Tag Archives: Seattle

Interview with Jolene Obertin

The following is one of several interviews conducted by students of Ron DeMarco’s properties class at Emerson College.

Jolene Obertin

by Michelle Slivinski

Jolene Obertin didn’t always see herself going into the profession of props. She originally attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in hopes of studying medicine, but she found herself unhappy dealing with such a high course load of science classes in order to fulfill her degree requirements. She often found herself walking through the Fine Arts building to and from different places on campus and grew to love the building and its creative atmosphere. She had previously been involved in theatre in her high school but took it as an elective again in college and loved it. Continue reading Interview with Jolene Obertin

Interview with Elizabeth “Fried” Friedrich

The following is one of several interviews conducted by students of Ron DeMarco’s properties class at Emerson College.

The Mind Behind The Magic

by Emily Cuerdon

Elizabeth “Fried” Friedrich
Elizabeth “Fried” Friedrich

Elizabeth “Fried” Friedrich is the props shop manager at Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT). She grew up in Amherst, NY, which is located just outside Buffalo, NY. She graduated from Buffalo State College with a BFA degree in furniture and design. When asked to describe her journey to the field of props, she said: “After graduating with my BFA I knew I didn’t want to dedicate my career to furniture design—it was too fussy. Rick Gilles (a SPAM member and then prop manager at Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo) took a chance and hired me as prop carp. Except for a short break about 10 years ago I’ve been in theatre ever since.” Continue reading Interview with Elizabeth “Fried” Friedrich