Charleston Gaillard Center Announces Setting the Stage.1.6.21

FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 MEDIA CONTACTS: Kellie Lawson Director of Marketing klawson@gaillardcenter.org 843-242-3105

GAILLARD CENTER SOCIAL MEDIA​: @gaillardcenter @gaillardcenter

facebook.com/thegaillardcenter​

CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER RELEASES SETTING THE STAGE

January 6,​ 2021 – Charleston, SC – Today the C ​ harleston Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program ​released its new virtual education program, Setting the Stage​. This eight-part series features behind-the-scenes videos written, filmed, and produced by the Gaillard Center’s Technical team. Each video is accompanied by a detailed lesson plan created by our Director of Education, Sterling deVries. Students can do any of the included experiments from home or school and use the provided assessments and rubrics. Specific grade level science standards are covered in these lessons. All videos and lesson plans are available for free at ​gaillardcenter.org​. ​Watch the episodes and download the lesson plans here.

Setting the Stage f​ eatures the following episodes: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Episode 1 - Break a Leg: An Introduction to Stagecraft Episode 2 - Can You Hear Me Now? How Microphones Work Episode 3 - Let There Be Light Episode 4 - Who Needs a Television? An Introduction to Projectors Episode 5 - Ropes, Pulleys, and Iron: Theater Counterweight System Episode 6 - I Can See the Light Episode 7 - How Did It Get Here? An Introduction to Audio/Visual Cables Episode 8 - Drop the Bass: All About Speakers

Sterling deVries, Director of Education at the Gaillard Center, notes, “​T​he Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program is thrilled to present Setting the Stage,

a look behind-the-scenes of a world-class theater. The videos highlight STEM-based professionals that use science skills daily to execute performances. The eight videos dive into the technical aspects of a theater and cover the SC State Academic Science and Theater Standards. The Gaillard Center is happy to provide content for our area educators for both in-person and virtual students. We hope these completed lessons will make our teachers' lives a little bit easier and inspire our local students.”

Eric Corriher, Technical Director at the Gaillard Center, stated, “​The initial concept for Setting the Stage came about as the Technical team was discussing what virtual offerings we could create to keep the Gaillard connected with the community. We thought it would be fascinating to produce a behind-the-scenes series highlighting and dissecting key technical components and how they work. After learning our theater would not be able to host students and educators for a while, it became clear to whom the series should be geared. If they couldn't come to us, we would go to them.”

Setting the Stage is sponsored in part by AT&T, Cantey Tech Consulting, City of Charleston, Gaillard Performance Hall Foundation, and The Kennedy-Herterich Foundation.

ABOUT THE CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER TEAM:

STERLING DEVRIES, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Sterling deVries, the Director of Education at the Charleston Gaillard Center is dedicated to supporting the educational community through the arts. Following fifteen years as a classroom teacher, deVries builds on the knowledge that arts are an integral part of classroom content. Her Master’s degree in Arts in Education changed her approach to teaching and resulted in a student-centered, arts-enhanced method of content mastery.

ERIC CORRIHER, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Eric Corriher is the Technical Director at the Charleston Gaillard Center. Born and raised in Charleston, Eric studied the performing arts at the College of Charleston and graduated with a BA in Theatre in 1999. To begin the new century, he relocated to Honolulu where he began his career in live event production. After 15 years of working around the globe and throughout the United States on everything from arena tours to the Olympics, he is excited to be back home where he's raising a family, and working with the most passionate and talented team of professional technicians around.

COLIN SKINNER, HEAD CARPENTER With a passion for the theatrical arts that goes back to grade school, Colin Skinner has been following his passion professionally for nearly twenty years. As the Head Carpenter for the Gaillard Center, Colin brings expertise to the stage in the form of carpentry, rigging, and various other technical aspects of entertainment production.

HUNTER LAIRD, EXHIBITION HALL TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR Hunter Laird has been in the live events, IT, and A/V industry for over 16 years.

He started his career in a TV broadcast studio where he learned the art of recording audio and information technology. From there, he pursued a career in A/V systems integration installing sound, lighting, video, and rigging systems all over the Southeastern United States. Permanent A/V installations progressed into temporary setups, and live events were his new passion. He has managed many events ranging from Presidential rallies, festivals, and weddings, and continues to progress his career at the Charleston Gaillard Center.

DAVID KERR, MASTER ELECTRICIAN David Kerr began his professional career in the entertainment business in Charleston, SC in 1995. He worked as a local stagehand and studio mechanic for about two years in concert venues, theaters, and film sets. He worked in a variety of departments such as electrics, carpentry, props, and wardrobe. In 1998 Dave began his North American touring career working as head electrician for the Broadway musicals ​THE KING AND I​, ​ANNIE​, and ​RENT​. In 2003, he moved to New York City and accepted the head electrician position for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Dave toured Internationally with Ailey for 13 years. After 18 years of touring, he has worked in hundreds of theaters in 49 states and over 20 countries across 5 continents. In 2016 Dave returned to the very theater where his journey began 22 years ago, the Charleston Gaillard Center, where he has been ever since.

JOHN BARRY, HEAD AUDIO TECHNICIAN John Barry is the Head Sound Engineer at the Gaillard Center. Growing up with a musician mother, John developed a passion for music at a young age and turned his eye from performance to production in college. As the Head Audio Technician at the Gaillard Center, John works with maintaining and tuning our audio systems, mixing sound for local shows, and assisting touring engineers with their shows.

SARAH COCHRANE, MARKETING COORDINATOR Sarah Cochrane is the Marketing Coordinator for the Charleston Gaillard Center.

Sarah graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Creative Advertising and began her professional career as a Junior Art Director at various ad agencies. Her love of the arts and nonprofits led her to join the Gaillard Center team in 2018. Sarah is responsible for all in-house design at the Gaillard Center, including emails, lesson plans, social media graphics, print and digital advertisements, and more.

ABOUT THE CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER The Charleston Gaillard Center is a 501c3 nonprofit performing arts organization in Charleston, South Carolina, committed to enriching lives through unforgettable experiences. Throughout the year, we provide exceptional programming and vibrant educational opportunities for the community.

Please consider a contribution as we continue to find innovative ways to connect, inspire and entertain.​ ​Donate to support the arts in your community.​ ​You can learn more about our educational resources and programming at gaillardcenter.org​. ###