Today's Lesson: Rigging and Fly-Rails

In preparation for "Seussical", students in the Teenage Drama Workshop's design-tech program got a hands-on lesson in safely rigging set pieces and proper use of the fly-rail system when teacher Caroline Law had them rig up a giant set piece that will fly-in during the show.

Once the rigging got the all-clear from CSUN staff, TADW students and staff worked together to lift it into position where it will be painted for the show.

"Not a lot of students this age get to work on rigging," Law said. "This was a really great experience for our kids today."

(Pictured, TADW students and staff await instructions high above the Campus Theatre; students get instructions from design-tech teacher Caroline Law and CSUN staff on proper use of the rigging and fly-rail systems; Law and design-tech student Kyle Steven prepare to use the fly-rail to lift the huge set piece; students help lift the piece off the saw horses and into position.)

Professional Puppeteer Brings Her Magic to 'Seussical'

Professional puppeteer Renee Vlashi, whose work has appeared at the famous Bob Baker Marionette Theatre and on the Jim Henson/ABC-TV show "Dinosaurs," is bringing her special skills to the Teenage Drama Workshop. Vlashi is creating 15 paper-mâché-and-foam fish puppets and two other puppets for TADW's upcoming production of "Seussical."

Renee offered her puppeteering skills  to TADW at the spring "Meet and Greet," when director Ronnie Sperling mentioned that "Seussical" would be using puppets. Vlashi's daughter, Jeta, 12, is a first-time student in the workshop this summer. "I've been  a puppeteer for 40 years," Vlashi said.

"What Renee is creating is remarkable," said executive director of TADW Doug Kaback. Students in TADW's design-tech program are also assisting Vlashi with painting the puppets and putting on the "finishing touches."

(Pictured, professional puppeteer Renee Vlashi working on her creations for the upcoming production of Seussical; some of Vlashi's puppets drying in the scene shop; Vlashi with "Seussical" director Ronnie Sperling and a few of the puppets.)

Techies Hard At Work Backstage

Students in TADW's Design-Tech Program are already hard at work, learning the ropes back stage. Under the direction of Caroline Law, the "techies" are working in the scene shop on sets and props.

Over the next few weeks, they'll also assist with lighting, sound, costumes and other "stagecrafts". 

Now in its 2nd year, TADW's Design-Tech program is growing by leaps and bounds. Up from four students last summer, the program has 16 students this year. And all their hard work will pay off when TADW's productions of "Alice in Wonderland," "Seussical" and the "10-Minute Play Festival" open in a few short weeks.

Design-Tech Track

Standing by the fly rail in the Campus Theatre, celebrating their success with "The Wiz" and "Pinocchio," here are the students from the 52nd Teenage Drama Workshop's Design-Tech Track: From left, Sona Parian, Emma Casady, Instructor Caroline Law, Michael Patterson and Tyler Roach.

TADW Legacies: Marylata and Aaron Jacob; Leslie and Michael Patterson

Spending the summer working on plays at CSUN is a family tradition for two students in the 52nd Teenage Drama Workshop. Aaron Jacob, 14, and Michael Patterson, 14, are the children of TADW alumnae.

Aaron’s mom, Marylata (née Latie Elton), attended TADW from 1973-1975, as did Michael’s mom, Leslie (née Leslie Ray). During their time in the workshop, both were part of the cast and crew of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which starred a young Mare Winningham as “Puck”. Marylata was on the makeup crew and Leslie played the role of “Hermia.”

Marylata, who would go on to become a Grammy-nominated music producer, and Leslie, now a successful theatrical producer in the Bay Area, recall that many of their fellow students at TADW would achieve success in the entertainment industry, including Winningham and actors Arye Gross and the late Wendie Jo Sperber. Of course Winningham would later earn Emmy, SAG and Oscar nominations for her acting work.

For Michael Patterson, who already does voiceover work in the Bay Area, attending TADW requires extra dedication, since his family lives in Northern California, where they produce “The Great Dickens Christmas Fair,” an annual event that is a beloved San Francisco tradition.

(Pictured: Leslie and Michael Patterson in the sound room above CSUN's Campus Theatre.)

Residing nearby for the summer, Michael is now in his first year as a member of TADW’s new Design-Tech track. His older brother, Andrew also made the trek south for many summers, Leslie says. Andrew attended TADW from 2002-2004 and then went on to study at UC Santa Cruz, becoming the head PA and carpenter for its Theatre Department.

“Both of my sons grew up with their parents producing large-scale theatrical events,” Patterson said. “It has always been a part of their lives and I wanted them to be surrounded by people their own age, who felt the same way, producing quality shows.”

Marylata Jacob echoed that sentiment. “Peer pressures can leave a teen feeling out of place and out of sorts,” she said. “TADW provides a unique environment which gives a foundation of empowerment.”

Marylata, who was co-head of the Music Division of DreamWorks Pictures and music supervisor for films such as “Shrek” and “The Prince of Egypt,” says, “Everything I learned here at TADW has been useful in my professional life.” She cites accountability, commitment to excellence and a sense of belonging as examples.

(Pictured: Aaron and Marylata Jacob on the set of "The Wiz.")

What does Marylata want son Aaron to take away from TADW this year? “First and foremost, fun summer memories; secondly, improving his craft.” Aaron, who will attend Chaminade College Preparatory High School in the fall, will be seen in the ensemble of this year’s production of “The Wiz.”

Leslie agrees, saying she hopes Michael comes away with “friendships with kids of a like mind, proficiency in all aspects of theatre onstage and off, and a continued desire to 'put on a show' whenever they get the chance.”

For more information about TADW, visit www.csun.edu/tadw.

“Everything I learned here at TADW has been useful in my professional life.” -- Marylata Jacob, TADW alumna

Design-Tech Students Learn the Ropes

Students in TADW’s new Design-Tech major are hard at work learning the “ropes” and tricks of the trade. Instructor Caroline Law spent the morning teaching them about tools and equipment for rigging set pieces. The techies later put their newfound skills to use, rigging up Gepetto’s house for TADW’s upcoming production of “Pinocchio”. Additionally, techies Michael Patterson, 14; Sona Parian, 11, and Tyler Roach, 18, primed and painted set flats in the scene shop. “Learn to be a great scenery painter,” Law told the students. “They are in high demand and they make a lot of money!”