Exit Stage Left

From 1985 – 1987 I worked as the Wardrobe Supervisor at GeVa Theater. After I left that position, I often returned to work freelance for specific shows. During that time, I took candid photos in the green room, dressing rooms, and backstage for myself. I processed and printed the images for actors, stagehands, and other friends. I was sometimes asked to take costume shots by designers which was great fun for me as I love interacting with performers. These photographs are my view of the environment I so love. A glimpse into working backstage. The comradery, humor, and boredom were all generated from the sometimes tight confines of behind-the-scenes.

I shot with available light without flash in the basement and backstage in low light conditions. A Flash would intrude on these moments of informality. These were candid images of friends and colleagues and the general atmosphere that shot for myself, with no formal photography show in mind at the time they were taken.

Photographer's Bio: Martha Schermerhorn is a visual artist living and working in Rochester, NY. She has shown her artwork locally and nationally for over 25 years. She has worked in professional theater for over 30 years, including GeVa theater where she was the Wardrobe Supervisor for 3 years in the mid-1980s.