A MAGICAL COLLABORATION FOR SPOKANE AUDIENCES
Some productions ask for more than performance. They ask for world-building. That is exactly what made this collaboration with The Oaks Classical Christian Academy so exciting for our team at Spokane Productions. The Oaks’ presentation of Mary Poppins was never intended to feel like an ordinary school play. From the beginning, the goal was a polished, high-caliber musical experience that could fully draw an audience into the story, and that meant the technical side had to support the talent onstage in a way that felt seamless, convincing, and alive.
For weeks, staff from Spokane Productions worked behind the scenes to help shape that experience. Our role centered on set building, design modifications, and the practical effects that give a production its sense of reality. More than making pieces that looked good from a distance, we focused on believability. We wanted the world of 1910 London to feel grounded enough that, when the magic happened, the audience would go with it without hesitation. That balance matters. If the environment feels real, the wonder feels real too.
This production took the stage at the Myrtle Woldson Theater on the Gonzaga University campus, a venue that gave the show the scale and professionalism it deserved. Three highly successful performances were held on May 22-23, 2026.
BRINGING BROADWAY STANDARDS TO THE LOCAL STAGE
The Oaks Classical Christian Academy has built a strong reputation for excellence in the performing arts, and this production reflects that standard. Under the direction of Mr. Tobin Eyestone, the cast has been pushed toward a near-Broadway level of performance, with demanding choreography, memorable musical numbers, and the kind of commitment that elevates a stage production from entertaining to immersive. Spokane Productions came in to help ensure the physical world around that cast could meet the same level of expectation.
Our work began with the practical challenge of translating ambitious designs into something that could hold up visually and function reliably under live performance conditions. We modified design elements to create stronger stage presence, built large structural pieces that feel effortless to the audience, and paid close attention to the details that make a set look as believable as well as decorative. For a cast of 70 performers, the environment has to do more than sit in the background. It has to support movement, scale, timing, and atmosphere all at once.
That is where the craft matters. Every rooftop, chimney, and scenic element was approached with the understanding that audiences respond to what feels true. In live theater, believability is what allows a room full of people to accept a street, a home, or a skyline as real for the next two and a half hours. That is the standard we brought to this production, and it is the same mindset we bring to every project we take on.
ENGINEERING THE IMPOSSIBLE: PRACTICAL STAGE EFFECTS
The magic of Mary Poppins depends on moments that should feel impossible, but onstage, impossible moments only work when the engineering behind them is dependable. That is where practical effects become essential. Our team did not just help build scenery. We helped create the mechanics that allow the audience to believe, even for a moment, that they have seen something extraordinary.
One of the most iconic effects in the show is, of course, the flying rig. Mary Poppins has to take flight in a way that feels graceful and safe, and Burt also has his own moments in the air. The Oaks had never done a “flying” scene, so with the persistence and creativity of Mr. Eyestone, Mary Poppins and Burt will fly! Those scenes require careful planning, dependable rigging, and a technical approach that never distracts from the illusion. The audience should not be thinking about cables, timing, or load paths. They should simply see the character rise and believe the moment.
That same attention to believability shaped the other effects as well. Other volunteers developed the collapsing table for the kitchen scene so it could break at exactly the right moment and then return to form as if by magic, performance after performance. The crew integrated real steam effects to add texture and atmosphere when a pipe “bursts” on-stage. We also supported illusion-driven moments like the endless portmanteau, helping the production deliver those classic surprises with confidence and consistency. These are the details audiences may never fully notice in isolation, but together they create the feeling that the world onstage is operating by its own magical logic.
Another aspect raising “believability” to the audience is the spectacular attention to detail the costumers played in dressing every character “spot on”. From period clothes that suit a banker in 1910, to the whimsical chimney sweeps dancing across rooftops, the costumers have done their part to bring authenticity and whimsy to the production.
The sink fixture above had a special ability to release “steam” from the faucet (CO2) to mimic a faulty boiler in the house. It worked great! The cabinet was too shallow for a real fixture so we built a custom sink out of wood.
A WORLD-CLASS ORCHESTRA AND CAST
What makes this production especially compelling is that the technical ambition is matched by the talent onstage and in the pit. The cast has taken on beloved musical numbers like “Jolly Holiday” and “Step in Time” with energy and precision, while the music, under the direction of Ms. Amy Kim, gives the entire evening its emotional lift. The orchestra includes world-class musicians, including instructors from The Oaks with international acclaim, performing alongside talented students and professionals.
That combination brings unusual depth to the sound of the show. Audiences heard Poppins classics like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and “A Spoonful of Sugar” delivered with the richness these songs deserve. In the Myrtle Woldson Theater, that kind of musical performance has room to breathe, and it adds another layer to the sense that this is much more than a routine local production.
The visual side of the performance deserves just as much attention. This production featured custom-designed costumes that are perfectly period-accurate and absolutely spot on, adding another level of polish to the stage. Along with the set work, practical effects, and musical performance, these costumes helped complete the illusion of the world onstage and gave the entire show a professional feel that audiences noticed immediately.
THE VENUE: MYRTLE WOLDSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Myrtle Woldson Theater is a major part of why this production felt so special for Spokane audiences. Located on the Gonzaga University campus, it offers the kind of professional setting that supports ambitious live theater. The acoustics are designed for orchestral performance, the sightlines are strong throughout the house, and the space allows the scale of the set, cast, and effects to land the way they are intended to.
For families and theatergoers looking for a memorable night out, this was an ideal setting. The production ran approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and offered the rare combination of family appeal, strong performances, and large-scale stagecraft in one event.
BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS
Some images of the build process are shown here.
Rooftop Skyline set before paint:
Rooftop Skyline set finished
Closeups of the rooftop movable sets
The “first floor of the living room set during construction
The centerpiece of the show was the big set, also known as the “living room” which was over 16 ft tall (4.9 meters) and could be rotated to show the kitchen or the living room depending on the scene. The stairway was completely functional, as was the living room door, which we built from scratch.
It was a great privilege to work with the Oaks Academy on this set construction project!
WHY SPOKANE PRODUCTIONS SUPPORTS THE ARTS
We are more than just a studio rental facility – we are a full-service creative agency.
Our expertise ranges from audio recording to complex set implementations. We love helping our community bring big ideas to life. Working with The Oaks allowed us to showcase our technical skills. We enjoyed solving the unique challenges of building for live theater. Our team understands how to make an impact.
Whether you are a film producer or a school theater director, we can help. We offer video production, audio recording, and post-production services. Our knowledge of practical effects and set building is extensive and we are proud to see our work on the stage at Gonzaga.
CONTACT US FOR YOUR NEXT CREATIVE PROJECT
Do you have a project that needs a professional touch? Spokane Productions is ready to assist. We handle everything from studio rentals to complete production management.
Need a set built for a commercial? Need a professional audio recording for an audiobook? We are the problem solvers you’re looking for. We prioritize your final result. Our services are versatile and scalable. Contact us today to discuss your vision.
We look forward to working with you!
Contact us here to schedule a phone call or studio tour.