Student-Run Theater Company Debuts with 'Once Upon a Mattress'

Many kids would love to spend their summer vacation performing on stage in a big musical production, but few would be likely to take on the entire endeavor themselves.

That's one of the things that sets Paradox Productions apart from other local groups. The fledgling company, which will debut with "Once Upon a Mattress" on Thursday, is an entirely student-run affair.

"Most of us know each other from going to school at Mt. Lebanon," said founder Emily Stack. "Last summer we discussed founding our own theater troupe so we could continue working together. This summer we decided to go for it."

Taking on the role as the show's producer, Stack purchased the performing rights to the musical while finishing her spring semester at Shenandoah University. She recruited her friends who in turn recruited their friends and family, filling out the production's cast, crew, and orchestra with students ranging between the ages of 15 and 20. The project proved irresistible to many of her former classmates, who jumped at the chance to work together again.

Meredith Andrews, who plays Queen Aggravain in the show, was excited to join up with Paradox.

"I've been performing with most of these people since we were kids," said Andrews. "It's amazing that we've come together to make this happen."

Auditions were held toward the end of May and rehearsals throughout June and July. That would be a tight schedule for even a seasoned theater company, but Stack prepared her cast and crew for the intense time commitment, both on-stage and off. Most of the actors had little to no technical theater experience, but everyone was expected to help.

"When you work with Paradox Productions, you're an actor, you're a tech builder, you're a mic helper," said Stack. "It's a great way to learn and a great way to respect people who do this every day."

"I had no idea what went into tech crew," said Zeke Reid, who plays the jester. "I don't think any of us had built a set before. We had a lot to learn."

Tory Bentz, who plays the show's heroine, Winnifred, agrees. "Everyone helps with everything. It's a great way to be more than just an actor."

The show has proved to be a learning experience for even the production's more seasoned members. Matthew Martz, a classmate of Stack's at Shenandoah, runs a youth orchestra in his hometown city of Fairfax, Va., but admits that he didn't know what to expect from his role as the conductor of the musical's pit.

"You don't know anything until you get in front of the pit, in front of your musicians," said Martz. "A lot of it is trying it out, adjusting it, tweaking it to make it sound the way that it should."

Working on a musical with their peers might have been a dream come true for the members of Paradox Productions, but they admit the experience has had its ups and downs.

"Efficiency in rehearsals has been difficult to maintain," said Taylor Sweeney, the show's minstrel. "Because we're all friends, the temptation is to socialize."

"Learning together isn't always a harmonious experience," said Reid. "Because you're working with your peers, it's a lot easier to let your emotions get out of control."

"There have been tiffs. What production doesn't? We all love each other," said Stack. "When the curtain goes up they're one unit, and when it goes down, they all celebrate together."

In addition to putting on the musical, Stack and company took charge of both the promotion and funding of the production. They have handled the cost of everything, including the performing rights to the show, the rental charge for performing at the , the cost for set materials, props, and costumes. The funds contributed by members of the company and their families have kept the production afloat, especially when the entire staff has found ways to keep the costs low.

"We did our initial rehearsals at one of our director's cousin's house on West Liberty Avenue," said Stack. "We have borrowed props and costumes at every opportunity."

Fundraising at the the Mt. Lebanon Farmers' Market helped pull in a few dollars, as well as spread the word about the show. The production has been promoted through fliers and social networking sites, but a lot of ticket sales have relied on old fashioned word of mouth. With a cast of seventeen and an off-stage crew of more than ten, the expectation is to crowd all three nights with family, friends, and supporters.

There's also always inadvertent advertising.

"When you're out buying twenty hot pink cast t-shirts, people kind of want to know what you're buying them for," Reid said.

The hope is to do more than just pack the auditorium. The net proceeds from the show will be donated to the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to provided health services to families without insurance.

"I feel like because it's a children's show, it's an organization that is appropriate to raise funds for," said Stack. "We'd love to be give something to them."

With opening night on the horizon, the show seems to be taking shape. The pit runs through a few numbers with Martz while various crew members attempt to finish painting a flat. Costumes are draped over various seats in the audience. A few of the young women in the cast privately rehearse songs. At four in the afternoon, they are only two hours into an eight-hour rehearsal time.

Stack believes all the hard work is worth it. "It really does take a remarkable group of kids to do what we're doing."


"Once Upon a Mattress" will run from Thursday, July 21 through Saturday July 23 at the Seton Center on Pioneer Avenue. The show starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults or $5 for children/students. Proceeds go to the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund.