Behind the Stage: Talking 'A Doll's House Part 2' with Stage Manager, Alyssa Allen

After kicking off our season with “A Doll’s House”, the Department of Theatre and Dance at Auburn University is presenting a staged reading of “A Doll’s House Part 2”. Directed by Ashley Butler, this unique performance experience is free and open to the public. It is a great way to enjoy an evening at the theatre. Each night will feature a different cast, providing a totally unique and new experience! At the helm of this project on the technical side is senior BA Theatre major Alyssa Allen. 

Alyssa Allen is the stage manager for “A Doll’s House Part 2” and studies theatre with a focus in wardrobe. She has done a little bit of everything behind the scenes while at Auburn. Her previous Auburn credits include sound board operator for “Dancing Community: Cultivating our Roots”, assistant stage manager for “Holiday Memories” and “The Theory of Relativity”, wardrobe crew for “Big Fish” and “The Belle’s Stratagem”, assistant wardrobe supervisor for “Bring It On” and “A Doll’s House”, and wardrobe supervisor for “Little Women”, “New Day Dawning”, and “The Future is Here”. Her favorite show that she was part of at Auburn was “Bring It On”. She said, “It was special because it was the last show before the pandemic and it was on my mind for so long. It was a very easy to work with group of people!” 

Unlike many other management positions, Alyssa volunteered for this piece. She saw that no one was placed on the production and felt compelled to work on it. Alyssa has served as Ashley Butler’s TA for Intro to Theatre for Non-majors for a couple of years now and has built a relationship with her. Coupled with previous management experience, she knew she wanted to contribute her time. 

Alyssa’s job started when she came in to help with callbacks. Once the casts were settled, her main job was doing basic paperwork and collecting forms from the three casts and the stage direction reader. She said, “It is not too different from other projects, but a little less intense. I still track everything we do for the reports and facilitate breaks every hour and 20 minutes. But I am not doing blocking or line notes since it is a reading.” At rehearsals, Alyssa shared that they take the time to read through the show one cast at a time. They also are spending a lot of time on character work. Since multiple people are playing the same character, she enjoys seeing how different lines mean different things to different casts. Alyssa shared, “Lines you did not notice before can really stand out!” 

Since this is a staged reading there is only one tech person and it is her. She will be the light board operator and the sound board operator as well. Since there is also no Assistant Stage Manager she will have to be in the booth while the actors are downstairs on their own. Alyssa predicts that this show’s biggest challenge will be ensuring everything happens on time while being in a different place. She is looking forward to this challenge.  

Alyssa says that people should watch the show because it is a good contemporary sequel to “A Doll’s House”. She said, “It’s new and easy to understand and comprehend. I think people will be surprised at how entertaining a reading can be without all the spectacle. I would recommend seeing it because the actors have done hard work to make sure that it will be enjoyable and I think people will really enjoy it! I know I have!” 

A Doll's House Part 2 (A Staged Reading)

By Lucas Hnath

Directed by Ashley Butler

Features Adult Language

Telfair B. Peet Black Box Theatre

Thur. Oct. 21 @ 7:30pm*
Fri. Oct. 22 @ 7:30pm*
Sat. Oct. 23@ 7:30pm*

*Talkback after show

A Doll's House Part 2 is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Last Updated: October 20, 2021