This is the third class in a four-part course featuring the casts and crews of four local theaters that will give insight into how they function. Instructors will include Artistic Directors, Playwrights, Actors, Set and Costume Designers, and Marketing Directors. They will explain what goes into a theatre production, how they select shows and who writes them, how they find performers, who directs and manages the shows, how they make sets and stage the lighting and the sound, how much it costs to run a production, and many other aspects of running a theater. They will also give us an exciting sneak peek into their upcoming seasons.

This class will be taught by a representative of the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, otherwise known as WHAT. Christopher Ostrom, WHAT’s Producing Artistic Director, will share the 40-year history of Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, from their humble beginnings on Wellfleet Harbor through the construction of the state-of-the-art Julie Harris Stage, and their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He will discuss his approach to programming and producing an eclectic season, and the unique circumstances that WHAT faces as one of the Cape’s only fully professional theater companies, including negotiations with the three major theatrical unions (Actors’ Equity Association, The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, United Scenic Artists Local USA-829 of the IATSE) and negotiating with agents. Christopher will discuss WHAT’s sustainability initiative that encompasses adopting environmentally friendly business practices, programs to strengthen and engage the community, and creating fiscal resiliency.

The course will conclude on April 23 with a representative from the Harbor Stage Company in Wellfleet.

Presented by the Friends of Snow Library. To register or for more information, visit https://friendsofsnowlibrary.org/lifetime-learning-program/.