Behind the Scenes

Matthew Glass

Name:  Matthew Glass

City of Birth:  Miami

City of Residence:  Wilton Manors

Occupation:  Actor/Director/Teacher

Last year’s credits
Started on Faculty at the New World School of the Arts (High school and college: Voice, Speech and Acting)
Started on faculty at Nova Southeastern University (Undergraduate Theatre Generalist)
By Any Other Name…Romeo & Juliet: Naked Stage, Voice and Speech Coach
Terminal Baggage: Mad Cat Theatre, Carbonell nominee Best Ensemble
Lonely Planet: Alliance Theatre Lab, played Carl
Summer Shorts 2006:  Director, play by Catherine Castinelli

How did you get into theatre?
Started as a li'l kid in dancing school, the classic "I Can Do That” situation from  A Chorus Line. I started doing musicals in high school and then moved into plays in college at New World School of the Arts.  Started directing plays in high school  and loved it.  Always knew this is what I wanted to do.

How did you get into the props side of theatre?
You are always are doing props if you direct in any small theatre. I also needed a summer job.

Besides handling props, what other theatrical jobs have you had?
I am mostly an actor/director. I am also teaching locally and found that I really enjoy working in the rehearsal studio, sometimes more than the performance. Currently I am working on The Bugchasers with Camposition. Opens in October at the Carnival Center. camposition.org

What traits should one have to be a good prop master?
Attention to detail. How to financially forecast your spending, so you do not go over budget. Enjoy research.  You must be able to understand from the actor's point of view how the prop is used, and to not let other people’s stress affect you.

What are some specific skills you’ve picked up on the job?
I am an amazing thrift store speed shopper. I can size up a second hand shop within 30 seconds of entering the store.

What are the specific prop challenges of Summer Shorts?
Anything from any play directed by Stuart Meltzer (Stuart loves props.) This year I was asked for a statue of St. Anthony with a pot of dried flowers at his feet and an attached aspersory bowl for holy water.

What has been the most unusual prop in Summer Shorts?
Last year we had to find things like a working golf cart, an antique aluminum Christmas tree, antique bathtubs, etc.

Where do you find the things you gather for a production?
Thrift-stores, eBay, borrowing items from the theatre community or my mom. My house. My partner Gus Kein, interim director of the BCPA Foundation, is always coming to see Summer Shorts and spotting his things on stage.

How much of what you need to gather for a production is in the script and how much comes from the director?
Equal. It depends on the director’s concept. A very realistic set is always going to require a larger number of props and set dressing, whereas in a pared down minimalist production of the same play you will have less props. This year we are striving for a simpler, cleaner prop experience.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Keeping within a budget. Time is always an issue.  Last year we mounted 16 plays in 3 weeks. Time. Time. Time.

What have been your favorite productions to work on and why?
Love Shakespeare. I had a ball working on Romance at GableStage and I love new work. I think the true test of a theatre artist is shaping new scripts for productions.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you on a production you worked on?
My body mike pack thingamadoo fell off my belt and down one leg of my pants, thus pulling my head back. I had to sing a really hard dramatic song, while shoving my hands down my pants to fix it, leaning backward. It looked a bit creepy.

What’s the worst thing that’s happened?
Fire alarms, sets falling down.

What’s the best thing about working in South Florida theatre?
It is still small enough to make a big impression on it.

Upcoming Productions:
12^th Annual Summer Shorts Festival, produced by City Theatre

June 7 to July 8 at Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami Call 305- 949-6722 or visit carnivalcenter.org/summershorts.