After the performances of Down the Rabbit Hole, we held 15-minute open discussions with the students, where they could ask questions about the storybook opera and working in the theatre industry. It was terrific that some of their questions focused on behind-the-scenes work in the Arts. With that in mind, I thought I would introduce you to some of the DTRH team who helped behind the scenes to make our opera magical and run smoothly.
Chloe Dodd worked as our Stage Manager. Chloe supported our team and helped to organise the day-to-day running of the team during rehearsals and on tour. During performances, she managed the props, costumes and putting up/striking of the set.
Organising these elements meant that each performance was consistent and the cast could perform to their optimal levels. Chloe was a huge help to me during the tour.
My mum, Tracy Hoather worked as a volunteer and took on multiple roles within the project both during the planning stages and during the tour. She helped me to bring my vision to life by creating a set design, on a very limited budget, where she re-purposed covid panels as wings, a covid hand sanitizer post as both a clock and a rose bush and shower curtains as scenic backdrops. I admire her creativity, drive and persistence to ensure that I could bring Wonderland alive.
My fabulous Dad, Gary Hoather drove the van which transported the set and costumes from School to School and helped with the publicity for the opera, the video editing and helped with understanding how to prepare my accounts.
My good friend Hilary Berkin helped as a volunteer to adapt a variety of shower curtains using her fabulous skills as a seamstress. The shower curtain curtains were used to change between scenes and her innovative solutions helped to enhance the production.
Gill Howard helped my mum to create pom-pom Hedgehogs for the children to use during the show. These were fantastic as it meant that children who couldn’t make them, could still participate.
To finish, I would love to share with you a link to a review written by Fiona Maddocks of the Guardian/Observer who came to watch our final performance at Frank Barnes School for Deaf.