Setting the stage

Provided.

Director Kenny Chugg would love more volunteers to 'set the stage'.

The acclaimed classic murder mystery "Deathtrap," written by Ira Levin, opens at the BeeKay Theatre on Aug. 16. With four weeks 'til opening, Producer David Stenstrum and Director Kenny Chugg are working 24/7 to mold the cast and crew into creating a perfect, well-crafted summer blockbuster.

The Tehachapi Community Theatre Association, known to locals as TCT, is at the top of their game, having come a long way from the challenges of the pandemic. Each production seems even better than the last and continues to impress and entertain our audiences.

Have you ever given a thought to how TCT makes it happen? There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes and it usually starts long before opening night. In the biz we call it "mounting a production." What does that mean? It means putting every piece of the performance puzzle together. Let's look at where we are, using the upcoming comedic thriller "Deathtrap" as an example.

First, the play must be selected by the production committee and approved by the board of directors. Then royalties are paid. Audition and rehearsals can begin at least two months before the big night. The budget is set and production team gets down to business. It's all about collaboration. "Deathtrap's" team includes producer Stenstrom and director Chugg, who collaborate with set designer James Carhart, and prop mistress Silent Wolf. Karina Flowers, a relative newcomer to TCT, is thrilled with her first assignment as assistant director and stage manager. Costumes, publicity, website and ticket sales, as well as other incidentals are assigned.

We start with a bare stage and batch of super-dedicated volunteers. (There are never enough.) The crew is creative and inventive; hammering nails and painting flats to create a set that captures the essence of the play. Meanwhile, Chugg is whipping his cast into shape. "Deathtrap" has five characters: Sidney Bruhl, who hasn't written a hit play for 18 years; Sidney's wife, Myra; Clifford Anderson, a former student; Helga ten Dorp, an eccentric psychic; and Porter Milgrim, Sidney's attorney.

A hard-working Kenny says, "I'm having a fabulous time working with such a talented and willing group of actors. I am extra fortunate to have an exceptional understudy for the part of Clifford. Everyone is 'off book'. A rare accomplishment so early in the rehearsal stages. We're working on blocking, accent inflections and the minuet details of character development. We're going to have a great show."

It's all happening on the BeeKay Theatre stage where set builders work by day and the cast rehearses Monday through Friday by night. There is much more to be done before opening night. Stay tuned for the next installment. Shows Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Aug. 16 through Sept. 1.

Become a volunteer/member and join us. Call Karina Flowers at (661) 406-1129 for more information.