Kenzie Hinchey and Abbie Johnson have been working behind the scenes from day one, helping to get both of this year’s productions up and running smoothly.

Kenzie Hinchey (L) & Abbie Johnson (R)

By Matt Carter 

No Bard in the Barracks performance would happen were it not for the many artists working behind the scenes. When we look behind the curtain of any theatre production, it’s usually to the work of the designers and directors whose collective vision shapes the performance on stage. But what about the folks who keep everything running on time? The problem solvers? The task managers? Those who oversee timely costume changes and make sure each actor is in the right place at the right time?  Yes, we’re talking about stage managers. 

Joining us this summer for our productions of Much Ado About Nothing and The Tragedy of Coriolanus are Kenzie Hinchey and Abbie Johnson, two stage managers who deserve all the credit we can pass their way. Because without them, we’d be lost. All tragedy. No comedy. Or at least, no intended comedy.

Kenzie Hinchey is a recent UNB grad presently exploring a career on theatre’s technical side. She sees her role in The Tragedy of Coriolanus as a cast supporter, information manager, and problem solver. 

“A big challenge for any stage manager (SM) is keeping the constant communication between all the different departments,” says Kenzie. “An SM usually has to know the show quite well and keep the whole thing in mind while collaborating with props, costumes, technical directors, directors, actors, and anyone else involved. Especially once the show run has started, anything that goes wrong or breaks is brought to them with only so long before the next show to fix whatever it may be. 

During our summer run, Kenzie can be found near every scene, coordinating props and actors throughout each evening performance. 

“The Tragedy of Coriolanus has a pretty constant energy, which I love,” she said. “Every scene is a flurry of emotion that can switch from joy and celebration right to fury and tantrums. I love my cast and think they do a phenomenal job of keeping the energy high throughout the entirety of the show.”

Working with our Odell Park production of Much Ado About Nothing is Stage Manager Abbie Johnson. Abbie is currently studying English, drama, and Publishing, and has been involved in theatre since elementary school. She has starred in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and Grease at her old high school, and in recent productions of Museum and Henry V at Theatre UNB. She is also the vice-chair of Critique Club International, a group dedicated to helping support writers, poets, playwrights, and screenwriters from all over the world.

Abbie best describes the stage manager’s role as being the atlas to the play’s globe, communicating between departments, combing the script for props or costumes or set pieces, being there to help the director with decision-making, and helping the actors with their lines.

“What I love most about our production of Much Ado About Nothing is how well the cast blends with the director and with one another overall,” she said. “But even more than that, I love how the cast are willing to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and concerns to our lovely director Tilly Jackson. Much Ado is a brilliant play directed by an equally brilliant person!

Abbie is making her stage manager debut with this production. She says, although she took a class in stage management, theorical stage managing does not always equal practical stage managing.

“Thankfully, I have had great support from other stage managers like Kenzie and I also have had the support of the director and cast. It was a positive experience, and I hope to stage manager again!”