At age 22, Alvin woman is stage manager for Houston theater

Don Maines, correspondent

update

Thursday, October 31, 2019 9:10 AM CDT

Alvin's Kalin Menzel found a niche in the theater behind the scenes.

The 2015 graduate of Pearland High School is the stage manager and communications coordinator of the 4th Wall Theater Company, a professional group in Houston.

Menzel, 22, said, “When I was in my second year in high school, I was active in my village.

But convinced that the theater was her calling, Menzel joined the "Running Crew" of the PHS musical "South Pacific", winning the 2013 Tommy Tune Awards for Best Music and Top Crew and Technology.

"I immediately fell in love with it," he said. "Talking really tells me. I also enjoyed a sense of community, especially in high school theatres."

After graduating from Pearland, Menzel entered San Jacinto College South, where Kevin Holden, professor and art director of the Theater and Film Department, placed Menzel as an intern at the 4th Wall.

“I was exposed to many wonderful people who were kind to me as a beginner.

Satisfied with her work, the theater hired Menzel as a communications manager in charge of the show, including stage managers for each show during the 2019-2020 season.

As a communications manager, she interacts with reporters and theater patrons through email and social media explosions.

Fragile & # 39; Mena Gary & # 39; sculpture and other tricky challenges

Menzel, 4th Wall's stage manager, was technically opposed to the task that Pearland High stage crew faced running Nile Forbush running a running shower in the “South Pacific” as he sang “I & # 39; m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair. May face problems that are ”

For Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" held from November 2 to April 4, the "glass" doll was broken at each show and another set was prepared for the next one.

To support this work, the theater was supported by Pasadena's Dobby High School technical theater teacher Santiago Sepeda and five students from Dobby's production internship program.

They made plastic molds, made of resin. So if it breaks, it can be safely handled, ”Menzel said.

4th Wall recently became the sixth theater group in Houston, providing a program that allows stage managers and performers to provide work on the final membership of a live theater combination, according to the Actor & # 39; s Equity Association.

"This is a 4th Walls effort that will continue to raise artistic wages, provide a wealth of opportunities for Houston's artists and help develop a national dialogue for Houston's growing professional performing arts community in Houston," Menzel said. "I thought it was a hobby for me, not a way to make a living."

4th Wall is located at Studio 101 at Spring Street Studios at 1824 Spring St. in Houston.

Upcoming show Menzel will be managing the stage includes "The Realistic Joneses" by Will Eno (January 17-February 8) and "Riverside and Crazy" by Stephen Adly Guirgis (March 13-April 4). Production and “The Pavilion” by Craig Wright (May 15-June 6).

Call 832-767-4991 or visit www.4thwalltehatreco.com for more information on the group's benefits on November 15.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.net.