Oundle School
More about the Stahl Theatre
Pupil Involvement
All School productions are stage managed entirely by pupils, which becomes the most important job for any production. This pupil attends all rehearsals and runs the show in performance giving cues for all technical aspects of that show.
A large workshop attached to the Theatre run by the Technical Stage Manager provides the location for all construction work. This building houses all the necessary equipment for the building of flats and furniture as required for individual productions. Much of this is then stored on site and re-used when appropriate. Most evenings a number of pupils can be found building or painting items for the next production.
A member of staff runs the Wardrobe, but she has a large team of dressers who help out for all shows, being responsible for all aspects of costumes, including making costumes, running repairs and assisting with quick changes.
Pupils with a particular technical interest can become heavily involved in lighting and sound, and as well as working on School productions often become involved helping with the visiting professional companies.
Major School productions are directed by members of the Drama Department,
but House Plays and other productions can be directed by pupils. Some of these
are presented in the Stahl, but can also be presented in other venues around
the School, such as the Great Hall, House Dining Rooms, and outside venues.
The Theatre Staff
We have a large, professional team of theatre practitioners. In addition to the Director there is the Theatre Manager, Ali Dean, who is responsible for the day to day running of the Theatre and who designs many of our productions; the Technical Manager, Phil Hanley, a professional member of the Association of Lighting Designers; and George Mullen is the full time Technical Stage Manager, with responsibility for building our increasingly ambitious sets as well as looking after the professional companies. Tessa Watts-Russell, the theatre secretary, runs the Box Office, which is open daily in term time. We employ a professional theatre photographer, Mike Kwasniak, to photograph all our productions.
One of our aims is that pupils should assume considerable responsibility and feel that they are helping to run an efficient enterprise. Large numbers get involved backstage, for both the professional productions and our own, acting as Stage Managers, Technical Designers, Wardrobe Staff and Crew. One reason for the success of the theatre is, we believe, that so many members of the School feel an involvement in it and a pride in its successful running. A number of pupils from the School now enter the profession as actors, stage managers or designers.
The Front of House teams are made up of groups from each of our Houses who
ensure a courteous welcome for the audience, see them to their seats and help
with interval refreshments, another way in which pupils can become involved
with the efficient running of the Stahl Theatre.