Behind the Scenes of ‘Borderline’

By Elena Makansi, Marketing, Communications and Strategic Outreach

This Spring Semester saw the world premiere of “Borderline” at the Pima Community College Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre. But behind the curtain was a prime example of Pima’s culture of collaboration, ethos of support, and dedication to excellence.

Audiences experienced an unforgettable and moving show as they stepped into a haunting, beautiful border landscape where ghost stories are more than just stories.

But the show wouldn’t have carried the same magic without the last-minute efforts of two assistant stage managers — Digital Arts students who transformed the production with their artistry.

Just days before opening night, guest director Julian Cardenas received backdrop illustrations commissioned for the production but realized they would not be ready by opening night. The backdrops were to represent a series of folklore stories woven into the play.

Production managers had to make a decision: Do we come up with something new in less than a week or put on the show without a crucial component of the set?

Enter Mika and Bridget, the show’s Assistant Stage Managers and, as luck would have it, Digital Arts students specializing in illustration and animation.

A Week of Chaos and Creativity

“Oh, no!” Mika said laughing as he recalled his reaction to learning that the original artwork wouldn’t be used. But panic quickly turned to determination.

The two divided the labor by passion. “Borderline,”a play intertwining Mexican folklore, borderland myths and survival stories, required visuals that honored its cultural roots. Julian provided a mood board filled with references to Mexican art and magical realism.

Mika, inspired by Talavera pottery, designed a clay dragon with vibrant blues and intricate patterns, mirroring the designs on a character’s skirt.

“The projections weren’t about my artistic voice,” Mika emphasized. “They were about the people we were paying homage to. I hope everyone who watched Borderline takes the message of it to heart, and continues to seek out art and stories told by people of color.”

Bridget, meanwhile, drew from Aztec stone carvings for a priestess’s tale, using Adobe Photoshop and Procreate to transform her daytime photos of Sabino Canyon into eerie nighttime backdrops.

“I referenced Frida Kahlo and Julian’s aesthetic notes,” she said. “It was about capturing the play’s soul.”

Juggling Duties and Deadlines

The timeline was brutal.

“Bridget and I volunteered to do what was essentially three months of work in six days,” Mika said.

Plus, both were already balancing Assistant Stage Manager duties—helping actors and managing props — and homework.

“We worked constantly,” Bridget said.

The final push came at 8 a.m. on the day of the first school matinee, when they programmed cues with stage manager Gracie and technical director Luann Reeds. Mika, experienced in projection technology, handled the software while Bridget finished the last illustrations.

“Bridget is an incredible artist,” Mika said. “I wouldn’t have survived without her.”

A Triumphant Debut

The result was not only impressive, but also fitting to the cultural themes and folklore traditions of the play. Though Mika never saw the final projections live (“I was always backstage!”), Bridget caught glimpses during rehearsals.

“Hearing the audience laugh at the right moments, it was amazing,” she said.

“Their work elevated the play — the hand-drawn animations added depth and energy as well as additional context and, at times, humor,” said Maryann Green, Production Manager for the Theater Department.

“‘Borderline’ tackles tough subjects with a lot of mysticism and realism,” lead actor Crystal Salinas said. “It reels you in at the right moments with that magic, and then kind of stabs your heart with that realism.”

Beyond the Stage

The collaboration might not end with the curtain call. Bridget hopes to adapt the animations into short films, with cast members narrating the stories.

“It’d be a way to extend the play’s life,” she said.

For Mika, the project affirmed his love for merging theater and art.

“They’re my two languages,” he said. “Theatre needs visual artists, and when the art comes from passion, it’s always worth it.”

A Testament to Pima’s Arts Program

While the ‘Borderline’ debut was a fantastic contribution to Pima’s Theater Arts repertoire, its behind-the-scenes tale is just as compelling: Two artists turn a crisis into a triumph, using their skills, teamwork and round-the-clock efforts to create something truly magical.

Mika praised instructors Michael Nolan and Maryann Green, as well as Arts Division Dean Dana Roes, for their support and encouragement.

Both students credit Pima’s Digital Arts program for their readiness.

“Without my classes, I couldn’t have done this,” Bridget said.

“The program teaches you to adapt — no two projects are alike in this industry,” Mika said. “I would not be the person I am today without Pima College. It may sound dramatic, but I am in the drama department!”