The Road Back: All That's Missing is You

Managing Director Sara Young provides a breakdown on how many people it requires to ramp up to opening nights.

It occurred to me the other day that the annual arrival of the APT staff almost mimics the arrival of spring and the bloom into summer. At first, it’s hardly noticeable but before long, you realize something in the air is very different. Our world comes alive with possibility – the possibility of rehearsal and a season of plays once again being created.

It starts in mid-April in the scene shop, which is in a different building from where I work so I didn’t notice too much. But five carpenters and three scene painters showed up and immediately got to work building the scenery for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The goal was to get it done before rehearsals started because it’s they type of set you want to get in rehearsal if you possibly can (note: mission accomplished).

Next, the production assistants start, along with the lighting and sound crew. It takes a while to get all the systems out of their winter moth balls, set up and ready to go. This group trickles in over a couple weeks but once they’re all here, they number 10 people.

The prop shop revs up at about the same time. That’s six more.

You really start to feel the change when the costume shop staff starts arriving. That’s a total of 38 people. They work in the same building as I do, and I love to stop in and visit from time to time. I try to choose my times carefully, because it is a very busy place!

The week before rehearsal starts, the stage managers arrive. This is what my husband refers to as “pitchers and catchers report.” They need a week to get everything ready for rehearsal to begin – this is referred to as “prep week.” The stage management crew is 12 strong, led by our Production Stage Manager Evelyn Matten.

And then finally it’s the big day when rehearsal begins – April 28 this year – 44 actors and 5 directors report for duty (we add three more in July for the plays that open in August).

Total tally at this point, counting the 35 of us that stick around all year long: 35+8+10+6+38+12+44+5=158

But there’s more. The designers for the first five plays are in and out. Most designers spend about 3-4 weeks at APT over as many as 6 different visits. That’s 24 people for just the first-half plays, with another dozen coming in the second half.

And we’re not done yet. Though the costume shop is here to make the costumes, there’s another crew – the Wardrobe staff – to take care of them. These 7 are starting this week, as you read this.

Finally, we add all the folks who make sure you, the audience, have what you need. This includes the House Staff (26), Concessions (15), Gift Shop (9), Operations (4), Box Office (8).

That adds another 62 to the mix.

Total: 158+24+7+62

That’s 251 people working before the first line is spoken on stage.

All that’s missing is you, dear audience. Once you join us, summer and APT will be in full bloom. We look forward to seeing you soon.