Tash Mahnokaren
Staff Writer
Home to the passion and dreams of dancers, performers and musicians alike, the School of Performing Arts Theatre creates some of Idaho State University’s most prominent productions.
One of these is the upcoming production of “The Gondoliers,” a musical performance about the rightful heir to Barataria.
“It takes place in two places, Venice and a make-believe place, Barataria,” said Michael Helman, business and production manager for the School of Performing Arts.
“The Gondoliers” will be performed in the Bilyeau Theater in Frazier Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, 22, 24, 28 and March 1.
The plot of the play unfolds when a young bride, destined to marry the heir of Barataria, arrives in Venice to join her future husband.
The conflict lies in the fact that the heir cannot be recognized because he was entrusted to a drunken gondolier at birth, who switched him with his own son.
Upon the death of Barataria’s king, the two young gondoliers rule the kingdom together until the arrival of the nurse of the prince, who can determine the rightful heir.
Behind the sparkles and stardust of this production are the relentless efforts of the students.
“It is all student-driven,” said Helman. “All the actors on stage are students, the orchestra playing live is student orchestra, and the people that worked on building and designing the studio are students.”
The magic of theater is one that often evokes awe in its audience members. At the end of any theatrical production, one may wonder how a production of such grandeur comes together.
“The scope of this is quite large,” said Helman of “The Gondoliers.” “It is amazing to see all these people coming together to create this production.”
For the students involved in the production of the “Gondolier’s,” it is not just a temporary gig. The depth of their efforts represents their ongoing desire to make a career out of their passion for the arts.
“The ones on stage are the ones looking for careers in music, theatre, drama, acting and individuals wanting to be performers,” said Helman.
The skills and experience acquired from being a part of these productions helps students to “hone their craft,” as Helman said.
Putting together a production of such large scale as “The Gondoliers” requires dedication, time and coordination between the varying departments.
Whether you’re center stage or work behind the scenes, each aspect of props, costuming, make-up and setting represents the meticulous efforts of students and staff alike in each department. Students apply what is learned in the classroom setting when it comes time to put together a production.
“They have been down there pulling some serious hours,” said Helman. “The last several days have been full eight-hour days for these students.”
The Stephens Performing Arts Center also houses a costume design studio run by Tara Young, head of costume design for the department.
“Not only does she teach courses in costume design and history and how to build these things, she then runs a costume shop that employs all student workers to build the designs that she has helped to come up with for the show,” Helman said.
Employment in the costume design studio is open to non-theater students.
“It is fairly competitive to get one of these positions,” said Helman.
Being involved in a production and showcasing the skills acquired through education in the ISU theater department holds an incomparable sense of achievement for students.
“You worked up to this point where you really want to have this role done well, and you showcase your skills that you’ve been working on from your school that you have earned. I think it should be a sense of pride that you’ve worked so hard all these years and you can show off your skills,” said Gabrielle Kane, a graduate student of the theater department.
