Randall Kleiser and Grease
Grease was the brainchild of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It was originally a smutty look at high school in the 50s.
Bringing Family into the Theatre
Grand Rapids Players’ production of “Fiddler on the Roof“. Editor’s note: This article is from the Grand Rapids Players’ newsletter and is reprinted here with permission. Grand Rapids players will be our hosts for MACT*Fest 2027 at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids in February of 2027. What an audience might not realize about the
Digital Scenery
Behind the Scenes by John Miller – March 2024 King Triton’s court, Ursula’s Lair, and a storm-tossed Galleon; are just a few of the many scenes set under and over the sea in the Reif Theater Arts production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. How do we go about designing these scenes without breaking our
I Hate Sound!
Behind the Scenes by John Miller – February 2025 It’s been said that “Everyone knows how to do two jobs, their own and sound.” OK, it was me, I said that! But it’s true! I’ve never had anyone come back to me at the light board and complain that they can’t see the actors, but
Hairball: By the Numbers
Behind the Scenes by John Miller – June 2025 No, it’s not the next winning Powerball numbers, but if they are, I want a cut! It’s Hairball by the numbers! ㉕ We got lucky! Hairball was originally scheduled for September 2024. But the September date conflicted with a radius clause for another of their concerts,
Winter Dance Party
Behind the Scenes by John Miller – January 2024 n January of 1959, a twenty-four day musical tour of the Midwest began in Milwaukee. Twelve days later the “Winter Dance Party” would end in tragedy on Feb 3, 1959. 2026 will mark the 67th anniversary of “The Day The Music Died.” The number one and
Lion King Jr.
Behind the Scenes by John Miller – November 2025 No one sets out to make a bad movie. No one sets out to make a classic movie. Somewhere during development, filming, editing and marketing a film can go either way. In theater there are dozens of people behind the scenes, in film it’s thousands. Sometimes,
