic effect.
For the 2015 season, all this and more had to be done much earlier than normal with the Annie, Jr. performances in April. Since Annie, Jr., the theatre welcomed the annual barbershop night in May, “101 Dalmatians” this past Friday and Saturday, and rehearsals for “Camelot,” which performs Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 9, 10, 11 at 7:30 pm as well as Sunday, July 12 at 3 pm.
With all the efforts of multiple volunteers such as Taylor and Liz Brugman and with generous donations from people like you, come to all the shows this 2015 season and hear, see, and experience the difference!
Upcoming opportunities for students:
- Elementary Musical Theatre Camp: “ARF!” on Friday, July 17 at 2 pm after a week camp beginning Monday, July 13.
- Opera Workshop: A “Vocal Gala” on Friday, July 24 at 7 pm after a week beginning Monday, July 20.
- Dance teacher, Jenna Perry: Dance Workshops on July 13, 14, 15 for Tots for Toddlers, Movement and Introduction to Dance, Pre-Ballet/Ballet 1, and Beginner Tap.
- Dance teacher, Alison Cheney: Dance Classes for Intermediate Ballet/Beginner Pointe and Music and Dance for 2 ½ to 4 years old.
- Elementary Arts Exploration: Beginning Monday, July 27.
- Pre-School Music, Art, and Play Camp: Beginning Monday, July 27.
There’s always something for everyone at The Soo Theatre Project all year long. Visit: 534 Ashmun Street. Call: (906) 632-1930. Look: www.sootheatre.org. Like: FB @ Soo Theatre Project, Inc.
