Theatrical Mischief: Behind the Curtain Pranks in Professional Theater

In the world of professional theater, where Susan Marie Rhea, Kevin Del Aguila, and Chani Wereley tread the boards, a unique brand of mischief thrives behind the scenes. These theatrical pranksters demonstrate that even in the serious business of entertainment, there's room for playful antics.

Susan Marie Rhea, artistic director of Washington's Keegan Theatre, experienced a prank that blurred the line between art and reality. In 2013, after a production of "The Woman in Black," Rhea encountered a costumed mannequin in her shower, placed there by mischievous colleagues. She recalls:

"It is impossible to overstate how terrified I was. I screamed bloody murder and stumbled back four or five steps. I told them later, 'You could have killed me,' because I fell down in my bathroom and screamed like a 5-year-old."

This incident exemplifies the creative and sometimes startling nature of theatrical pranks.

On Broadway, where performers may repeat the same show eight times a week for months or years, pranks serve to break monotony and maintain freshness. Kevin Del Aguila, Tony-nominated for his role in "Some Like It Hot," elevated the art of the prank to new heights. During his offstage moments, Del Aguila would attempt to make his co-star Christian Borle laugh by presenting increasingly elaborate sight gags. These ranged from simple smiles to complex setups involving props and costumes.

At Arlington's Signature Theatre, Chani Wereley orchestrated a long-running prank involving rubber ducks. Learning of stage manager Kerry Epstein's fondness for the toys, Wereley purchased 300 rubber ducks and enlisted help to hide them throughout the theater. The prank's legacy continues, with ducks still being discovered nearly two years later.

Music directors aren't immune to the allure of theatrical mischief. Christopher Youstra, of Olney Theatre Center, admits to his own pranks. During a 2007 production of "Titanic" at Toby's Dinner Theatre, Youstra added unexpected underscoring to a banquet scene, including "My Heart Will Go On" and "Under the Sea," amusing the audience and challenging the actors' composure.

These pranks, while seemingly frivolous, serve important functions in the theater community. They foster camaraderie, alleviate the stress of repetitive performances, and keep actors on their toes. As Del Aguila notes, "Those little bits and moments just keep people on their toes and keep the show fresh."

The tradition of theatrical pranks has a rich history, much like theater itself. The oldest surviving play, "The Persians" by Aeschylus, was written in 472 BCE, long before the advent of rubber ducks and shower mannequins. The first theater in America was built in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1716, setting the stage for centuries of performances and pranks to come.

While these backstage antics might seem at odds with the serious nature of theater, they reflect the creative spirit that drives the art form. From ancient Greek theaters built on hillsides for better acoustics to the ghost light left burning in empty theaters, theatrical traditions often blend practicality with a touch of whimsy.

As theaters prepare for upcoming productions, including Keegan Theatre's "Noises Off" running through September 8, 2024, audiences can appreciate not only the polished performances on stage but also the spirited camaraderie that exists behind the curtain. After all, in a world where "break a leg" is a wish for good luck, a little backstage mischief is par for the course.