Ryann St. Julien (they/he) is a theatre technician based in Portland, Oregon. They recently received a B.A. in theater from Lewis and Clark College, where their credits include props master for The Secretaries, (Lewis and Clark College); and Medea (Lewis and Clark College). They were a member of the scene shop crew for Lewis and Clark productions of Medea, Passion Play, The Secretaries, Cabaret, The Christians, Stupid Fucking Bird, and Sweeney Todd. They have worked around Portland on productions such as King of the Yees (Profile Theater), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Profile Theater), A Christmas Carol (Portland Playhouse), Chicken and Biscuits (Portland Playhouse), and Home/Land (Hand2Mouth).
“Alas, poor Yorick!” wouldn’t come to life without Hamlet holding a skull in his hand. Props themselves can be characters in a show if given the right life. My role as a theatre technician supports the merging of two different worlds: one created by actors, and the other by designers. I bring visions to life that offer an original and engaging experience to the cast and audience. I immerse myself in the world of a show through intensive research. My goal is to enable actors to make their best choices by engaging with authentic physical spaces. This helps them inhabit the interior lives of their characters. I want to know how actors feel about everything they interact with. Are the poisons arranged just so in the kitchen cabinet? Is the bar cart in the living room stocked with the character’s favorite liquors? Does the severed arm look like it was cut with a chainsaw? As a run crew member, I get a different perspective of the show and can adapt the way set pieces and props move around for the smoothest transitions. Creating props and set dressing is like putting skin on the bones of a production. It makes everything feel whole. Working in many of the technical sides of a production allows the feeling of community to grow from the first meeting. The more areas I can assist designers in creating their visions, the more I can connect with my fellow technicians. |