You’ve seen them many times if you’re a frequent visitor to Gamut Theatre.
Emily C. Gray, Thomas Weaver, and David Ramón Zayas are part of the “Core Company” of actors who act, teach, build sets, keep props and costumes in working and wearing order. In other words, they do what needs to be done to keep the operation running smoothly at this prized theater on the third floor of Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg.
And what a theatrical education they receive: one minute, they are reciting Shakespeare; the next, vacuuming the stage to get ready for a Popcorn Hat children’s show; and another piling into a car to perform one of many touring shows at a local school. Then there are production meetings to attend, rehearsals to conduct, emails to answer: It’s intense, it’s tiring, it’s wonderful.
“Gamut is special to me because I’ve grown up there,” Gray says. “I’ve learned so much about myself and about acting during my time with Clark and Melissa Nicholson—Gamut Theatre Group’s artistic and executive director respectively. I’ve gained confidence in myself and feel that, if I can keep up with the pace here, I can do almost anything.”
And keeping up with the pace is key.
A typical day for Gray—the first Gamut theater school student to return and become a core company member—begins at 9 a.m. as the group begins preparations for a Popcorn Hat show. Gray assists Weaver in setting up the stage and, as the overseer of the costumes, she sprays them with “watered-down vodka” to keep them fresh, then places props where needed. She’s in charge of opening up the theater when it’s just about show time and greeting audience members—young and young at heart—as they file in.
In a recent Popcorn Hat performance, Gray played three physically demanding roles. After the show and staying in costume, she says good-bye to the audience, changes, has lunch. Then it’s clean the kitchen, make some props, pull costumes for the next show, run errands, do laundry, assistant teach theater school classes, send out mailers—the list goes on. Most days go into late afternoon; others continue into the evening.
Meanwhile, Weaver, as technical director of the theater, builds, paints and cleans— generally keeping the theater running efficiently.
“Translation: I take out the trash and change lights bulbs, too,” Weaver says.
Of course, Weaver also performs in the children’s shows, on main stage, and in Gamut’s Shakespeare in the Park at Reservoir Park, as does Zayas, who recently completed a one-man show on Gamut’s main stage.
“As far as work routine goes, there was a lot more ease given to me (during the run of the show) to allow me rest and preparation time, which I am exceedingly appreciative of,” he says.
The creation of a core company arose out of necessity, said Melissa Nicholson. When Gamut formed in 1993, the theater didn’t have enough money to pay actors; instead it paid on percentage. Now, these full-time Gamut actors make a living wage and live together for free at the Town House Apartments in Harrisburg.
“The advantages are that it fosters a sense of ensemble,” Nicholson explains. “It makes it easier and faster to put up shows because the actors are used to each other.”
Both Gray and Weaver are from central Pennsylvania, but Zayas hails from Detroit. The Nicholsons attend national auditions like those in Memphis or hire others through recommendations. Core actors must be multi-talented in all facets of stage work, be flexible, have specific backstage skills and have a sense of humor.
Over the years, about 34 actors have been employed by Gamut through its Core Company program; some have continued on in theater; others have pursued different interests and lives. One is currently doing a national tour of a children’s play, one went on to work with a Shakespeare company in the south, another went on to found a Shakespeare company in the north.
“I have very mixed emotions when someone leaves,” Nicholson says. “Proud. Sad. Melancholy. Excited for the next one.”
Weaver is not completely sure what will happen after his Gamut experience. He does, however, look forward to continuing his professional and personal relationships with everyone he’s lived and performed with.
“That is what is special to me about Gamut,” he muses, “and what I will take with me when I leave: the family.”
