Behind the Scenes

As production assistant, I get to see a little more behind the scenes action than others might. Most people don't realize that what goes into making a show complete isn't just the cast and the pit, the people the audience sees and hears. There is the crew for the set, the wonderful costume ladies, our lovely patrons, the director and his wife, and the parents of the cast, crew, and pit members.
The SHS crew always goes above and beyond to make our set the absolute best. What can we say to our costume ladies. They put the show into the appropriate time period and to make us all end up looking perfect for stage. Without the patrons, our show wouldn't bring in nearly enough money to help pay off the bill we have from putting the show together. Will and Heather, they do so much to make the show happen and to cast people where they are perfect to be. But still, without the parents of all these people who need to be at endless amounts of practices, parents of the crew members who spend endless hours creating a set and finding props for crazy stunts, and the parents of the pit who can bring them to pit rehearsals, this show would never happen.
So thank you to each of our behind the scenes people. Actors/actresses are great and all, but there would be no chance of a show happening and having order at rehearsals without all of our behind the scenes people! We owe our show to you!

Staff Spotlight: Heather Jenkins

Full Given Name: Heather Michelle Jenkins

Day Job: Project Accountant for Kinsley Construction

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? According to iTunes it is Fly Me to the Moon by Tony Bennett.

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Mame at Dallastown High School when I was in elementary school.

What was the first show you were ever involved in & what did you do? I was in the chorus of The Wizard of Oz. Although I do also remember being an elf in a Christmas show in the second grade. I had to pretend to make toys while the chorus sang a song.

What do you like most about promoting? While the show is running, I like to walk into the house and know that I had a hand in putting all those butts in the seats. I like being able to make Will’s job smoother and being able to take some of the stressful things for him and get them accomplished.

What do you do for fun? Play with Cordy, hang out with Will, play the piano, go to NYC, and I really like putting things in order and organization.

Any shows you’re just dying to work on? Assassins!! The Wedding Singer. Mamma Mia. Xanadu.

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Hmm. Grown up Cordy Jenkins.

(Above photo: Heather and her other husband, Broadway, TV and Movie Star Roger Bart)

Staff Spotlight: The Vocal Director

Full Given Name: Kathleen Gail Jenkins

Day Job: Promotions Assistant @ WJTL / Co-Host for Purple Door Radio / All around "do-it" girl

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? You Know We're All So Fond Of Dying - Children 18:3

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

What was the first show you were ever involved in & what did you do? Newsies - I was a Newsie...in like 3rd grade

What do you like most about vocal directing? Interaction with the cast and passing on what I know --and feeling like I'm a part of something awesome!

What do you do for fun? Sing, Watch TV, Plan my wedding, Hang out w/ my Fiancee and my Dog

Any shows you're just dying to work on? Les Miserables

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Molly Shannon or Idina Menzel

Staff Spotlight: The Director

Welcome to our brand new blog feature, the Staff Spotlight (soon to be joined by the Cast Spotlight), where you will find out just a little bit more about our adult staff. Naturally, first up is our fearless director...

Full Given Name: William Mark Jenkins, Jr.

Day Job: Graphic Designer

Most Played song on your ipod (or cd player)? Not my choice, but Cordy listens to Ghostbusters about 7,000 times a day. My personal most listened to would be any song by Warren Zevon.

What was the first play/musical you ever saw? The first play I remember seeing was (I believe) called Good Night Ladies. My uncle was in it, and he dressed up like an old woman for some reason (I think so that he could stay at an all woman dormitory??)

What was the first show you were ever involved in? Other than church or elementary school stuff, my first real role was as Motel Kamzoil, the Tailor in Fiddler on the Roof in 11^th grade. That was the show that started it all. My first chance to direct came when I was assistant director for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2000.

What do you like most about directing? Other than the ability to tell forty kids what to do and when to do it? I love both the research and brainstorming of putting together my idea of what the show should be like, and seeing that vision reach the stage in the hands of some very talented young thespians.

What do you do for fun? Play with my daughter, Hang out with my wife, go see plays and musicals whenever possible, watch movies, and play PS3 and Wii.

Any shows you’re just dying to direct? Lots! Among them: Les Mis, Sondheim’s Assassins (not coming soon to a HS near you), Plays by little-known playwright Bill Shakespeare, Drat! The Cat (look it up.), any of Martin McDonagh's plays (again, NOT coming to a HS near you)

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Have Meat Loaf and Jack Black had a baby yet? ‘Cuz it would be that kid.