Reality TV Infiltrates San Marin's 'A Chorus Line'

Musical theater is by definition one of the most integrated and collaborative art forms around.  It combines authors, composers, lyricists, actors, singers, dancers, musicians, designers, artists and stage technicians to create that uniquely American and internationally popular entertainment known as the Broadway musical. 

At , smARTt has added a video crew to the team.  They’ll be showing off their multi-media take on in a production which opens on March 23 at The Emily Gates Student Center at San Marin.

“We are including live streaming video to screens above the stage during the show,” said director Pat Nims.  “We added three camera operators and a Video Technical Director (VTD) to our normal tech crew.  The camera operators shoot during every performance and the VTD will select and switch between shots.  It will be just like a live TV show.”

Integration of the arts is what San Marin High School’s Arts and Technical Arts (smARTt) program is all about.  smARTt is an integrated group of University of California-approved classes that include visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, journalism and technical arts. Through these offerings, students can take advanced placement and honors classes during regular school hours and fit other UC-approved electives into their schedule.

A Chorus Line is the ground-breaking and Tony Award-winning musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. With 19 main characters, it is set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre during an audition for a musical. The show provides a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.

To Nims, the script reminded him of a more recent form of entertainment, the reality TV show. “A Chorus Line  predated reality TV by 20 years, but it also predicted it,’ said Nims.    “In A Chorus Line, the characters are forced to reveal intimate details about their lives as they compete with each other in order to get a job.  The similarities between A Chorus LIne, ‘American Idol,’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ are clear.  The only things missing from A Chorus Line were TV cameras and the studio audience.”

San Marin Music Director and A Chorus Line producer Samantha Maaslehbrown is excited to be adding a new artistic element to the show.  “Adding live video gives our students who are usually less comfortable on stage a chance to ‘perform’ every night as they create the live feed the audience will see.”  

San Marin parent and long-time music department volunteer Louis Block, a professional video/audio technician, has been key in assisting San Marin as video consultant and technical advisor. He said, “It's really great that the kids on the technical crew are getting a chance to learn new set of skills: how to operate cameras, direct shots, as well as the nuts and bolts of getting the images up there on the screens.

“Multimedia is used frequently in the theatre world, and this experience will stick with them if they decide to pursue a life in theatre, or in any kind of live presentation.”

A Chorus Line is being produced by Samantha Maaslehbrown, directed by Pat Nims, musical direction by Emily Gates and choreography by San Marin Students Shannon Ainsworth and Corrin Dove.  Performances are on March 23, 24, 29, and 30 at 8 p.m. and on March 25 and April 1 at 2 p.m. 

Tickets for students and children are $7.00 in advance and $10 when purchased at the door.  Tickets for adults are $10.00 in advance and $15 at the door.  Advance purchase is recommended – San Marin shows frequently sell out.  Tickets can be purchased at the San Marin High School front office and on-line at www.BrownPaperTickets.com.