Submitted by Kathryn Adkins
It has been my honor and joy to interview one of the pillars of NextStage Productions, Terence Courreault. You may know him as the wonderful tenor soloist or the man behind the dials of the sound equipment or the John Lennon voice in the Beatles group or one of the three voices in the trio, Three of a Kind. The list goes on and on...
Terence has been a volunteer since the first days of NSP when it was still Stagebridge Santa Cruz. In 2013 he sang his first NSP gig, a fundraiser at Avanti Restaurant on the West Side. His first “show” was also that year. Not only did he perform, but he lugged his personal 60 lbs of sound equipment to each gig so everyone could hear. He has been the sound man ever since. Fortunately, NSP purchased sound equipment that is lighter and easier to transport. As Terence says, “I’m not getting any younger”. We’d never know, Terence. Completion of the 2022 Holiday show brings his performance count to 76 different shows. Add to that the repeat performances. Wow!!
I asked him a few questions as we look at his amazing work and what makes him stick with it.
What drew you to NSP?
Jim Dugger initially and then all of the people that I have met and worked with. Seeing the reactions of audience members and the joy we have brought to them has been so rewarding. This last holiday show with all of the rehearsals and work - “It’s all worth it”.
What have you appreciated the most about the NSP activities?
My voice developed with the frequency and opportunities through the solos, the Beatles group and now the trio. I have less fear and more comfort in front of the audience. The Reader’s Theater opened new dramatic avenues and brought my wife, Peggy to join me. Her performance blew me away and I saw her in a whole new light.
What have you discovered about yourself through working with NSP?
That I had the talents to help others in so many ways and brighten the lives of so many people I’ve gotten to know and those I’ve entertained.
Being a music director and working with people one on one has been so fulfilling. Michelle Diaz, who considers herself a dancer and not a singer worked on Santa Baby, her first solo, and she got it. Seeing her success has been my greatest accomplishment. I listened to the recording of her performance recently and it is so rewarding, not just for me but to everyone.
Working on the music has become a passion to me. I’ve recently learned how to use the music software, Audacity, to cut, paste and edit music tracks.
What would you tell someone who is curious and/or thinking about joining NSP?
I have shared Nextstagesantacruz.org with so many. To anyone who has been an entertainer or has a desire to learn, this is the best organization and the best organized organization offering so many diverse opportunities for someone at any level of accomplishment. You are bound to find something that suits your desires, plural; there’s no need to stop at one talent.
Final thoughts. My desire is to put out the best of our capabilities. After a performance of the holiday show, Kris Wheeler, director for SC Follies responded, “This is the best show that we’ve ever seen at La Posada.”
Terence, I think we can all say a big “Thank you.” Your giving spirit, warmth, care and desire for personal growth is the embodiment of the NextStage Productions mission. We look forward to seeing more of you in 2023.
