INFO SESSION: Production Roles
What you’ll learn in this presentation…
About the Grand 1
About the Grand Theatre…
World Curious. London Made.
● The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwestern Ontario’s premiere producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians.
● As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond.
● A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual Grand Theatre High School Project.
Spriet Stage: 839 seats
Auburn Stage: 144 seats
Grand Theatre History…
We have a ghost?
● The Grand Theatre began its existence in 1901 as the Grand Opera House.
● The original owner and manager of the theatre was Ambrose J. Small. He ran the Grand as a touring house.
● December 2nd 1919 – Ambrose sold his chain of theatres to Trans Canada Theatres Limited of Montreal for $1.75 million (this is equivalent to around $31 million today!).
1866-1919?
● The same day that Ambrose sold his theatres, he disappeared!
GRAND GHOSTS
Want to learn more?
Book by Katie Daubs
Spriet Stage (2022) by Trina Davies
Directed by Jillian Keiley
AMBROSE J. SMALL
HSP: Overview 2
What is the High School Project?
● For 27 years, the Grand Theatre High School Project has offered an exceptional opportunity for students to receive education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre.
● Open to any high school student from the London area who will be enrolled in High School in the fall of 2025, or participating in home schooling (ages 14-18).
● No cost to the participants!
● High school students from the London area are mentored by professional artists and coaches in all departments - performance, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra, sound, lighting, marketing, and more!
● Staged in the Grand’s 839 seat theatre: The Spriet Stage.
● The initiative provides leadership, creative skills, and communication aptitude that serve these students on and off stage - in every area of their lives.
The 3 Main Goals of the High School Project
1. To celebrate the talent of London and area's secondary school students, and the drama, music & art teachers who have helped develop that talent.
2. To create an opportunity for students from various schools to meet, connect and work with one another.
3. To enable the students to develop their talents through experience working with theatre professionals.
2025 HSP 3
THE STORY:
Director: Ray Hogg
Music Director: TBA
Choreographer: Krista Leis
The Grand’s production will feature approximately 35-40 students onstage and 20 students behind-the-scenes.
● New York City, 1899. Jack Kelly and his ragtag team of newsies make a meager living selling newspapers on the city streets. But when the prices of “papes” are hiked and the newsies are hung out to dry, there is nothing left to do but “open the gates and seize the day!” The Newsies form a union and organize a strike against the greedy publisher of the New York World.
● Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful, and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice.
A note from Director, Ray Hogg:
Newsies is a story about young people coming together, claiming their space and claiming their rights, in the face of an uncaring capitalist. It's a story about community - a group of people who have each others’ backs, and slowly over the course of the play, realize the power of the collective.
Whether or not you've tapped into it yet, if you’re somebody who is curious to explore their power, if you value community, and want to have your fellow artist's back, then I want to meet you!
General HSP Timeline
IMPORTANT DATES:
• Rehearsals and production work will start August 5, 2025
• Stage Managers will start July 29, 2025
• Some production work will finish September 19, 2025
• Performances are scheduled September 16 - 27, 2025
Production Roles
25th Anniversary Video (2023)
Video by: Mallory Brown
What Production Roles can I apply for?
Wardrobe
What is the application process?
Wardrobe, Props, Scenic Art, Stage Management, Sound, Lighting, Photography & Marketing.
#1. INTERVIEW (10 Min. Slots)
● You will be asked some basic questions about your interests, experience, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. You will also present your portfolio.
#2. PORTFOLIO
● You will bring in something for your interview that you have created which demonstrates your artistic and/or crafting skills related to the Production placement you are interested in.
● Please be prepared to talk about your creative process (tools used, skills needed, materials used, what worked, what you learned etc.) for the items you bring in andhow they relate to the production area you are most interested in.
● Portfolio Examples: painting/designs/photography, garment that you have sewn, prop that you have built, book or script with Stage Management notes, etc.
Portfolio Examples
Wardrobe, Props, Scenic Art, Stage Management, Sound, Lighting, Photography & Marketing.
WARDROBE
• Bring in finished pieces you have created yourself.
• Demonstrate your abilities with a sewing machine and hand stitching.
• Physical samples preferred over images.
SCENIC ART
• Visual art pieces demonstrating different artistic styles and mediums.
STAGE MANAGEMENT
• Examples of scheduling, organizing projects & groups of people, high level of communication, leadership, etc.
• Have you worked on projects that showcase some of these skills?
PROPS
• Bring in physical items you have built yourself. Items could be woodworking, metal, creative crafting, upcycled material projects, painted figures, etc.
• Physical items preferred over images. Think creatively!
PHOTOGRAPHY & MARKETING
• Different camera shots and angles showcased
• Demonstrating editing capabilities
• Social media graphics/posts created
• Written communication skills
SOUND
• Do you have experience with sound? This could be microphones, audio mixing, etc.
LIGHTING
• Do you have experience with lighting? Colour theory?
The Process 5
The Interview Process
For Wardrobe, Props, Scenic Art, Stage Management, Sound, Lighting, Photography & Marketing Roles
All interviews will take place at the Grand Theatre, and will be with our Director of Production & Operations (Paul Fujimoto-Pihl) and Director of Education & Community Engagement (Breanne Ritchie).
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:
• Fill out application form and book your interview.
• Create a portfolio related to the Production placement you’re interested in.
• Practice presenting and discussing the items you plan to bring to your interview.
• Practice answering interview questions (experience, strengths, weaknesses, goals, etc.).
• If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to Breanne before your interview date!
AT
THE
INTERVIEW
(10 Min slots):
• Bring your portfolio materials. No Resume/CV is required.
• Aim to arrive 10 minutes earlier than your interview slot.
• Interview with the panel - Present & discuss items you brought in, answer basic interview questions.
• Congrats you did the interview!
I Interviewed….Now What?
For Wardrobe, Props, Scenic Art, Stage Management, Sound, Lighting, Photography & Marketing Roles OR
After your interview, please be patient to hear back about next steps. The Grand Theatre interviews every student who signs up, so this process can take time.
Interview Hear from the Grand Interview Receive an offer!
You will hear from the Grand, no matter what the decision is. Decisions will be made by the end of May.
I’m interested in participating! ….but
now what do I do?
Interviews will take place at the Grand Theatre after school on Mon April 7, Tues April 8, Wed April 9, & Thurs April 10.
Fill out this registration form to book your Interview Time Slot. Deadline to apply is 9:00am on Tuesday, February 18.
