Theater Arts Program Revives Cabaret at St. Edward's University
What brings sultry singers, a can-can kickline, a set consisting (almost exclusively) of 20 chairs, and a girl in a gorilla suit to the Mary Moody Northen Theatre at St. Edward鈥檚? It鈥檚 the Department of Performing Arts Theater Arts program鈥檚 production of Cabaret, a musical that remains as relevant today as when it first appeared in 1966.
Cabaret is based on a play based on a book, later adapted into a movie. It has seen numerous revivals, each with a slightly different set of songs performed. (The MMNT production follows the song selection from the 1998 revival.) Despite the glittery spectacle of the namesake cabaret itself, the setting is dark: 1930s Berlin, during the rise of the Nazi party. It鈥檚 a high-energy classic, but it鈥檚 not an easy story 鈥 nor is it an easy production to stage.
Calling the Shots
Behind the scenes, Hannah Wilson 鈥17 is hard at work as the production stage manager. She sits in on every rehearsal, taking notes on everything that happens 鈥 she knows where each set piece, costume and actor needs to be at any given moment.
鈥淚 call every single light and sound cue,鈥 she says. 鈥淔or this show, even though the set is simple and minimalistic, we have a lot of things coming from the light grid. I have to give a lot of extra warning for those because it takes time to set everything up.鈥
This amount of responsibility usually falls on the shoulders of a working professional, but Wilson has an impressive r茅sum茅 for a student 鈥 she has served as assistant to the director with Austin Opera and
assistant stage manager with Ballet Austin 鈥 and she鈥檚 not alone. A team of five assistant stage managers helps her keep track of everything, each with their own focus area (costumes, props, etc.).
Building the Set
The actual construction of set pieces, costumes and props falls to other team members like Jacob Foster 鈥18. On previous productions, Foster worked in the costume shop and as a dresser (helping actors with costume changes), but he found his theatrical calling as a scenic artist. And there鈥檚 more to it than just the fun of welding and using an array of tools.
鈥淔or me, when I listen to a story, I try to think of images that can further that story and are correct with its meaning,鈥 he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so nice to sit back and look at something you鈥檝e done when it鈥檚 on stage and people are living in it.鈥
Because the chairs must withstand complicated dance numbers, Foster and his team had to reinforce them all. They'll need to look good and hold steady as they convey a train station, a fruit stand and the cabaret itself.
Acting the Part
The acting side of things is no walk in the park, either. Every performer must sing and dance without the luxury of a proscenium stage鈥檚 back wall 鈥 because MMNT is a theater-in-the-round, each moment must be perfectly clear for audience members on all four sides.
For Emily Ott 鈥17, the role of Sally Bowles adds another layer of complexity. Ott has always seen herself as more of a Maria from The Sound of Music 鈥 a far cry from the seductive, manipulative Sally. After struggling to find a connection, she came to understand Sally as someone making the most of a time with few opportunities for women.
鈥淚n theater, it鈥檚 never about the words. It鈥檚 about how you say the words. There鈥檚 so much subtext,鈥 Ott says. 鈥淓specially with Sally. She鈥檚 so manipulative because all she cares about is getting what she wants. It鈥檚 so far removed from me as Emily, but I can see why the decisions she makes are valid and justified in her head.鈥
Putting It Together
For the cast and crew, every day is jam-packed 鈥 wake up early, work a part-time job, make it to class, finish homework, squeeze in a few meals on the go and rehearse for hours on end.
And is it worth it? Absolutely.
鈥淓veryone who's involved, whether they're sewing or acting or managing, is there because they want to be a part of telling the story,鈥 Wilson says. 鈥淚 don't think any of us would be doing it if we didn't think that was an important thing.鈥
Want to see it yourself? Cabaret runs April 6鈥15, 2017. Purchase tickets and take a peek at next season鈥檚 productions at the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.
Photography by Whitney Devin '10