Career Options
The man behind the scenes at The Lion KingAs production stage manager of Disney's The Lion King, John Gray spends a considerable amount of time watching the show as a member of the audience at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre. Only then can he ensure the audience is enjoying the best show possible. |
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 [ 2002-04-03 ] |
"Being able to anticipate problems is important," says John Gray, production stage manager, The Lion King.
"Everything is geared to the audience's experience," Gray says.
An enormous amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make that possible. "First and foremost, my job is about ensuring the best show gets on safely, as close to the scheduled performance time as possible, each and every day," says Gray, 48.
Planning and scheduling everyone involved in the show, from actors to technical crews, is crucial to the success of each performance. Equally important is the ability to solve problems as they arise, while recognizing time and financial constraints.
Problems vary from one performance to another, from a puppet that doesn't work to a hat that doesn't fit, to an actor who's frustrated with a piece of equipment or nervous about their performance.
"Being able to anticipate problems is important," Gray says. "It's about knowing the history of a certain performer or a particular piece of equipment. Experience teaches you that."
Gray has been involved in theatre for 21 years. And while he's as passionate as ever about his career, it wasn't something he set out to do -- his early resume included work in construction and at a financial institution.
When a friend's parents needed someone to manage the box office at their small theatre, Gray saw an opportunity for an interesting experience. By the time he began managing the theatre, he became fascinated with lighting, even sneaking in after the theatre closed to experiment with its effects on a single chair placed at centre stage.
But Gray still didn't recognize theatre as a career opportunity until he sat down with his parents at age 25 to discuss his future. That's when he realized the job that brought him most enjoyment was managing the theatre.
He was accepted into the National Theatre School of Canada. Located in Montreal, the prestigious school unites all elements of theatre arts -- acting, playwriting, directing, scenography and technical production.
His sights set on a career as stage manager, Gray registered in the technical production program. Upon graduation, he landed his first job as the assistant stage manager at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto.
Over the next decade, Gray moved across the country to work on various productions, returning to Toronto when Pat Thomas, the production stage manager for Cats, recommended Gray replace her when she left the show.
"That was my first musical," says Gray, whose list of credits now includes numerous Toronto musicals, including Les Miserables, Tommy, Jane Eyre and Miss Saigon, as well as such US productions as Chicago and The King and I.
"You need endurance," Gray says of his career. "You need the flexibility and strength to go through different periods. It's not a stable career. There's always change."
That change has afforded Gray the opportunity to work with unforgettable people, including Julie Taymor (director/costume and puppet designer of The Lion King), Garth Fagan (choreographer of The Lion King), John Caird (director of Jane Eyre) and Nicholas Hytner (director of Miss Saigon).
Their influences remain strong. "They have a clarity of vision that is awesome...They don't see the way ordinary people see -- they aren't ordinary, they are extraordinary. It's thrilling to contribute to the realization of their visions."
As he looks forward to his second anniversary with The Lion King, presented by Mirvish Productions, Gray will take a short break to work on Indian Ink, which will play at The St. Lawrence Centre in April.
Gray continues to embrace new opportunities. "Wherever I go, I still remain fascinated by the theatre. People talk about it being old or dying, but I don't think that could ever happen. It's an emotional experience, how actors affect us with their joy, longings, thrill and pain."
(Linda White is a freelance writer based in Brooklin, Ont. and can be reached at linda.white@rogers.com.)
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