You can’t miss Director of Libraries Toni Vahlsing; she’s easily recognizable by her large displays in the library and her props that are presented on the stage in the AFS productions. When I walked into the back of Vahlsing’s office, I felt instantly greeted and welcomed into the warm atmosphere for the interview. When not a librarian, Vahlsing works in the operation of props of the AFS theater production to bring her emotions through her creations.
When did you first get involved with the theater and artistic programs?
I minored in theater in college, and I didn’t do it at my last school, but when I got here, I hid that I had theater skills because I needed to get the library together. Then I started doing scenic painting for April [Tvarok, the technical theatre director before Seth Schmitt-Hall,] because I knew how to do it.
She didn’t know scenic painting as well, so I painted lockers or made something look like something else…Then Seth came, and I kept helping with painting. He soon started looking at my displays and said, “You might be good at props.” I really, really enjoy it. It really is a lot of fun.
Did an initial passion or motion move you so that you wanted to pursue this hobby and career?
I was an actor first in high school and middle school, tiny little productions. I always got a pretty big role. Then, when I got to college my first year, I was cast as nothing. I decided to get a job backstage in college, and it changed my life. I learned a lot. Not only did I have a minor, but I was being paid to do the technical parts of theater.
Was there ever a difficult moment in prop making that you had to brave through? How did you get past those moments?
My first show with Seth was a big moment for me and the props kids; the kids who were supposed to be in charge of props weren’t very successful. We needed three big cardboard boats. Eventually, I ended up cutting out the sides. I was going to put them together then, but unfortunately, I had to go to a funeral.
I went to the funeral and came back. I was so emotional, I didn’t know what to do with myself, but I couldn’t go home; the library needed to be open, so I built the boats. That’s what I had to do with my emotions. So if you ever see a really big display, it’s because I’m having big emotions.
I discovered that it’s a really good outlet for me to make giant things. Mostly out of cardboard, because it’s a good medium for me. It’s also that my displays and props are both temporary art, which I like.
What’s your proudest moment that you reflect on?
I think creating Toto for The Wiz. I did that with two students. Oliver Peterson ‘25 helped me design the mechanics of it, mostly in consultation. A lot of it I had to do because I had more time.
Sophie Perkins ‘24 helped me sew up the fur, create the legs, and more. She knew how to repair it when it fell apart. And Toto was magical.
Is there anything else–such as advice–you would want to add?
I want to give credit for the [library] displays last year and this year, [which] were all done by my assistant, so I’m able to put my energy more into the shows rather than the displays every week. The gorgeous kangaroo and the portholes were painted by [Assistant Librarian] Julia Saint-Amour.
I’m glad they get to use their emotions that way. And I’d love it if any student could figure out what is the thing they need when they have a big emotion. And this is mine, it’s to create something.
