In a play where time glows, greed glimmers, and tragedy quietly unfolds, the backstage crew at “These Shining Lives” transformed the story’s emotional weight into powerful visuals and sound, turning the technical side of theater into storytelling magic.
A Look Behind the Curtain
Creating the world of “These Shining Lives” took more than just talented actors, it required intentional lighting design, carefully timed sound effects, and seamless backstage coordination. Behind the curtains, the production team poured weeks of detailed work into building a moving visual and auditory experience that matched the play’s emotional depth.
Marina Prather, the production’s stage manager, was the powerful engine behind the show’s backstage operation.
“My job was to make sure everything ran smoothly, whether that meant handling transitions, supporting crew, or fixing quick prop issues in real-time,” Prather said.
Prather’s days began before the actors even arrived.
“I tracked attendance, prepared the stage, and took detailed notes for lighting, sound, and props,” she said. These notes became part of nightly rehearsal reports, which kept communication flowing between the cast, director, and tech crew. During shows, Prather stays backstage, on alert for anything that needs attention.
“I made sure everyone was safe and confident,” she said. “I didn’t call the cues for this show, but I made sure I knew where we were at all times.”
Lighting the Way
While Prather managed backstage, Ryan Skinder and Remington Schleyhahn tackled the show’s elaborate lighting design, one of the production’s most visually striking elements. The lighting process began months in advance and took over 70 hours to program.
“We had 150 cues in the final show,” Skinder said, “But we programmed many more during design. The lights helped reflect the tone and symbolism, like the use of green for radium and corporate greed, and purple for time.”
Lighting was more than just decoration, it played a central storytelling role. Early scenes are warm and inviting, using white and blue to symbolize happiness. As the play progressed, the lighting became colder and darker.
“It mirrored the way life was being drained from the characters,” Schleyhahn said.
Move the slider left and right to change the lighting color and see the shift in the photo’s mood.
One of the most memorable moments was the Lake Michigan scene, where the lighting became a moment of relief.
“It was the warmest, happiest scene, and oddly comforting for us to light,” Skinder said. But the final scene was their most powerful, a visual tribute where individual stars lit up, representing the lives lost due to radium exposure.
“It was solemn, beautiful, and worth every bit of the challenge.”
To play around with lighting more, visit this interactive site to learn more about how it can affect moods.
The Power of Props
The props in “These Shining Lives” played a vital role in grounding the historical context and enhancing each scene. From vintage-style office tools to glowing radium-dial watches, every item was carefully selected to reflect the 1920s and 30s era.
See the actors surrounded by props, as each one serves a purpose.
Pictured are the table, cups, and chairs, patiently awaiting their turn to take center stage and help tell their story.
Catch some great photos from the ONU Theatre Instagram highlighting some props.
Watch How Props Were Used During the Production of These Shining Lives
To learn more about the background behind These Shining Lives, visit The History of Radium for an article written by Eli Kayser.
