Behind the Scenes: Bringing Sherwood Forest to Life at the Rose Center Theater

Under the soft glow of work lights and the echo of laughter through the house, the magic of Robin Hood and the White Arrow: the Holiday Feast of Stephen begins to take shape. Weeks before the first audience arrives, the Rose Center Theater hums with rhythm, energy, and collaboration—a quiet alchemy that turns a blank stage into Sherwood Forest.

Inside the rehearsal theater, cast members circle the piano as music director Tim Nelson plays. The harmonies fill the room—warm, hopeful, and strong. Around him, performers lean in, scripts in hand, their voices rising in unison. It’s a familiar ritual at the Rose: the moment when notes on paper begin to breathe. Rehearsals for Robin Hood and the White Arrow are equal parts discipline and discovery. There’s laughter between takes, sword fights in slow motion, and a sense of shared wonder as each scene unfolds. “You can feel the story growing every night,” says one cast member. “We’re building not just a show, but a community.”

The Making of Sherwood

Director Tim Nelson, along with choreographers Diane Makas and Jennifer Matthews, guides the cast through scenes of swordplay, dance, and song. In one corner, a group of Merry Men rehearse their combat choreography—wooden staffs crossing under stage light, each movement timed to precision and purpose. The swish of the poles and the shuffle of boots on stage floor create their own percussive music.

“We approach every rehearsal like a story in motion,” Nelson explains. “Each laugh, each sword clash, each lyric is a piece of Sherwood coming to life.”

Nearby, Brennan Eckberg as Robin Hood and Catherine Dosier and Shay Addison as Maid Marian exchange dialogue during a tender scene. The chemistry between them is immediate—part rehearsed, part instinct. Even without costumes or lights, you can see the story’s heart unfolding in real time. Across the stage, Chris Caputo’s Prince John rehearses a moment of royal mischief, while Edward Bangasser, as the Sheriff of Nottingham, works his lines with measured authority. Both actors bring decades of stage experience to the room, balancing gravitas with playfulness. “There’s always a touch of humor in our villains,” Nelson says with a grin. “It’s what makes them irresistible.”

Building a Family Cast

In another rehearsal space, the show’s gypsies and townspeople rehearse, their choreography elegant and flowing. Under Diane Makas’ direction, dancers move across the floor with grace, lifting arms in rhythm as a flute line threads through the accompaniment. The atmosphere is lighthearted yet exacting—precision wrapped in joy. “The dance sequences are like storytelling in motion,” Makas shares. “Each movement connects the people of Nottingham to the heartbeat of the holidays.”

Among the cast are seasoned Rose veterans and first-time performers. Families rehearse together—parents, children, and even married couples—each adding their own story to the tapestry. During one music run, Erik and Erica Duane share a laugh between cues, while Edward, Laura, and Allan Bangasser rehearse their lines side by side, a real-life family playing together on stage. “It’s rare to find a company this large where everyone feels like they belong,” says Kristin Caputo, who plays Gert. “Every rehearsal feels like coming home.”

Moments in Motion

The photos capture it best: actors mid-stride with swords raised, laughter spilling between takes, the creative team leaning over piano keys. Some images are still, almost reverent—a glimpse of concentration before the music begins. Others pulse with energy: Nate Andreas, a young Merry Man and “Song of the People” soloist, holding his script high; the cast of townsfolk standing shoulder to shoulder as their harmonies echo through the empty house; a flash of crossed blades between Ben Tietz’s Will Scarlet and Nathan Willingham's Allan-A-Dale, each step guided by rhythm and trust. In black and white, these moments feel timeless—proof that the real magic of theater happens not under the spotlight, but in the work that leads to it.

The Sound of a Legend

Music is the lifeblood of Robin Hood and the White Arrow. Under Nelson’s leadership, melodies shift from folk ballads to rousing ensemble numbers, blending traditional musical theater tones with Celtic and Renaissance influences. During vocal rehearsals, cast members lean over their scores, blending harmonies until the sound fills the theater with warmth. “The music carries the message of the show,” Nelson says. “It’s about generosity, community, and hope—the same values that keep live theater thriving.”

The Holiday Spirit of Sherwood

Beyond the forest battles and ballads, Robin Hood and the White Arrow is ultimately a story of giving. That spirit extends far beyond the stage. This December, audiences will also be invited to the Feast Day Gala & Fundraiser on Saturday, December 6, 2025, a one-night celebration inspired by the very world the cast is creating. The evening will feature a holiday dinner, festive desserts, a champagne toast, and a full performance of the show, with proceeds supporting the Rose Center Theater’s mission to make the performing arts accessible for all. “The Gala embodies what this production stands for,” Nelson says. “Community, joy, and the idea that when people come together—whether on stage or in the audience—something beautiful happens.”

From Rehearsal to Reality

As the company continues to polish fight sequences, vocal runs, and scene transitions, anticipation builds. Every rehearsal brings them closer to opening night, when the house lights will dim and the audience will step, for a few hours, into Sherwood Forest. Between laughter and focus, practice and play, the company of Robin Hood and the White Arrow reminds us that theater is built on something deeper than spectacle. It’s built on people—on artists who give their time, energy, and hearts to tell a story that unites us all. And as the final chords of “The Song of the People” echo through the empty house, one truth remains clear: Sherwood lives not just in legend, but in every person who steps forward to bring it to life.

🎟 Performances run November 21–23, December 5–7, and December 19–21, 2025, at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster, California.

Book your Tickets Today

Keywords: Rose Center Theater, Holiday Feast Day Gala, Feast of Stephen Gala, Robin Hood musical, Orange County holiday events, Westminster CA theater, live theater fundraiser, Christmas gala dinner Orange County, performing arts fundraiser, holiday dining and theater event, Rose Center Theater, Robin Hood musical, behind the scenes, Orange County theater, Westminster CA performing arts, holiday musical 2025, Robin Hood and the White Arrow, live theater Orange County, rehearsal photos, Feast Day Gala