Community
6 November, 2024
Volunteers the backbone of Mount Isa Theatrical Society
While the focus is usually on the performers, there are many others who make the MITS productions a success.
While the actors take centre stage at the Mount Isa Theatrical Society (MITS), there is a thankless task in the background that the night would not be complete without.
Tucked away behind the bar at the side of the theatre building is a small industrial kitchen that is staffed by volunteer cooks, amateur waiters and roped in dishwashers who ensure a two-course meal can be included in the MITS ticket price.
The kitchen manager position changes with every production and for the run of Little Women, which concludes at MITS on Saturday night, the task fell on the capable shoulders of Alicia Reay.
It was the first time Alicia had taken the reins of kitchen duties at MITS having previously acted in multiple stage shows since she returned to Mount Isa last year following a seven-year jaunt in Rockhampton.
When North West Weekly arrived at the theatre to meet with Alicia, she was focused on the night ahead and struggled to recall her past stage performances.
“Do you remember what I did in the last play?” she calls out to someone before turning back to this reporter.
“I’m not sure but I am pretty sure someone killed me.”
With its cosy atmosphere, the floor before the stage is laid with small wooden tables and red tablecloths prior to the performance.
It is here the audience is treated to Alicia’s selected meal choice for the evening.
She explains that she chose cottage pie with salad and a toasted bread roll for very pragmatic reasons – it can be gluten free, lactose free, dairy free and nut free – and it can be pre-prepared in the hours prior to the actors taking the stage.
For dessert, she selected chocolate cake and custard.
“I knew it was all something I could prepare in bulk, and it is something most people would enjoy,” she said.
The volunteer position is a reasonable time commitment – Alicia said she arrived at the theatre at least six hours prior to the performance to prepare the trays, plates and bowls for more than 30 people – she drags her teenage son, James, along to help with the washing up.
Alicia said while operating the kitchen had been a “strangely fulfilling” role, she missed the stage lights and hoped to appear as an actress in the next production.
“Getting to feed everyone and watching the plates come back empty is fulfilling – knowing my food was good enough to clear the plate – we never get any complaints about the food we serve,” she said.
“At the end of the show the kitchen and bar staff and lights are all thanked by the cast – so while we aren’t on the stage, we still feel part of the show.
“But I am looking forward to taking a break from cooking – I am not even cooking at home at the moment – it’s frozen pizza and pies for everyone.”
The final performances of Little Women will be on Friday and Saturday night.