Technically... The show must go on. By Chris Inouye



I was asked to assist in the two-act play of Prodigal in Ukraine, not really understanding what I would be doing, except to support the production. What a great opportunity for a native-born Californian! As was to be the case, background pictures for scene changes and a translation in Ukrainian and English would be displayed during the performance. T

hat was my job! It sounds simple, yet little did I realize how inspiring, nerve-racking and rewarding it would be all at the same time.

This was in a foreign country, with different customs and norms, with two weeks to prepare. The goal was to learn the script, understand the scene changes, and positively interact with the cast and crew.

It was an exciting challenge when the venue continually changed in both size and location. Keeping the flow and allowing for changes at every site was a learning experience. Inspired, I changed the translation lettering to be larger, huge in comparison to the English. Some sleepless nights were spent resizing, fitting and refitting the translation so that it fit correctly on the stage background and screens for each venue and performance.

Actors are real people, fallible. Imagine when someone jumps ahead a few lines and you need to find where they are before they finish, and others in the scene need to catch up as well. It was a bit nerve-racking.

In the end, when the day was done and the task was complete, it was rewarding to know that the job was well done and well-received. Bonds were formed and lives were changed, as everyone stepped up to the challenge. Our company of cast and crew made a difference in our own lives, as well as the lives of the audience. The quality we put in brought the world a little closer together, through the mutually felt plot and understanding.

How do lights, sound and media assist a live stage production? As great as technology is today, excellent live theater performance does not necessarily depend on it. In fact, it can be an annoyance. If the audience is not moved, shocked, laughing or crying from the quality of the acting and script, all that technology does not help. Live international theater draws out the best in actors to show that they are people who love people. I want to continue to support that cause, using my skills in technology.



Edited by Beverly Dennison

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