Hazel: Technical Theatre PortfolioUIL One-Act Play
Rue (UIL OAP)
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Rue was the production that brought the deepest sorrow and the greatest joy of my theatre life. As Stage Manager, I was responsible for the heartbeat and execution of the show.
Calling the show
My responsibilities included calling every cue, managing all scene changes, and keeping the entire cast and crew organized, focused, and calm. I tracked every detail and became the communication bridge between directors, actors, and tech — giving directions kindly, supporting others in their uncertainty, and mediating conflicts quietly and effectively.
The quiet rock backstage
There were moments when personal challenges, cast anxieties, or technical mishaps threatened to upend rehearsals. I stepped up as the immovable rock backstage, absorbing the stress, the joy, and the breakdowns of the company, and meeting each one with steady strength. Being praised by directors and guest mentors for my professionalism meant a lot, but what stayed with me most was the trust my team placed in me.
Through Rue, my viewpoint changed: I do not need a spotlight to know my value. I am enough.
From the Prompt Book
Selected stage management paperwork from Rue. Actor names are replaced with character names.
Play Analysis — Rue
A 19-slide analysis of the script I prepared for the production.
Plot structure from exposition and conflict through rising action, climax, falling action and resolution — the foundation I used for calling the show and supporting the director’s vision.
Dramaturgy Research
Background research on the world of the play, prepared for the director, props and actors.
The folk traditions of Louisiana that shape the play’s world: candle colors and their meanings, protective jars and herbs, gris-gris bags, and the history of the New Orleans figure Marie Laveau — research that informed props like Miz Creesha’s jar and herbs.
UIL OAP Prop Preset List
Play: Rue by Mandy Conner · Stage Manager: Hazel
I. Stage Left Wing
- Bag — contains Hamlet book and Bug Salve. Set for entrance.
- Flashlights — all units tested and staged for actors.
II. Swamp Structure
- Swamp Stick — set downstage swamp; hidden from the audience.
- Feu Follet Fabric — set upstage swamp; hidden from the audience.
III. Miz Creesha’s Hut
- Hut Jar — inside Hut pylon. Confirm no lid on the jar.
- Hut Herbs — on Hut sticks. Confirm stability of knots.
- Hut Furs — draped on Hut sticks.
- Hut Sticks — attached to each other, placed around the Hut pylons.
- Hut Branches — set on Hut structure.
IV. Dreamscape
- Loup-Garou Mask — secured inside Dreamscape pylon.
- Dreamscape Branches — placed at top of rod.
- Curtain and Rod — set at Dreamscape structure.
- Geraldine Baby — Mother verifies placement for entrance.
V. Actor Self-Checks
- Mother — Geraldine Baby is ready.
- Father / Loup-Garou — mask is in pylon.
- Josephine — stick is in front of swamp.
- Miz Creesha — jar is in pylon.
- Lyle, The Man, Echoes — flashlights are in wings.
- Feu Follet — fabric is upstage of the swamp.
- Kassie — Hamlet and Salve are inside the Bag.
Costume Plot
Underclothes standard: nude or white tank top and bike shorts (black for the swamp creatures).
| Character | Costume |
|---|---|
| Josephine | Olive overalls, brown shirt, vertical-striped overshirt, olive boots |
| Mother | White barrel-sleeve shirt, crochet vest, jeans, pink flats |
| Father / Loup-Garou | Tan T-shirt, jeans, wolf headpiece |
| Don | Orange plaid shirt, light-wash jeans, black sneakers |
| Willa | Black tank, black leggings, green cheesecloth additions |
| Battry | Black tank, black lounge pants, green cheesecloth additions |
| Kassie Boggs | Pink/blue striped top, blue jean skirt, Keds |
| Flora Boggs | White T-shirt, pink denim dress, Keds |
| Lyle Boggs | Red plaid button-down, khakis, boots |
| Anita Justice | Red gingham dress, flats |
| Miss Vickie | Blue striped dress, flats |
| Miz Creesha | Black tank, purple feathers, black pants, purple corset, jazz shoes |
| The Man | Light red/pink shirt, khakis, boots |
| Echo / Townsperson | Black-and-white gingham shirt, khakis, boots |
| Echo / The Man’s Son | Blue-and-white striped shirt, khakis, boots |
Clinic Day — Checklist & Delegations
Pack the set
- Curtain, rod, jar, herb bottles, bag, Hamlet book
- Branches for top of curtain and Miz Creesha’s hut branches, furs
- Sandbags counted and stacked securely; clamps gathered and packed
- All LED units charged
Costume accessories
- Glasses, Loup-Garou mask, Feu Follet masks, fireflies
Actor supplies
- Actors pack personal items — water, snacks, hair products and personal makeup — to avoid sharing.
Rehearsal Notes — Excerpt
A sample of the notes I took during runs and passed to the company.
- Josephine — good job coming downstage when you talk; it really opened up the scene.
- Echoes — come in earlier; good job on overlapping.
- Don — slow down your lines; find a purpose and beats for your movement.
- Josephine — good build into the panic attack; find its climax so you can calm down slowly.
- Mother — good emotion and urgency; try a more maternal, calming voice.
- Battry — the draping needs to be cleaner, in one swoosh. Don’t leave the fabric on the floor.
- Miz Creesha — good job closing the book loudly to get attention.
- Wings — we can hear you.
Designs for Rue
