By day, South 91原创 resident Amber Schneider drives a street sweeper through the roadways of Surrey.
But by night, and just about any other spare time she can find, the 28-year-old woman is engaged behind the scenes of local community theatre.
That's when her creative side emerges.
"Theatre is a space for creative like-minded people to come and be who they are, sharing a passion of performance and backstage creativity," said Schneider, who is Theatre in the Country鈥檚 stage manager for the Canadian premiere of 鈥淭he Da Vinci Code,鈥� which debuts on the 91原创 stage this week.
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Now, audiences can experience the story鈥檚 high-stakes mystery live on stage, as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks in the 2006 movie) and cryptologist Sophie Neveu race against time to uncover a hidden truth buried for centuries.
When Schneider learned that Theatre in the Country was presenting "The Da Vinci Code," she knew she had to be involved.
"I watched the movie with my dad, and loved the book. So when the opportunity came up to be the first in Canada to do 'The Da Vinci Code,' I had to be a part of it." she said.
While Schneider did some acting in high school, and fills in for actors when they're away, she said her heart truly lies behind the scene. And that's where she's excited to be once again for this production.
"I enjoy the technical aspects of the show, the creation and organization of the magic that goes on behind the actors鈥� It's making a stage made of wood and paint look like a whole new world. A place where you can work any job by day, whether it be a street sweeper, insurance agent, teacher, recycling depot manager, construction worker, but then come and hang out with people from different aspects of life that normally you wouldn't cross paths with. Together you create something wonderful and tell a story, I absolutely love it," she said.
As for this show, when asked what was the most difficult aspects of her job on Da Vinci, Schneider said it is having to keep track of all the cues.
"This is a highly technical show so we constantly have sound, lighting, and projection cues鈥� It is a thrilling mystery with lots of technical elements that may seem simple at first glance or even to the audience, but if we mess up, you'll surely know," she shared.
"The Da Vinci Code" isn't the first Theatre in the Country show Schneider has stage managed. In fact, since she first became involved backstage with community theatre in 2018 鈥� with the Bard in the Valley's showing of Romeo and Juliet 鈥� she hasn't stepped spent much time away from theatre.
She's stage managed everything from "Amadeus" and "Christmas Carol" to "Sound of Music" and "Murder On The Orient Express," plus also helping out with set moving, props, set building and decorating, and even lighting on shows such as "Catch Me If You Can," "Steel Magnolias," White Christmas," and "ELF," to "Mary Poppins," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Schneider is excited to see the curtain go up on this mystery, encouraging theatre-goers not to miss it.
"'The Da Vinci Code' is everything you love about the book and movie, the thrill and mystery but live on stage," she said.
"The puzzles, action and hidden codes will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. If you're into history, art, or just love a good twist, this show will hit all the right notes. Whether you鈥檙e a fan of the original story or just looking for something gripping and unpredictable, the plot twists will have you hooked. Trust me, you don鈥檛 want to miss this one!"
Performances will run from Wednesday, Jan. 29, to Feb. 15, with dinner and theatre starting at 6:30 p.m., and show only at 7:30 p.m. There will be one matinee on Saturday, Feb. 8. Tickets are available online at: theatreinthecountry.com, or for more information people can call 778-908-2521 or email boxoffice@theatreinthecountry.com.
Director Reg Parks added, 鈥淎dapting such a sweeping adventure for the stage is both a challenge and an honour. Our amazing cast and crew are excited to bring the intrigue and drama of Dan Brown鈥檚 novel to life for our audiences."
