Phantom: Behind the Scenes

Katelyn Gill

Every year Citrus College’s theatre department stages a popular musical that features students from the college as well

as other actors from around the community. This year’s production is Phantom based on the novel The Phantom of the

Opera. So much goes into the production that the audience does not even see on stage. The costume designers, set designers,

stage hands, prop people, lighting designers, sound technicians, make up and hair artists, choreographers, and the director all

work behind the scenes to make the show appear as it does to the audience on stage. The backstage atmosphere is unlike

anything else; it can go from being completely calm and quiet, to tense and chaotic in a matter of moments.

The ballerinas in the show wear eight different costumes. The pink tutus hanging in the costume shop are the most recognizable and worn at a key

moment at the end of the first act.

Actor Max Herzfeld who plays an Egyptian soldier, discusses his concerns about all his costume changes, especially the head piece he is wearing, with Costume

Designer Pam Gill.

At the end of the first act, the Phantom steps onto a platform and goes below

the stage. Scenic Designer Jon Patrick watches this scene to make sure everything

runs smoothly.

Right before leaving the dressing room, chorus member Taylor Tracy,

makes a last minute adjustment to her costume.

Hairstylist Mary Gonzalez does some touch up on chorus member Antonio

Ramirez before he goes back on stage.

The fly lofts are used to bring the back drops on and off the stage. The young Phantom played by Tanner Anderson

rests on them while waiting to

go back on stage.

Waiting to go on stage for some chorus

members like Kahlil Jackson, can be rather long, so he takes the time to catch up on

homework.

Actors are often positioned on scenery that is then moved

onto the stage for the scene. (top down) Dancers Kim

Zolofal, Kristin Smith, and Angela Wallace wait on the

stairs for the next scene

change.

The Phantom Isaac James takes a break on the fly loft while the crew deals with some technical difficulties below him on the stage.

Choreographer John Vaughn goes through the curtain call with the cast

one last time before opening night.