Aspinwall backstage key to youth theater group's success

IRONWOOD - The big question for those who attended the Awkward Stage Drama Club's murder mystery "While the Lights Went Out" this weekend at the Historic Ironwood Theatre was, of course, 'whodunnit'?

But another important question to ask might have been: "Who turned the lights on in the first place?"

Dennis Aspinwall, or DI as his friends call him, is a senior at Bessemer High School who is focused on pursuing a career in the technical aspects of theater and live music.

The often overlooked role is crucial in bringing local productions to life, though it doesn't come with the glitz and glamour of a leading role onstage ‚- in fact, very few people will ever see Aspinwall as he scurries through the innards of the theater between backstage and the soundboard .

But that's just the way he likes it.

"I'm more comfortable behind the scenes definitely," he said. "I've always liked technology and I love music, so it's something I love doing. For a production like this, it's great to be able to help in my own way."

Aspinwall's duties mostly include programming sound and light cues prior to the show. Once the curtain parts, he sits back stage with a script and a headset calling out orders to his support crew to punch the buttons and make the thunder roll or the lights go out.

Though he doesn't have to deal with stage fright, calling the shots comes with its own stress. To move through the show seamlessly, the cues Aspinwall has created must be right on time.

"That's the one thing is if I get something wrong it's going to throw all (the support staff) off, it's going to through the actors off all at once and that could stop the show," he said. "But, knock on wood, nothing's happened yet."

Aspinwall got started in production more than four years ago when his piano teacher asked him to sit in on the Historic Theatre's "H.I.T. Idol," and he has been running productions ever since. In his spare time, the self-proclaimed technology buff does work as a disc jockey and sound engineer for local concerts.

Though he hasn't decided what his next move will be after graduating high school, Aspinwall hopes to someday make a career out of his hobby.

"It's definitely not something that's easy to break into," he said. "But eventually, it's my passion, and it's something I would love to do as a career."

Mary Hansen, a school psychologist for the intermediate district and director of the Awkward Stage productions, said Aspinwall is a great example of the talented local young people who come out of the woodwork to make the shows possible.

Hansen praised Aspinwall's knowledge and attitude.

"But bless his heart, he's sharing his talents with some of the other kids in this program, and hopefully passing on that love and skill for it so we can have sustainability."

And Aspinwall isn't the only one. From props to costumes to marketing, without volunteers the drama club would never be able to provide performance experiences for students or quality entertainment for the community.

"This group never ceases to surprise me," Hansen said. "This is the second production we've done and with that many kids and as many other activities as they do, Friday night was the first time I had a full cast since Tuesday night and they pulled it right off.

"And I don't worry anymore, because they know just what to do."