There's a lot of work that goes into each production by ECHO Players, and a ton of organization happens behind the scenes to pull off a show.
For a producer and stage manager like Linda Attley, they have to consider everything from having the set built, to budgets, lights and sound, advertising and rehearsals — and all within a certain timeframe.
“You’ve got your hands in everything that’s going on," said Attley, who has produced with ECHO Players for close to 25 years. “It’s a big job and a lot of people don’t like to do it, but as long as you’re organized, I love it.”
A producer does pretty well everything except work directly with the cast, she added, but they need to arrange to have actors at auditions, look after graphics for posters, the list goes on. It's a lot of organization and responsibility.
"You’re probably talking 40, 50 people a show," Attley said. "Lining up all the people to do the jobs that are needed."
She and her husband have been involved with theatre for about 35 years, starting while they were still living in Ontario. Attley tried a few different roles in the theatre, including on stage as an actor, but found she enjoyed the behind-the-scenes work the most.
“When we moved to the Island we saw Qualicum and we saw this perfect theatre, and we’ve been involved ever since,” Attley said.
Every show is different and comes with a new cast of characters. Often Attley works with many people she has never met before.
It's a challenge, she said, because the show could be a drama, a musical, or a Christmas show with 30 cast members. Producing a play is a lot of fun, she added, but it can also be stressful some times.
“You’ve got time restrictions, so you’re always running to try and keep ahead,” Attley said. “The good thing is we’ve got so many great people here that are willing to jump in and help.”
ECHO Players put on five shows a year, with each taking six months from start to closing curtain. The productions overlap, in the sense that right now Deathtrap is on the Village Theatre stage, while the spring show The Revolutionists is in rehearsals and the summer play Kinky Boots just got started. Attley usually produces one show per year.
Over the course of a production, the cast and crew get to know each other well, even if many of them started off as strangers, she said.
“You have to get to know each other, get to know your cast and crew," Attley said. "It takes about six months from the time you start your auditions that the show finishes and you become a family, really.”
Some of her best memories with ECHO over the past quarter century include working with Nicola Cavendish, a professional actress, on Fallen Angels, “she’s a fantastic person and you learn so much from her.”
Another highlight for Attley has been working with director Michael Armstrong, including on the 2024 play Longing, written by Armstrong about his mother.
“Very poignant, very touching," Attley said. "He had quite the life and we wanted to know more about him and find out more about his mother and his family. That was a very emotional show.”
Her advice for people looking to follow in her footsteps as a producer? Get involved.
"This is one of the best things you can do because the people that are here — there’s so many experienced and knowledgeable people, and talented," she said. "Whether it’s on stage acts, off stage. It’s a hobby but you can get as committed as you want.”
Not everyone can sign on for a six-month commitment, but ECHO Players still draws in many volunteers, from youth right up to senior citizens.
“To me it’s not a hobby, it’s a love. It’s a passion,” said Attley.
