Spring Break
In the wings, URI theater student wins stage-managing competition
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News
|
University of Rhode Island theater student Samantha Demers knows that these responsibilities are part of a stage manager's job.
As the recent winner of a regional stage management fellowship award, it's her job.
From Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, Demers participated in the New England Stage Management Fellowship Competition at the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, which was held in Fitchburg, Mass.
During the nearly weeklong competition, the Cranston resident competed against almost 30 participants from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, according to its official Web site, to win the award.
Demers, who transferred to URI three years ago, said she is amazed at her newfound celebrity status, especially because she had only managed one play before the competition.
"Already, just winning this New England region [competition], I've gotten two job offers and people are recognizing me left and right," she said.
But Demers laughed when asked if money is the key to success.
"You wouldn't be in it if you wanted money," she said. "For theater, you don't do it for the money."
Demers became involved with stage management after she transferred to URI, when she stumbled upon it by accident. She was the assistant director for URI play, "Strange Snow," and helped the stage manager build the set.
Demers later managed URI's production of "Stuff Happens," which directly led to her recommendation to the festival.
"I found that I like it a lot, and I'm good at it, so I thought, 'Why not do that?' As I was working as assistant director, I realized during ["Strange Snow"] that that definitely wasn't my calling," she said.
Theatre Department Chairwoman, Paula McGlasson said she is more than satisfied with Demers' performance at the regional competition, and was one of the professors who wrote her a recommendation letter.
After "Stuff Happens," Demers was approached by a judge from the festival who attended the show, and she urged McGlasson to "get the ball rolling" and enter Demers in the competition.
