So You Want to Put on a Show - The Backstage Crew

Many actors like to think that without them there would be no play. And, in terms of getting the message over, the words and the X-Men movie they are right. But without costume, scenery, props, lights, sound and people to build them, move them, operate them, the actors are lost. The Producers usually have a favourite bunch of people they like to work Watchmen comic backstage. Often Bratz com you get the right Stage Manager then they come with their own Crew, who will move scenery, set it up and take it down. But generally you must also find a Lighting Technician (who is prepared to work with the Stage Manager you have chosen) and a Sound Technician (ditto). This team of people, usually augmented by someone who manages the Props and the Costume organiser, is a vital part of the production. Without them there will be no show.

Someone has to be in charge of this backstage and it is always the Stage Manager, whose permission has to be asked if you want to walk across the stage even before the audience is there. It is this person who tells you where you can stand backstage, waiting to go on, who makes sure the scenery is perfectly secure, adequately fireproofed and stored safely when it is not in use. The SM must be seen as the absolute monarch of the backstage area.

Many SMs are very scary indeed. But they are fine if the cast and crew recognise that, in stepping upon the stage, they are entering on the Stage Manager's domain, and subject to the SM's rules and requirements.

This sound silly - but, believe me, it isn't. A strong SM leads to an organised and calm show, where everything goes like clockwork, as it should, and no-one is aware that there is a backstage crew at all. Scenery is 'struck' silently and new scenery moved on with the minimum of fuss. All the audience will see, if the curtains are open, is some shadowy figures moving purposefully about the stage. If the curtains are closed then the audience may be barely aware that things are being transformed for them.
Actors will do well to keep out of the way of any scene shifting, unless specifically asked to assist, as is sometimes done. Some directors will prefer that the audience be aware that things have to be moved, and will ask the actors to move things - hand-held things like perhaps a tree or two, stools, a table. But actors do not move great big stage flats - 1965 Topps baseball cards sir!

So, get your backstage crew right, have the meetings that decide how best to use them, and let the cast know how vital they are to the process, and you will have a calm, smoothly running show. The actors will be able to convince the audience of the magic they are presenting, and the audience will not know anything of the drama that is unfolding when the stage lights are out or the curtains are closed. And that is how it should be. Just remember when people are being thanked, to make it sound really loud and clear for the Crew. You cannot do it without them.

I am Dianna Moylan, in my mid-sixties, an ex-teacher who has spent a lot of her time doing stuff for amateur dramatic groups. I have directed, designed and made costumes, taught the songs and performed over many years. I live in a small house which is rapidly becoming swamped with doll house stuff which I build, sell and hoard. My site, http://www.diannadollhouses.co.uk is newly launched. I also sell on eBay. In addition to loving making dolls' houses I enjoy writing a lot and welcome this opportunity to have a say.

Unique Christmas Tree Themes

If you are a style maven who is a bit bored with the traditional then you might be interested in unique W S Kimball Champions tree themes. Here are some unique suggestions for christmas tree themes that are sure to be real conversation starters.

The Christmas Cocktail Party Tree

This christmas tree theme looks great on both big and small trees. First, if your tree is not a prelit tree try stringing it with a string of novelty lights instead of the usual egg shaped lights. You can buy plastic novelty lights in the shape of Chinese Lanterns (for a 50's feel), chili peppers (for that modern martini bar feel) and Pink Flamingos (for that Tikki cocktail party atmosphere.)

Then try decorating the tree with tiny cocktail parasols and multicolored cocktail picks. If your tree is really big you could also decorate it with plastic champagne glasses into which you have glued sequins Archie comics glitter. Miniature chocolates filled with liquor also make nice tree decorations.

The Gingerbread Tree

This most gorgeous of christmas tree themes never goes 1958 Topps baseball cards of style. It looks best on a green or Archie comics tree. Decorate it with gingerbread man cookies, red glass balls, tons of candy canes, red velvet bows
and homemade paper snowflake ornaments.

