A “super” in the opera

Typically, the work I do for Utah Opera is completely behind the scenes – it’s my job to help fill the seats with people at Capitol Theatre, and I leave the stage work to the professionals. Carmen ended up being a completely difference experience for me though when Michelle Peterson, our Company Manager, asked if I’d be a super in Carmen. For those not familiar with the term, “super” pretty much means “extra” – someone who volunteers to walk around on the stage and act, usually carrying a spear or piece of furniture. Supers also don’t sing (although it’s hard not to hum along to the music in Carmen).

This wasn’t the first time she’d asked if I’d volunteer to do this. I was close to being in The Marriage of Figaro last March, but it was in the middle of our season subscription renewals (not to mention my birthday) and just bad timing. I wanted to do Don Pasquale in May (the cowboy costumes were pretty cool), but the director ended up just using the chorus and not needing many supers. When Michelle asked if I’d be in Carmen, it seemed like a great opera for me to make my debut on the Capitol Theatre stage. Not only is it the first opera I ever saw (my parents sat me down in front of the TV when I was seven or eight and had me watch the film version with Julia Migenes), but it is also one of the few operas out there where I already recognize the music and story. Because of that, being in it would be an opportunity to experience an opera I was already somewhat familiar with in a completely different way.

Never having done any real acting or stage work (unless you count Alki Middle School’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream), I was amazed at how quickly the opera came together once the cast arrived. Everyone seemed to show up all ready to go. Just before Christmas, Michelle emailed out the rehearsal schedule. I wasn’t expecting much of a time commitment (there’s a reason why supers are often simply referred to as “spear carriers”), but I’ve ended up spending a good 15 to 20 hours at rehearsals for my 2 minutes of stage time. The 20 hours is nothing though compared with what some of the supers have to do. Since I decided only to be in the parade (I’m one of the matadors), I only had to be at rehearsals for Act 4. The supers who are soldiers also had to be had a lot more rehearsals than me.

One of the most interesting parts of being a super is getting a costume. The costumes made by our costume shop are beautiful. I went to a costume fitting a week or so before the dress rehearsal and was given my first lesson on how to put on tights (apparently, matadors wear pink tights!). I also got a blue bull fighter costume. After the first dress rehearsal, the costume shop decided that my costume wasn’t flashy enough, so I came back and was refitted into a new costume that is really cool. Not only am I the only bullfighter with tassels on my pants (my wife’s favorite part of the costume), but the detail on the cape and jacket is amazing. I think it looks pretty cool, even if it isn’t something I’d wear out every day.

Working with the cast and directors has also been great. Many of the supers in this particular opera are fathers of the kids in the chorus. A lot of others are sons, husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and friends of USUO employees or Utah Opera chorus members. Most of us are in an opera for the first time - some others have been being supers in operas for decades. It’s an entertaining group – which is good because we spend a lot of time in the basement waiting for our turn on the stage.

I was worried that I’d be nervous when we finally went out on opening night, but rather than having anxiety, I’ve been having a lot of fun on the stage. Luckily, I don’t have to do much more than walk down the stairs and wave to the mayor. But still, it’s fun to be part of this talented group of people. Everyone seems to love what they’re doing, and I’ve gained a much greater appreciation for an art form that I wasn’t extremely familiar with before I started working for the company. Being a super is a lot of work for very little glory, but it’s definitely an experience I’m glad I’ve had.

Here are some photos of how supers were used in Carmen:

Most of the soldiers in Carmen were supers. These are the guys who put in the really long hours at rehearsals.

The Mayor and his wife were volunteer supers.

The Act 4 parade in Carmen used a lot of supers.

Some of the supers were Banderilleros.

And others were Picadors.

And here are the Matadors. I'm the one in the maroon costume.