Meredith Parks, a junior dramatic art major, has
been doing theater for a long time. But she’s always been on stage, not
off it.
That changed last week when Parks began working as a crew member for PlayMakers Repertory Company’s production of “Henry IV.” “Henry IV,” which runs Jan. 28 to March 4 in rotating repertory with “Henry V,” is Parks’ first experience working behind the scenes of a professional production.
“I’ve acted for a long time, but my crew experience was pretty limited,” Parks said. “Crewing with PlayMakers has helped me to realize that there’s so much more that goes into a production than what’s on stage.”
The Department of Dramatic Art requires all undergraduate dramatic art majors to take a practicum in production with PlayMakers Repertory Company in costuming, scenery, lighting or sound. The goal is to give dramatic art majors an appreciation and understanding of the functions of a crew member of a professional theatrical production.
But most students dread the PlayMakers practicum because of the extreme time commitment it requires, Parks said.
“At first, I was very skeptical and apprehensive about it,” Parks said. “But now I’m starting to see that the practicum is a really good experience for those interested in doing theater after graduation.”
Parks said she has enjoyed being a crew member because she’s been able to get to know a lot of the actors and the stage manager of the production. Parks said her first few days as a crew member were hectic because she had a lot to learn, but now she’s starting to have fun being on the crew.
That's a good thing because the time commitment for “Henry IV” is especially great, given the show’s long running time, Parks said.
“'Henry IV' is super long,” Parks said. “The directors have made a lot of cuts to the show to shorten it, but it’s still three and a half hours long. It has two intermissions.”
Despite the length of the production, Parks said she thinks audiences will be engaged and attentive throughout.
“I think that audiences will really enjoy it,” Parks said. “It’s going to be a really fun show to watch. There’s a lot of comedy, a lot of action and a lot of drama.”
“Henry IV” is a coming-of-age tale of Prince Hal’s rise to power as King Henry V. The play leads into “Henry V,” which takes place almost a decade after “Henry IV.” Parks said the plays are not usually performed together.
“’Henry V’ is a totally separate show, so it’s really unusual that they’re performing them at the same time.”
Parks will be a PlayMakers crew member until the production closes in March. She said she has already learned a lot, and she expects to learn more.
“It’s been a great learning experience,” Parks said. “And it’s a stepping stone for realizing what my career could be like if I continue to do theater after graduation.”
"Henry IV" and "Henry V" will run until March 4 in rotating repertory in the Paul Green Theatre. Shows are at 7:30 p.m with additional 2 p.m. weekend matinees. For a complete calendar of show times, refer to the PlayMakers calendar.
Tickets range from $10 to $45. To purchase tickets, call PlayMakers' box office at (919) 962-7529, or visit the PlayMakers website.
That changed last week when Parks began working as a crew member for PlayMakers Repertory Company’s production of “Henry IV.” “Henry IV,” which runs Jan. 28 to March 4 in rotating repertory with “Henry V,” is Parks’ first experience working behind the scenes of a professional production.
“I’ve acted for a long time, but my crew experience was pretty limited,” Parks said. “Crewing with PlayMakers has helped me to realize that there’s so much more that goes into a production than what’s on stage.”
The Department of Dramatic Art requires all undergraduate dramatic art majors to take a practicum in production with PlayMakers Repertory Company in costuming, scenery, lighting or sound. The goal is to give dramatic art majors an appreciation and understanding of the functions of a crew member of a professional theatrical production.
But most students dread the PlayMakers practicum because of the extreme time commitment it requires, Parks said.
“At first, I was very skeptical and apprehensive about it,” Parks said. “But now I’m starting to see that the practicum is a really good experience for those interested in doing theater after graduation.”
Parks said she has enjoyed being a crew member because she’s been able to get to know a lot of the actors and the stage manager of the production. Parks said her first few days as a crew member were hectic because she had a lot to learn, but now she’s starting to have fun being on the crew.
That's a good thing because the time commitment for “Henry IV” is especially great, given the show’s long running time, Parks said.
“'Henry IV' is super long,” Parks said. “The directors have made a lot of cuts to the show to shorten it, but it’s still three and a half hours long. It has two intermissions.”
Despite the length of the production, Parks said she thinks audiences will be engaged and attentive throughout.
“I think that audiences will really enjoy it,” Parks said. “It’s going to be a really fun show to watch. There’s a lot of comedy, a lot of action and a lot of drama.”
“Henry IV” is a coming-of-age tale of Prince Hal’s rise to power as King Henry V. The play leads into “Henry V,” which takes place almost a decade after “Henry IV.” Parks said the plays are not usually performed together.
“’Henry V’ is a totally separate show, so it’s really unusual that they’re performing them at the same time.”
Parks will be a PlayMakers crew member until the production closes in March. She said she has already learned a lot, and she expects to learn more.
“It’s been a great learning experience,” Parks said. “And it’s a stepping stone for realizing what my career could be like if I continue to do theater after graduation.”
"Henry IV" and "Henry V" will run until March 4 in rotating repertory in the Paul Green Theatre. Shows are at 7:30 p.m with additional 2 p.m. weekend matinees. For a complete calendar of show times, refer to the PlayMakers calendar.
Tickets range from $10 to $45. To purchase tickets, call PlayMakers' box office at (919) 962-7529, or visit the PlayMakers website.
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