Getting to Know Kathryn Scorza!
By Gwen Leahy
Bio:
Kathryn Scorza is a logistics major based in Savannah. She has been doing theater her whole life, but transitioned into a more professional avenue over the last 7 years. Kathryn has stage managed in several theaters in Savannah including Savannah Children's Theatre, The Historic Savannah Theatre, and most recently The Bay Street Theatre. Kathryn has also directed and performed with Georgia Southern, and performed with Savannah Children's Theatre. Kathryn is also an assistant teacher with the Children's Theaters' Aerial Arts Program, where she works with students in middle and high school.
Q&A
Q: You are queen of the quintessential "rehearsal emergency kit." What would you say is the most used item in your kit? Additionally, what is an item that a lot of people don't think about including, but has proven itself essential over the years?
A: My stage manager kits have between 20-30 items depending on what each show looks like. I have over 40 items in an organizer in my apartment to choose from so I can mix and match. For example, a show with more intense makeup and hair will have multiple hair tie and Bobbie pin options, and multiple packs of makeup wipes. A show which has less makeup but is more physically demanding will have things like ibuprofen, Biofreeze, Bandaids, and moleskin. The item I use the most is exactly what you would think: Hair ties. Anyone who has ever been to a rehearsal or show has been asked at least once a rehearsal if they have a hair tie. I can confidently say I go through a few 100-packs a year, not including my mini and larger ones (to accommodate hair types). The item you wouldn't think about but gets used every so often are single use toothbrushes and floss; no one wants to kiss someone with bad breath onstage (and, because we are in a theater, popcorn is eaten, and stuck between teeth, often).
Q: As a stage manager, what is the one thing you wish you could tell every actor you work with to make everyone's lives easier?
A: I think everyone is guilty of a little tech week stress. Something I have very recently adopted is "tech week is for fixing things.” Of course there will be mess ups and collisions and things that don't work… It's easy to react before thinking (especially with little sleep and high stress), and what you say in the heat of the moment matters. Remember that those last crucial weeks are for mistakes. If a show was perfect week 2, then tech week wouldn't exist. While this is easier said than done (as someone guilty of saying the wrong thing under pressure), this mindset will improve a show's energy so much.
Q: Stage managers are the unsung superheros of the performing arts; you are constantly in charge of keeping the show running and thinking on your feet to make sure the audience doesn't notice if something goes wrong backstage. Do you have any stories about a time where you saved a performance and the audience was none the wiser?
A: While I definitely have many saves under my belt, I have two particularly favorite saves. Spoilers ahead The first was in a performance of Les Mis. One of my roles backstage was spotting Gavroche on the barricade. While he was climbing up, his mic back slipped and became stuck on the barricade. By some miracle I managed to climb halfway up and unplug it in seconds without being seen. I still don't know how I did it. My second was during a performance of SpongeBob the musical. We found out in the morning a performer would be unable to attend, and in a few hours (with a lot of help from the cast, costumes, and my fellow crew) I was able to fill in for the role. While it was not a lead, there was still a lot to learn and do in that short time.
Q: On top of being a first rate stage manager, you are also an extremely talented performer yourself. Are there any benefits to turning on your "actor brain" while stage managing, or vice versa?
A: One of the best parts of being both a stage manager and a performer is that I am able to find the little tricks to make my life run easier in each position. If a particular prop is broken or something is bothering me I can fix or adjust it efficiently without needing to pull someone or mess up the show flow. As a stage manager, I can help an actor find ways to fix things onstage in character. I once got one of my middle school students to fix a mic onstage in character without it being seen as out of place.
Q: Finally, like any other profession in the performing arts, we always have a "magnum opus" show that we want to work on or be a part of. Do you have any shows that you would one day like to stage manage for?
A: Despite having worked on or been in 40+ shows over the years, I have not seen a lot of shows outside of what I've worked on. If I could go back, the two shows I would work on again are Dear Edwina (my favorite show, recommend giving it a listen) or Percy Jackson the Musical.
Promo:
Kathryn, in true Stage Manager rockstar fashion, recently took over SM duties with the Savannah Children’s Theatre’s production of “Something Rotten,” which is running through July 12th. She is also very excited for the upcoming fall season at Georgia Southern, where she will be directing the Winter Showcase and working on Little Women!
