Have you ever thought or looked at the stagecraft of any musical, play, or performance that you have seen? It may seem like everything comes together quickly and without effort, but there are many complex elements involved, from each science, that most people don’t consider while watching a play? 

With the GCTC musical Ragtime opening, it is an opportune time to look behind the scenes to find out how the Stagecraft crew creates the scenes on stage. What is involved when making sets for the performance? Mr. Townsend, the GC Stagecraft teacher, was kind enough to provide some interesting information.

• As far as scenery, every show is different, but the tools and techniques used are the same each time. 
• Interestingly, with Ragtime’s stagecraft, the crew is not trying to represent every location where the actions occur accurately. They use a design called a unit set, where one structure is used to represent several different places.
• Ragtime is a more significant “build,” but it isn’t the biggest Mr. Townsend has ever done.
• The most remarkable thing about the stagecraft for Ragtime are the students who serve as design assistants. Instead of just doing research, they also designed certain discrete elements that appear onstage. They truly work as a team where everyone’s ideas are considered. 

Overall the stagecraft for Ragtime is unique and creative.  Make sure that you take notice when you see the play.