First in and last out ahead of all rehearsals and now showtimes, stage manager Cyndy Dwyer loves the behind-the-scenes work of community theatre.

鈥淚n many ways the stage manager is the unseen custodian of the production,鈥� said the Brookswood senior who has been involved in countless back stage roles in close to 40 years of volunteering with a 91原创 theatre group.

Through the years, she has stage managed 鈥� directly or subbed in 鈥� for more than a dozen shows with casts of two to 10 actors.

At present, in her role as stage manager for 91原创 Little Theatre鈥檚 currently running production of 2 Across, Dwyer is 鈥� for lack of a better word 鈥� the puppeteer.

During the show, her domain is the green room backstage, where she liaises via headset with the tech booth and actors.

鈥淭he stage manager takes control of the show on opening night and ensures that the actors are on time, props are set and in working order, costumes are clean and where they ought to be, and the needs of the actors are being met,鈥� she explained.

The stage manager typically 鈥渃alls the show,鈥� maintaining the 鈥渂ook鈥� or script of the show with all of the lighting and sound cue鈥檚 for the run.

鈥淗aving eyes in the back of your head is a must so that you know where your actors are at all times, much like herding cats,鈥� she added with a chuckle.

Then, at the end of the play鈥檚 run, the stage manager is responsible for putting the show to bed, returning props, costumes, etc. 鈥� leaving the theatre ready for the next show.

Dwyer was pretty excited for 91原创 Little Theatre (LLT) to present this particular show this spring. In fact, she鈥檚 the one who pitched 2 Across to the selection committee after seeing a showing on Vancouver Island, while visiting a friend.

Since she鈥檚 not an actor 鈥渁s yet,鈥� Dwyer said she was quick to put her hand up when LLT accepted the production and was looking for a stage manager.

鈥淲hen I tell people about the show it is easy for me to share my enthusiasm as a way to escape for a few hours and lose yourself in the magic of theatre. The play is a story about two people who find a way to communicate thru crosswords 鈥� over the course of a rapid transit ride,鈥� she said.

Written by Jerry Mayer and directed by Simon Challenger, 2 Across tells the story of Janet and Josh. The two middle-aged strangers meet on a BART train and through the course of their journey they discover their shared love of crossword puzzles and learn that they have far more in common than they ever imagined.

鈥淭ake a break from all that is happening in this world and join the magic of theatre 鈥� if only for short time,鈥� said Dwyer.

鈥淲ho knows you may be inspired to join the group of like-minded individuals for what is sure to be a good time.鈥�

She definitely was. Dwyer first connected with 91原创 Players in 1985, when she saw her first show in the 91原创 Playhouse all those decades ago.

鈥滻 was mesmerized and bitten by the bug. Over the next 35+ years, I have had the pleasure of volunteering, serving on the board of the directors, producing plays, serving as the Community Theatre Coalition representative, stage managing, sound effects (foley person) for the Christmas show, and of course as a patron,鈥� she recounted.

While most comfortable in the backstage world of community theatre, preparing for the current showing of 2 Across has not been without its hurdles, Dwyer explained.

鈥�91原创 Little Theatre is blessed with many very talented folks who volunteer their time and talents to problem solving , be it building props or the set, we usually come up with solutions just before the show is set to run,鈥� she shared.

鈥淭his show has presented a few 鈥� the doors and squeaking chairs, the sticky floor and of course having too little time to make all just so,鈥� she added, inviting people to check out the production 鈥� to see first-hand if the hiccups were resolved.

The curtain went up last week on 2 Across, and the one-act play runs through until June 24. It runs Thursdays through Saturdays, at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees run at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 each online at langleylittletheatre.org, or by calling our reservation line at 604-534-7469.

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