The Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts at NSU collaborated with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ production of “Once Upon a One More Time, Jr.”
The show is part of the Musical Theater International’s pilot program. MTI is a theatrical licensing agency. The MTI program takes full-length musicals and adapts them into shorter versions, which the Broward Center presents. Then the Broward Center offers feedback to MTI participants before the musicals are distributed to theaters.
The Broward Center has been a part of the program since 2018. NSU students in the technical theatre course were given the opportunity to build the set for the production.
Tammy Holder, Broward Center artist-in-residence, supervised the production. She said theater is the ultimate collaborative activity, and everyone is doing what they do for one common goal.
“I thought it was really a neat opportunity for students here at NSU to learn real world skills in scenic design and building sets,” Holder said. “And if this is something that you want to do, this is to make really good connections and give you actual real-world experiences. Putting a set on a stage at the center.”
Dan Gelbmann, associate professor of technical theatre and design, said students got experience working on a professional show and preparing themselves for the community they are joining.
“They get to do all the hands-on work, all the painting and sculpting, and then actually help load it in and bring it over to the Broward Center and be a part of opening night and all that stuff as professionals,” Gelbmann said. “They can learn a lot from me, but they get other perspectives on how other companies run and how other productions run. And that is an invaluable experience for anybody. Just to get more real-world experience.”
Reagan Singer, junior elementary education major, was the student set designer for this project. Her mentor was Darren Rosen. He feels there is something special about working with the youth compared to professionals.
“I’ve had experience working with professionals as well, but a lot of them feel like they know it already. Whereas working with kids and students who are absorbed in everything you say, there’s a real thrill to that. And, when you see the light go on and they get it, as an educator, it’s a great feeling,” Rosen said.
Lys-Nashka Valce, freshman child development major, was in the technical theatre class. She said being involved in the process makes her feel like she is a part of something bigger than herself.
“Theater is not only just like the actors that are on stage, but also the sets, the sound, the music, the lights and everything. So, it just feels like I’m not only building sets, but it feels like it’s something so much bigger. And I love the opportunity to just get to be a part of that and get to experience that,” Valce said.
Anthony Estrada, sophomore business management major, said that there is a lot that happens behind the scenes that can make or break a show, and set design is one of those things.
“Set design is like when you’re just creating a whole bunch of ideas to make theater come alive. That’s the best way I could put it,” Estrada said.
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