02/29/08
Many may assume that being a theater major means you love to act and be on stage, but for senior Susan Surman, that’s definitely not the case.
“I tried acting a little in high school, but I didn’t really like being on stage,” she said. “I don’t really like all the attention.”
For Surman, being backstage is her true calling.
“She is one of our best,” Tom Heiman, assistant professor of theater, said. “And, even though she has the respect of the faculty and fellow theater students, the work she does backstage is not celebrated like the guys on stage.”
Specializing in technical theater, Surman has been behind-the-scenes in many Baker theater productions. Despite one non-speaking role as a lemon in the fall production of “Marcus is Walking,” Surman has done more stage managing than anything else.
“She is an outstanding stage manager and technician. The stage manager is the most important role a student can have in a production,” Heiman said. “She is in charge of the smooth running of the show. Directors rely on the stage manager to keep rehearsals running on time and smoothly, as well as keeping the cast and crew on schedule and focused.”
She has also designed lights and is designing sound for this week’s production of “J.B.” By the time she graduates in May, Surman will have managed the stage for six Baker productions.
“Stage managing is what I want to go into ultimately,” she said.
And with a foot, or two, already in the door of the theater business, Surman shouldn’t have a problem reaching that goal. She interned at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre earlier this year.
“I was the assistant to the director for ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,'” Surman said. “I got to be at every rehearsal and every meeting with the tech crew. I also took notes if needed and acted as the liaison between the director and dramaturge.”
Surman also has a job set for after her graduation.
“I’ll be working at Harvest Productions in Kansas City, where I’ve worked off and on for two years during breaks,” she said. “It’s a company that rents out light and sound equipment, and it provides people to run the equipment at the events.”
Surman will be one of the people running the equipment at various events.
In her four years of experience in the theater department, Surman has won numerous awards including one from the American College Theater Festival in 2007.
“She has twice received the Baker outstanding technical award. She received the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Commendation for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design for ‘Story Theatre,'” Heiman said.
The theater department has not been Surman’s only involvement while at Baker. She was president of Phi Mu sorority last year and her sorority sisters are anything but shy when expressing how proud they are of Surman’s accomplishments.
“She’s a staple in Baker’s theater department,” senior Ashley Pike, also Surman’s roommate, said. “She’s been our go-to girl since she won the Newcomer Award her freshman year. She surprises everyone she meets without even trying.”
Pike also described Surman as extremely organized and a perfectionist, both of which are qualities needed when doing the stressful job of stage managing.
“You have to remember to take time to breathe,” Surman said. “It gets really hectic, but it’s fun.”
Her first stage managing experience came during her sophomore year with the show “Antigone.” But, her favorite stage managing experience was in Baker’s fall production of “Blithe Spirit.”
Surman will end her Baker theater experience by finishing her capstone later this spring.
“I will be stage managing the final show of the season,” she said.
After finishing her capstone, Surman’s Baker theater experience will soon come to an end, which has stirred emotions.
“Susan is one of the best I’ve had, and she will be missed next year,” Heiman said. “She has helped us set a standard that others can follow.”
Although Surman has enjoyed watching the theater department grow over the past four years, she can’t say she’s not excited about her future.
“I’d say I’ve had a pretty good experience,” she said. “I have mixed emotions about leaving, but I already know what I’m doing after graduation, and I’m definitely excited about that.”