As a high school student Glen Simms took part in a workshop that left a big impression on him.
Sheldon Parsons was a visiting artist at the then Herdman Collegiate, who shared his work in mask making, props and special effects.
“I was very taken with that,” said Simms of what he recalls of the presentation.
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It’s not the sole reason the student went on to become a teacher.
“But it was a very memorable encounter.” One, he said that inspired him to do some of his own work in mask and prop making.
“It did always kind of stay with me for sure.”
Simms has been teaching at his old high school, now known as Corner Brook Regional High, for 17 years and has done things with mask making with his own students.
Along the way he’s continued to follow Parsons’s work.
“He’s just such an interesting fellow, the type of work he does.”
Recently the two have been working together to create some of the props for the Graham Academy’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Simms volunteered to help out with the production and said the chance to work with Parsons was certainly a draw.
“He’s very good at taking just very practical materials, inexpensive materials and really making them, kind of bringing them to life, using the most unconventional materials at times to bring something to life.”
All the while sticking to a limited budget for props.
“But still you can do an awful lot with little and make it look professional,” said Simms.
Along with some help from some other volunteers the two have been bringing the giant monster plant known as Audrey to life.
A lot of cardboard and glue sticks, some everyday things made of Styrofoam that they could cut up and leaves from potted plants have gone into the creation.
Being a true teacher Simms has involved his students in the puppet’s creation by bringing the massive structure to the school for texturing and painting.
“It’s certainly been very cool to see something almost kind of come to life,” he said.
“It’s going to be a real character in the play,” he said of the plant that will be operated by two puppeteers.
“It’s a prop and it’s a special effect, but it’s also got to be something that a performer performs with and sings and dances with.”
Parsons has been enjoying working with Simms, who he considers pretty talented.
He remembers the mask making workshop from so many years ago and is touched to know it had an impact on Simms.
“You never know who you’re going to impact over the years,” he said.
“And to me that was one of those stories you never really hear as to who have you inspired over the years.”
To meet someone who he has means a lot to him.
“A room full of kids, there was that one kid that connected and realized ‘wow that’s how that’s done.’”
There are not many prop makers around this area and Parsons said there are many out there that are protective over their techniques. But sharing his knowledge and skills is important for him.
“It’s my way of making it accessible to those around me,” he said.
“I’ve always had that belief of you try to be the person that you needed at that age.”
So, when someone approaches him for help, “I’m definitely there,” he said.
His use of unconventional materials that Simms spoke of goes back to his own childhood.
Parsons grew up in Norris Point and when he and his brothers wanted a Star Wars space station there was nowhere to buy one.
“We picked up scrap cardboard and built one.”
His interest in making things continued through his involvement in theatre while in university and now with community theatre.
When it comes to sourcing props there’s always that one thing that doesn’t exist and has to be made.
He said the “Little Shop of Horrors” build has been a collaborative effort with Simms and his students and other team members.
Working in that team environment, he said, has been a great experience for him.
“Little Shop of Horrors” opens its three-night run at the Rotary Arts Centre tonight.
