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STAGE SAVVY
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university has a permanent stage crew. “The only nonunion actors we have are in the plays that feature children,” Sandy Ernst says.
All three companies rely heavily on actors in the Philadelphia or New York areas who can commute more easily. But sometimes artists do come from farther away. As with any business that hires talent on a freelance basis, there are some repeat performers. Others are invited
to audition on personal recommendations. “We're required to do auditions, which we
can do in person or virtually,” Sheffield says of People’s Light’s process.
Occasionally, a nationally known talent will make an appearance, as in the case of award-winning actor David Strathairn this past summer in Off By One at People’s Light. In putting their seasons together, artistic directors often look for the new and different. Strathairn’s Off By One was a world premiere written by Emmy-winning producer/writer/ director Joseph Dougherty. “The analogy of
a chef putting together a restaurant menu
is a good one for putting together a theater
Sandy Ernst reads at least five plays
a week—sometimes more. “It’s like a Rubik’s Cube,” she notes. “We ask,
‘Can we afford it? Is it a REP-style play?’”
season,” Sheffield says. “You offer something for everyone.”
There can also be a financial advantage
to world premieres. For Delaware Theatre Company, in addition to bragging rights,
it provides a passive income of 1.5% of the profits from future productions of the show. “We did the world premiere for the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5,” Silva says. “It’s now on a tour in London’s West End.”
Sandy Ernst reads at least five plays a week—sometimes more. “It’s like a Rubik’s Cube,” she notes. “We ask, ‘Can we afford it? Is it a REP-style play?’”
In addition to steady employment and benefits, REP actors have the professional
opportunity to stretch themselves in a variety of major and minor roles. “Being a part of a REP company is a coveted job, because there are so few REP companies,” says Heflin.
Working with the same people all the time doesn’t allow for personality conflicts.
“There is no rank within a company,” Lee Ernst says. “If you have a problem with someone, you have to sort it out for the
good of the company.”
His wife agrees. “A company is a little
like a family,” she says. “You may have an occasional squabble. But all in all, you have each other’s backs.”
Visit rep.udel.edu, peopleslight.org and delawaretheatre.org.
Where your child can excel
and grow to their fullest potential!
We invite you to our Open House!
October 29, 2024 • 5-6:30pm Preschool -12th Grade
admissions@wilmingtonfriends.org wilmingtonfriends.org 302.576.2930
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