Lynn Ludwig-Franitza, who recently designed props for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and SPIDER’S WEB and is currently working on DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID, now in the Sunset Spotlight.
- When did you first become involved at Sunset Playhouse and what areas have you been involved with here at the Playhouse?
I started working at Sunset in January of 2019 as a part of the backstage crew after 14 years of working with a high school theater program. Partway through that first year at Sunset I started doing props. I have also done some set building and strikes when I had free time.
- If you are working on a Sunset show right now, what is your role?
I just finished propping Young Frankenstein and Spider’s Web. I am currently designing props for The Little Mermaid.
- If an actor, what has been your favorite role to date and what is your dream role? If a Production Team member, which show have you most enjoyed working on? What show would you like to do in the future?
I have enjoyed almost every show I have worked on at Sunset. Each one has very different needs and requires different skills. Moving set pieces, helping with quick changes, creating and operating special effects, and being the occasional dead body are just some of the things that I have had the pleasure of doing during the run of the shows. Creating the props is also fun because I get to do a little bit of everything: build, sew, shop, and do general craft work. This position is never the same from show to show, which is one thing I really love about it!
My dream show to work on would probably be The Lion King, but I don’t think I am ready for that one yet. Otherwise, anything that requires me to do something I haven’t had the chance to do yet would be fun for me. I like to be challenged.
- What do you enjoy most about the Sunset?
The first day I walked into the backstage area, I felt appreciated and fully at home. The staff, actors, production team members, and other crew personnel have been wonderful. Everyone goes out of their way to be nice and supportive. The competitiveness that I have seen in other places does not happen at Sunset.
- When not at Sunset, how do you spend your time?
During the day I am a special education transition coordinator. I basically help students with IEPs, ages 14 through 21, to figure out what comes next in their lives. I just finished my 24th year in education and look forward to retiring after 6 more years.
When I am not at school or at Sunset, I like to bake, sew, work out, garden, and shop. I have also been a part of a middle eastern dance troupe for the past 17 years, and we perform all over the Milwaukee area.
- What is your favorite color/food/movie/TV show/book/musical or play?
I don’t have a favorite color, although I do gravitate to jewel tones and pastels. My favorite foods are Jerk chicken and fruit. I don’t really watch movies because I can’t sit in one place and stay awake that long. My favorite TV show is SVU. My favorite book is The Little Prince. Favorite musicals are Kinky Boots and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and I don’t really have a favorite play.
- What is your favorite quote?
Typical prop person quote: If it isn’t yours, don’t touch it!
Headshot thanks to Abbie Miller and Stories Framed Photography