With a couple weeks of performances under our belt, some things are beginning to feel routine around the Players campus. The new interns are settling into the meal and work schedule and were excited to have their first set of workshops with company members.
Master Electrician Michael Trudeau led a class on the theater’s sound and lighting equipment to familiarize the interns with their new work environment, and last week Master Carpenter Lauren Shell led a class on special effects makeup, sharing tips she has learned.
The internship program is a vital part of the Peninsula Players mission to foster future generations of theater professionals.
This season eight production interns will rotate duties every three weeks; as a new show opens they’ll switch day-time and night-time duties. They will rotate between the scene shop, costumes, properties and backstage running crew with duties such as lighting and sound. Three administrative interns assist in the box office, manage the canteen and work as audience liaisons as house managers.
Another vital part to Peninsula Players is the variety of events we sponsor during the season, from our post-show discussions, backstage tours and our ever-popular Saturday Seminars.
In conjunction with productions, the Players offer public tours of its stage house and all-weather audience pavilion. Free backstage tours begin at 2 p.m. Sundays, June 23, July 7 and 28, August 4, 18 and 25, September 8, 15 and October 6.
Those interested in a backstage tour should phone the box office to reserve a spot on a tour as space is limited and available on a first-come first-served basis. We can accommodate 20 to 25 guests per group.
Our first post-show discussion was held last week. If you want to stay after a performance and ask the cast, directors or designers questions about the production please join us at “Once a Ponzi Time” Friday, July 12; “Sunday in the Park with George” Wednesday, July 31, “Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot” Saturday, August 17 or after the performance of “Miracle on South Division Street” Tuesday, September 10.
We launch our Saturday Seminars Saturday, June 29 in conjunction with the closing weekend of “Saloon” with a conversation with Jim Draeger, co-author of “Bottoms-Up: A Toast to Wisconsin’s Historic Bars and Breweries (Places Along the Way.)”
Seminars are a free offering the Players provide. We do suggest to sign up in advance as we can only accommodate 50 to 75 people. Seminars are held from 2:30 – 4 p.m. at Peninsula Players. Forthcoming topics will be announced for July 13, August 3 and 24 with Saturday’s in the fall yet to be scheduled.
To learn more about our season line-up visit our new website at www.peninsulaplayers.com, the backstage tours, post show discussion and Saturday Seminar dates can be found under the “enhance your PP experience” tab. Or call the Box Office at 920-868-3287 for more information. I look forward to seeing you by the bay, where the sun sets, the curtain rises and the stars shine.
Audra Baakari Boyle is the Peninsula Players Business Manager, celebrating her 19th season by the bay.