Backstage pass
Theatre major Ian Hamilton ’21 worked behind the scenes this summer at Cape Cod Repertory Theatre in Brewster, Mass.
His responsibilities included prop acquisition, operating the light board and other backstage work for Cape Rep’s two summer shows, “The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Summer Blockbusters” and “The Full Monty.”
Hamilton said he enjoyed some unique challenges, such as working on the parody show, an original piece that underwent rewrites up to three days before opening night.
“This production also served as my first experience at ‘calling’ a show—following the actors in the script and ensuring that all of the buttons are pressed at the same time,” he said. “More broadly, this internship helped me get a grasp on how an entire theater operates, from the actors to the directors, designers to technicians, and everything in between.”
Hamlton, an education minor, is interested in teaching theater after graduation.
“This experience allowed me to work in a theater, make connections in my field, and get a real sense of how theaters work, so that I will be better prepared to teach my students about the craft,” he said.