This tree looks great accented it with white or gold beaded garland or a bushy red or white tinsel garland. or icicle-look garland. Top it with a Christmas themed stuffed white or brown teddy bear.

The Chocolate and Gold Tree

This is probably the trendiest of the christmas tree themes described here. It looks great on a red artificial tree. The color scheme in this case is reds, browns and golds. Tiny twinkling gold and red
lights look best. Think of the eighties when you decorate this one. Decorate this tree with walnuts, pinecones and chocolates wrapped in foil. Gold coins are a nice touch. Then tie large transclucent gold
and red ribbons, using the kind of ribbon that has bendable wire inside onto the ends of the trees. The ultimate effect of this tree should be very opulent and lush.

The New Baby Tree

If you are celebrating the birth of a child or a child's first birthday this is a great tree to honor how happy you are about the new arrival in your home. The decorations suggested look great on
any kind of tree but you could consider buying a small blue or pink artificial tree. This is a good idea so any toddlers or infants around can't get ahold of any shed needles. Also if you buy prelit artificial trees then you don't have to worry about them yanking lights and pulling the whole thing down. If you have lots of toddlers around then you might want to opt for a small ceramic christmas tree until they are old enough not to grab at decorations and xmas tree limbs.

Pink, mint green, lavender and blue frosted glass christmas balls look particularly nice on pink or blue artificial trees. You can also decorate these trees with baby toys, baby bottles filled with candy,
teddy bears, baby booties and socks, pacifiers and wooden alphabet blocks. Little stuffed animals look great on this type of tree and a larger teddy bear or soft plush toy makes a great tree topper. If the
baby is a girl you might want to consider topping the tree with a doll dressed as an angel.

The Peppermint Twist Tree

This most minimalist of christmas tree themes looks fantastic on a bright white, prelit artificial tree. The color scheme of this is red and white but you can add a touch of green in the lights that you
string around it. Purists however think that keeping the whole thing red and white in every way looks best.

When it comes to the decorations stick with red and white round glass balls. Red and white frosted glass balls look much better than the conical ones. Also festoon the branches with as many red and white peppermint candy canes as you can find. Remember too that you can also stripe red or white christmas balls with white or red glitter by simply adding some glue in a striped shape to the ball and rolling it in the glitter.

You can also accent this look with red and white ball shaped peppermint candies. A large lollipop with red and white striping and surrounded by a sunburst bouquet of candy canes makes a great tree
topper.

The Sea Side Tree

This most unusual of christmas tree themes looks best on artificial trees in aqua or light blue colors. However it would also suit any tree that has a coral color such as light orange or pink.

This tree is decorated with treasures from the sea including seashells, sea horses, and ornaments made from aquarium decorations (treasure chests, coins and corals.) Strings of pearls can be used as
a garland and novelty lights shaped like seashells or even fish can be strung to enhance the aquatic theme.

The Snow and Ice Tree

This is one of the most unusual of christmas tree themes as it is white and icy blue instead of the more familiar red and green. First decorate it with a garland of novelty lights shaped like icicles or snowflakes. Your decorations should be made of see through plastic or crystal so it looks like the tree is dripping with frozen, glittering shapes. Instead of cotton batten, drape the tree with faux spider
webs or cotton shreddings to simulate boughs heavy with snow. You can even mound this cotton at the ends of the bough so it looks like it has been clumped there.

Your final step is to spray the whole thing down generously with flocking. Flocking is simulated snow that comes in an aerosol can. You can spray this stuff on just about any kind of tree including artificial prelit christmas trees and ceramic trees to make them look frostier.

This treatment is stunning on a white artificial tree but it also looks great on red, purple, blue or other artificial trees as all of the white provides a nice contrast to the tree's original color.

For more information on Christmas trees, visit http://www.o-christmas-tree.com - a year-round resource for all your christmas tree and decoration needs.