Spring Production - Dilemmas with Dinner
Dilemmas with Dinner by Robin Roberts
Cardinal Theatre is at it again! Clarinda High School Cardinal Theatre is proud to announce that the spring show for 2015 will be Dilemmas with Dinner by Robin Roberts. This will be performed in the Clarinda High School auditorium on March 27 and 28 at 7:00 p.m. Please note the time change from 7:30 to 7:00 p.m. Although the play begins at 7:00 p.m., the theatre will be open at 6:30.
Dilemmas with Dinner is the story of junior executive Brooke who invites her boss and his wife for dinner in the hopes of securing a promotion. While frantically getting ready, Brooke and her husband discover that the hired help is coincidentally the boss' ex-daughter-in-law. Just when it seems everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, Brooke's boss has an unfortunate announcement to make -- though not as unfortunate as the candlestick attack, appetizer toss, and general chaos that then ensues...
This rollicking comedy contains a very talented cast: Maddy Davidson as Brooke, the junior executive; Grace Davidson as Caren, the caterer; Dylan Warrick as Donny, Brooke’s husband and owner of a bookstore; Jared Kirsch as Max, Donny’s assistant. This cast also includes Hannah Sunderman as Brooke’s assistant Julia; Levi Frazier as Stephen, Julia’s boyfriend. You never know what will happen when Jacob Slough as Will, the CEO of Carmichael and Associates and Brooke’s boss; and Cassidy Marcum as Louise, Will’s wife arrive to the stage. This is a frantic farce for the whole family to enjoy!
Dilemmas with Dinner is a show that requires a lot of focus—and not just from the cast. The Production Staff and crews are hard at work prepping for the show. From the Stage Managers to the Production Coordinator, everyone’s hands are full. There are seven different crews to accomplish a smooth production. Along with the Production Staff Coordinator and the Stage Managers.
Stage Manager is one of the many jobs behind the scenes. The Stage Manager works with the cast and crew as well as managing the master script where all stage movement and technical cues are recorded. Stage Manger Alex Guthrie and Assistant Stage Manger Lucas Shatava have had a major hand helping the cast with the show. Alex says, “We have been very busy making sure the actors are on spot and do not miss a single detail. We also love to work with the Production Staff. Stage Managing is a lot of work and takes some organization but it is a blast. Lucas and I get to see every detail behind scenes and have lots of laughs dealing with Dilemmas with Dinner.” These two are a great team working together keeping the up with script and the cast.
Another staff member busy working with the tech crews is our Production Coordinator Sarah Cabeen. As our Production Coordinator, she is always working hard to help each crew as much as possible. When talking to Sarah about her work, she said: “The position of Production Coordinator is new to me for this play, but it will be very important in assembling all the pieces of Dilemmas with Dinner. I am working with the entire production staff to make sure the backstage tasks are completed and to assist in any area I’m needed. In the past productions I have helped in a variety of places- sound, props, lighting, and stage managing- so I am thrilled to have a hand in all of them this spring. I’m proud of the work the Production Staff has done so far, and I hope you will enjoy the final result with our performances!” Sarah’s excitement for the theatre has helped in the position that she holds. Working with Sarah is a great experience she is a member of each and every crew.
Lighting is another crew with a big job. David Rahn is the head of the lighting crew working to get just the right lighting design for the cast. When asked how the work was going, he said, “As Master Electrician with Cardinal Theatre my job includes creating light plots, focusing lights and programming the light board. I work with Sara, our sound designer; Mr. Balster, our director; and Josey, our shop foreman to light the stage, enhance the show with lighting effects, and give the best possible light for our actors.” With the lighting plot finished, the light crew is one step closer to the technical rehearsals.
Sound works hand in hand with lights. The sound crew has been working hard to find just the right cue for each moment. The Sound Designer is Sara Williamson. “We have different sound cues along with music for before and after the performance. Right now, we have most of our music selected. Now we are working on securing and creating all of the specific sound effects. We really hope you enjoy the show!”
Our Property Masters Annie Wallin and Misa Hamanaka head another great crew working on the production. The show is “prop heavy.” When asked about their work, they said, “This show is crazy for props! With this many props needed for certain scenes, lists are essential to our daily lives. With ten lists so far and many more to come we are working hard to find the perfect props for each and every scene. Even with the chaos, we are having a lot of fun working creating and finding the needed items. This show will be amazing and we are very excited to be a part of it.” Props have been working non-stop finding just the right pieces to the puzzle.
Along with Property Masters, our production staff has a Shop Foreman—a job that not just anyone can do. With all of the time that Josey Stanton spends in the scene shop after school, there is no question as to his dedication. While talking about the progress of the set Josey said, “The set is coming along smoothly. Working after school has given the construction crew time to get the set just right for the show. With the basics of the set built, we are just working on the details to get finished up before production. As Shop Foreman, I am very excited to see the final outcome of the set as well as the other crews’ work. Hope you enjoy the show!”
Makeup design is yet another important part of the production staff. Marissa Hernandez has her work cut out for her while working as the head of the makeup crew. “While working as the head of makeup for the show I have had a chance to have a lot of learning experiences as well as work with a great team. I look forward to the performance nights when the greatest part of my job takes place!” This is Marissa’s second time as head of the makeup crew; we are very excited to see where Cardinal Theatre may take her in the future.
The last crew working hard to prepare for the show is Costumes. This crew is lead by Madi Cabbage. This show has a cast that is always moving so costumes are working hard to find just the right “fit” for the show. Madi had this to say: “Right now we are focusing on finding just the right costume for all the actors. The show is coming up here quickly and we are just making sure everything is as good as it can get. I hope you enjoy the final outcome!”
Cardinal Theatre has been working hard in front and behind stage. Being a tech member is always a great experience that all of us love to have. The Production Staff hopes to see everyone at the spring production.
Don’t miss Cardinal Theatre’s last production of the school year. This story is one that will keep you laughing until the very end. Just as a reminder the production days are set for March 27th and 28th. It will be held at the high school auditorium at 7:00 p.m., with the theatre opening at 6:30. Reservations are suggested. Call the high school office at (712) 542-5167. Join us supporting the arts at Clarinda High School.