Behind scenes, show plays up students' talent

The posters and sets were progressive works done by local students.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mike Hinge, director of the Oakland's production of "Death of a Salesman" and an English teacher at Choffin Career Center, has brought together both groups for their mutual benefit.
Hinge got Choffin students to build sets and props and create posters for the play.
"There isn't much room to work at the Oakland," said Hinge. "I see resources and skills at Choffin that relate to the arts and theater. They do so much of what we need at the Oakland, such as printing, building, commercial art. The kids understand that what they're doing can be used in the arts, which gives them an artistic outlet, but also opens possibilities for job opportunities."
Hinge said he's gotten the kids involved with other plays, but never to this extent.
Creating the posters
Romaine Ruffley is Choffin's commercial arts teacher, and her students created poster designs. "It is wonderful to have a live project," said Ruffley. "It gives so much validity to what the students are doing. Some of them had never read the play, so they learned that it was important to find out what the play was about. If they were in a job situation, it would be up to them to find out everything they need to know."
The students each designed posters, then were critiqued by three teachers. They made suggested improvements and three were chosen. Tony Custodio's poster was reduced in size and made into a postcard. It is a silhouette of the main character, Willy, walking away. "He looks weary," said Custodio, a senior who wants to major in commercial art/graphics in college.
Jane'e Hilton's poster also was chosen. It depicts skid marks on a road. Branden Scott's poster shows Willy walking into the light.
"Commercial arts covers the actual design aspect," Ruffley said. "Graphic communications, taught by Kathy Duraney, covers the print/production end of it. All the posters are in black and white, in keeping with the style of the era of the play. These opportunities are wonderful for the students if they tie into the curriculum. If they don't tie into the curriculum, we don't do them. This project has been so wonderful. Mike went to all the different areas to promote it. And this also looks good on the students' r & eacute;sum & eacute;s."
Building it up
Mark Hinge teaches home and building maintenance, and one of his students, Justin McCree, helped build the flats and platforms. They were initially built at the school, then assembled at the Oakland. McCree said canvas would be put over some of the flats, then painted, to use as a backdrop. "There were lots of platforms that will be used for floors, stairs and beds," he said. McCree plans to attend ITT Technical Institute to study drafting and design.
Robert DeForr studies advanced carpentry with Kevin Finkele and said he was involved with building tables and the boards that would be used on stage. "The set is actually a stage on top of a stage, and it is set up like a house," DeForr said. He plans to join the Navy when he graduates.
The students were also involved with the Web site, www.oaklandcenter.com. Click on 2005-2006 Season, and scroll down to "Death of a Salesman."