Unseen, Behind the Scenes... No More

Former "prompter" Julia Mark takes to the stage in this year's TVAC Productions presentation of Fiddler on the Roof

By Shelly Franklin
Photos by David Frame

When the Touchet Valley Arts Council decides to do something, people around here naturally expect something big. This fall season's production of Fiddler on the Roof promises to be another great show. Theater patrons are accustomed to seeing fantastic sets, beautiful costumes, talented actors and actresses and listening to accomplished musicians. All this magic couldn't take place without a tremendous amount of dedication by many people that the audience doesn't see, because they're not supposed to!

There are the people who work backstage, organizing props and lights and curtain pulling, not to mention the hairdressing and makeup people and those who hang up clothes in the dressing rooms. One of the most important jobs in live theater is that of the "prompter". You know, the person who sits in an inconspicuous spot and tries not to be seen or heard, but without whom, the show simply might not "go on".

Julia Mark began her career at the Liberty as a viola player in the orchestra for the very first theater production of "Music Man". She played in the orchestra and between songs, she sat and watched and looked at the script. She began by feeding the players lines as they needed them during rehearsals. The players began to depend upon her. The director realized the importance of having someone to fill that role. The players got so that they depended on her to be at all their rehearsals.

Julia eventually was assigned prompting officially. She loved it. "It's hard for me to put the script down and just watch, now," she says. The hardest thing for her happened when the actors skipped ahead a page or two. Her job was to try to save them by feeding them a line which could get them back on track. She says, "I gradually got so familiar with the script that it wasn't as hard as someone might think. Some people are more dependable learning lines than others and that often depends on how difficult their lines are."

The summer before "Oliver", in 19xx, Julia decided that because of some new personal responsibilities that she was going to have to give up prompting. To be a reliable prompter, one must be at most every rehearsal. While shopping at Wal-Mart one day, she ran into Greg and Susan Schlenz. She mentioned that she wasn't going to be the prompter for that year. Susan had always wanted to try it! Julia says, "The rest is history." Susan Schlenz has filled the role of prompter for the past several shows. It's a tricky job and it takes a person with real dedication.

Julia has always enjoyed performance and the local theater has given her the opportunity to remain involved. Music has been a major part of her life. She graduated from Whitman College as a Music Major and played violin and viola with the Walla Walla Symphony for eight years. She moved to Dayton nine and a half years ago to be nearer her son.

This year Julia is a member of the chorus in "Fiddler" and is having a ball. Every year she looks forward to the fall musical. She admits that prompting was her favorite job and she does miss it sometimes. However, she is always impressed with the talent and she loves to see people, especially the kids, blossom before her eyes. "Every year it is a great community endeavor," Says Julia.

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