Our Canyon theater department just wrapped up its first production of the year; their production of Much Ado About Nothing was presented last Thursday and Saturday at the PAC on the 19th and 21st. I spoke with Canyon theater director Carter Ridge and was able to learn more about the production’s process backstage.

For Mrs. Ridge, the casting process was a thrill. When making her casting choices, she prioritized the cast’s chemistry with one another as her primary factor.  The chemistry she prioritized with her choices, in turn, elevated the relationships on stage and within the story, as Mrs. Ridge addressed “The individuals I selected stood out in bringing the relationships I wanted to the story”.

During the process of rehearsal, the cast had multiple chances for their personal growth. Many of the cast members had not yet experienced the level of responsibility entrusted to them during this production which made their dedication crucial to ensuring the play’s success. “They put a lot of hard work into bringing their best to their parts and I’m proud of them,” Ridge states.

In terms of the challenges faced, Mrs. Ridge remarked, “The biggest obstacle we’ve had is trusting ourselves to take big chances or solve big problems on our own”. When the cast learned to trust themselves and their fellow members, it opened the opportunity not only for growth as a team but also for growth as individuals to learn how they fit within the cast.

For my final question, I asked Mrs. Ridge for one piece of advice she would give to an aspiring cast member to ensure their onstage success. In response, she stated, “It’s great to be a good actor or technician, but being a company member that is respected and trusted goes much further. If you can be a company member with a good attitude and show dedication, then you’ll be incredibly successful no matter what you’re doing”. With that in mind, anyone can be a productive and successful cast member if you put your mind to it.