Lessons from Backstage, Onstage, and in the House of Mrs. Doubtfire
Blog By: Graham Sundstrom
On October 30th, 2026, I was given many incredible opportunities and, as a result, walked out of the theatre wiser than when I entered.
The first of these opportunities was my production shift. Shadowing production was like a tour of DPAC’s backstage… but in the 90 minutes before showtime. Backstage, I saw the murals worth of tags and signatures decorating the walls. I first went backstage left (from the view of someone looking out into the house), where stacks of hardware were running the sound. As a music nerd, I had in-depth conversations with Brian, the production manager pictured above, whom I was shadowing, about how they ran sound and what tools they used. The hallway behind the stage held security, a department that contained far fewer angry people wearing sunglasses than movies would have led me to expect. The people I met back there were very nice, and I was glad they were the ones making sure everyone was safe. A wall in the back hallway contained a section that was tagged differently than the others: it was a place for every member of IATSE (a union for stagehands and the like) to sign their names.
Stage right was where everything was happening. I was able to get the inside scoop on the pulley systems for anything that flies, the props, and the electrical side of things. Everybody was open to answering questions and was truly enthusiastic about sharing what they do. I concluded my tour by seeing the little room where all the sound is run through. Dozens of cables lined the working space of a really cool sound engineer. From this, I gained a true understanding and appreciation for the scale of the work that happens backstage. It’s easy to be blown away by what happens on stage, but it’s important to remember the people hidden from view who make it possible.
Once I sat down and the show began, I was blown away by the performance that was happening. The music, the acting, and the dancing were all thrilling. I won’t give spoilers for those who haven’t seen it, but the story was moving. The way the powers of love and family are depicted is surprisingly deep for a show as silly as Mrs. Doubtfire. These principles were the second thing I walked out of DPAC with: a new appreciation and respect for my family and the love I have in my life.
Starstruck by the performance, I was glad I didn’t have to worry about traffic while leaving DPAC. This was because I was invited to a cast talkback. Ultimately, two people came into the house: Mrs. Sellner’s actress and the music director. Interviewing them was incredible. They seemed like genuine friends, not just colleagues. The interview felt personal, real. I had two takeaways from the experience: 1) I was reminded that everybody has their own story, their own past, present, and future. 2) Everything is an opportunity to be yourself and enjoy life, no matter what is happening or where you are.
Mrs. Doutfire is silly and lighthearted, but it is more than just a comedy: it tells a story that every person can learn from.
