You may recognize him as Rocky in the Huntsville Theatre Company’s summer production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, or even as the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol. Now, Mark Rodrigues is embarking on a new role as HTC’s theatre manager, filling in the shoes of Jan Jacklin. Not only will he be working as theatre manager, Rodrigues will also be leading this year’s Theatre is My Passion children’s program.
Rodrigues has had an interesting and diverse career both on and off the stage. He shares some insight into his background and his hopes for the future of the Huntsville Theatre Company.
Q: Talk about your background experience that makes you perfect for this job?
A: My most recent salary job was an elementary school drama teacher at Bond Academy. I was the only drama teacher from grades one through eight, so the department was my responsibility. When it came to the end of the year performance, it was my job to organize the budget, secure costumes and props, assign jobs such as lighting and sound, make sure the stage was always clean, and so forth. In my first year I stumbled around a little and tried to stick to what I was most comfortable with. I directed a Shakespeare production, since that’s my expertise. By my second year, I was taking a lot more risks and they all paid off. I directed a two-hour musical, which meant I needed someone to teach choreography and singing. It also meant working a better sound system into the budget with stage mics included. This is where most of my managing experience comes from, but as a theatre manager in particular, I will offer much more.
I have significant experience in both acting and directing. I feel that I am the ideal voice for those involved in the shows themselves. I know what they need and what they don’t need. I have no fear in tackling sensitive subjects, such as directors playing favourites during auditions and choosing someone for a role based on personal history and not performance. Given my background as a performer and a theatre educator, I believe that I am coming from the perfect place to continue to build our little up-and-coming theatre and make sure it grows in a way that all theatre lovers will enjoy.
Q: What are you looking forward to as theatre manager?
A: I am most looking forward to working with the people I already know and love in a greater capacity. The Huntsville Theatre Company played a large role in my decision to move to Huntsville. I have always been impressed not only with their shows, but also with their camaraderie. As a “plus one” at many of their cast parties, I got to see the extent to which they celebrated a successful show run. I was also constantly asked (especially by Jan herself) to move here and be a part of future shows. The regulars of Huntsville Theatre Company welcomed me into the fold before I had even started living here. I fell in love with this theatre company and I’m looking forward to many more interactions with them.
I’m also really excited to get an all-access VIP backstage pass to auditions and shows. Jan got to sit in at every audition and throw in her two cents alongside the directors and I think that’s a great perk of the job. I will be working front of house quite often so I’ll get to see HTC’s amazing shows for free! There are a lot of things to be excited for and I know I’ll discover even more once the job really takes off.
Q: Do you have any ideas on what could make the company bigger and better?
A: I believe the key to making the company bigger and better is expanding our target audience. HTC has already done a fantastic job of that, always trying new things and taking risks to appeal to different groups of people. Rocky Horror is a perfect example of that. It was incredibly successful despite the controversial subject matter and the fact that it was a major musical put on in a tiny theatre.
This is how I would like to continue to make the company bigger and better. I would like to propose the idea of Shakespeare in the Park. Possibly even having an annual Shakespeare production if it is successful. This is something that HTC has not tried yet and I think there is definitely an audience for it. Also, our musicals will not end at Rocky Horror. Perhaps it may take some time as the company is now under new management so there’s a lot I’ll need to look into first, but my goal is to work towards another major musical and see where that takes us.
It is also very important to make sure we have a solid stage crew. I don’t think we’ll ever be short on actors since there is so much passion there, but I want to stress the importance of our unsung heroes. I will be directing this year’s Theatre is My Passion program and I want to find some new talent not just on stage, but behind the scenes as well. I want the children to catch not just the acting bug, but the production bug as well. I was in their shoes only about 10 years ago, so I can accurately relate to their experiences and I know that if the drama-loving youth are eager to help out, this company can grow exponentially.
Q: Any thoughts or fears on filling Jan’s shoes?
A: In my experience, I have had to follow many great acts on stage. Jan Jacklin will be the hardest act I’ve ever had to follow. This woman created HTC and is responsible for so much of what I love about Huntsville. The company has only grown under her supervision and she is well-liked by everyone that I’ve spoken to. She is what I will be compared to whether consciously or subconsciously. There is no one else who has had this precise role. So I am absolutely a little terrified. However, at the same time, I know how passionate I am about this company. I know that the decisions I make together with the board, the casts, and the crew will ultimately be in the best interests of the company. I know that if I make any mistakes I’m going to do everything in my power to make it right.
So with regards to my thoughts about filling Jan’s shoes, she has just finished her bow to a standing ovation. I’m waiting in the wings, feeding off of that audience’s energy and beyond excited to jump on that stage.
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