Everyone who has worked at Conejo Players the last few years knows Kristin Krause and her wonderful family. Kristin, Joe, Belle, and Hunter work on almost every show, helping with sound and lights, working backstage and doing everything to make every show run smooth. We talked with Kristin about her experience, her interests and plans.
Which Job is more interesting for you and why?
That is difficult to choose as each show brings its fun and challenges.
As a producer I get the opportunity to make more connections with the cast and crew as I tend to be hands-on, going to a lot of rehearsals and really trying to be that liaison between actor and director.
Which production was a real challenge for you?
From a backstage standpoint, Velveteen Rabbit was a challenge, from helping design the toy costumes, implementing ideas, and then designing all the faces. That was the first time having to do stage make-up for an actual show. From a producer perspective, I would have to say Sleeping Beauty as we had understudies to balance rehearsal, last minute cast changes, and illness. I enjoy the challenges though as they push me to expand my theatre knowledge and talents. I have learned how to do more than I thought I could.
Is the production of Lend Me a Tenor different from others and why?
Many aspects of being a producer on this show are the same as other shows. This show was different for me because I do not have any real knowledge of Opera music. Trying to make sure the music you are going to use is in the key the actors learned it, when you are not familiar with that style of music, can be tough. The other challenge on this production was time. I had to teach and work with the make-up artists (they did awesome!) to make sure they could get the clown face on and off in the allotted time, which was not much and making sure the mic stayed clean. Trying different ideas to save time was difficult.
Each job has been a learning experience and will continue to be. I seem to keep finding new ways to do things, whether it is simply better organization or making rigging to be able to better hide mics. My most favorite thing is that we get to do all this as a family.
What else does this season bring you?
I will be doing light design for Anne of Green Gables, produce Ave Q, and help run sound for Beetlejuice Jr.
We are so happy to have such great people in our theatre! Best wishes to Kristin and her family! CPT is a lucky theatre having so many wonderful families, which generation after generation, are bringing their beautiful art to the community!
“This is an outstanding cast for a community theater production. Mastrovito is the master clue bender — sly, humorous, humble and yet sharply observant. He is Christie’s version of Sherlock Holmes. Miller is his Dr. Watson. The humor and hubris of the show are captured by Potter, who is reminiscent of Madeline Kahn. And Latham’s performance as an imperious Russian royal is a perfect foil for Poirot’s gentle, polite persona… This production proves once and for all that Christie is the master, and Poirot is her genius.”
“The cast is solid throughout… The clever revolving set designed by Conejo mainstay Rick Steinberg illuminates aspects of the train interior, all well-appointed to highlight the sumptuous feel of the 1930’s era… Delicious period costuming appeals to the eye and accents the various characters in fine form… All the characters are excellently played, forming a tight ensemble to move the mystery along… the mystery prevails and holds the audience to the end… It is time well spent. ”
