Can you tell us a little bit about what Behind the Curtain is?

Behind the Curtain is our six-session program that invites participants to learn about the technical aspects of a production in our season. Community members meet and learn from designers and creatives who have either worked on the production or are local experts in the selected field. This program helps community members have a greater understanding of the effort that goes into creating a show and how all those theatrical elements work together to create the spectacle that audiences see onstage. The program culminates in participants gathering for lunch, a tour the backstage area of The Old Globe, and a matinee of the show they learned about.

There is a lot of creative and technical work involved in each Globe production. What are some key elements that participants get to learn?

Every show is a little different, but there are five basic elements that every show will have: lights, sound, scenery, props, and costumes. Every show has stage management and a run crew. Some shows have other elements incorporated, like automation, projections, special effects, or flying systems. Some shows have a strong literary presence and dramaturgs at work fine-tuning the script. 

So in their time with the artists, participants learn basic vocabulary about that specific technical element, how that designer does their work, and how their work contributes to the overall process. Participants engage with hands-on activities and exercises that help them understand the specialized area they are exploring that day, and then ask questions of the artist for better understanding of their processes and the tools they use. 

Do participants need to have any theatre knowledge to get involved? Who can participate?

The great thing about this program is that it is open to all and extremely accessible. Some participants bring their young children or their senior family members. It is designed to be an introduction to the world of technical theatre, so all people regardless of experience or knowledge are welcome.

Can you share any stories of how Behind the Curtain has impacted participants?

It’s interesting: for some folks, the workshops are just a really cool thing to do, but for others this program has been really inspirational. I met a mother of a participant at a culmination event. She shared that her experience coming to Behind the Curtain had opened her eyes and fueled a new interest for her. She had already started researching the different theatres in the region and was planning to be more involved as an audience member and volunteer. At another workshop, I learned that some of the participants were recovering from major crisis in their lives and that their time with us led them into new career paths that have helped stabilize their families. It’s always very humbling to hear those stories about how the work brings joy to folks as well as opportunities for growth and change.

Anything else you want people to know about Behind the Curtain?

People can connect with us! I want people to know that if they are ever interested in this type of programming or anything that our Arts Engagement Department facilitates, they can always reach out. We want to hear from our community and we want to serve, so don’t be afraid to ask us to come to a community gathering space in your neighborhood. These workshops are exciting, fun, and educational, and we love bringing them to new partners who are just as excited about the program as we are.