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August 01 You don’t want to miss this showFor anyone in the North Bay area, you don’t want to miss the “Theatre Out Reach On Stage” (TOROS) presentation of “Seussical”. This musical marvel is being presented at the Capitol Centre from August 8th through 12th and features 80 students who bring to life the beloved characters of Dr. Seuss in a vibrant performance of singing, dancing, and acting.
I had the great privilege of sitting in on a dress rehearsal last night and was BLOWN AWAY by the presentation. Many of the musical numbers had my feet a dancin and I had trouble keeping still in my seat. My greatest frustration in watching the performance was the realization that I can’t sing worth a damn and will never have the opportunity to perform in something like this. It looks like sooooooo much fun!
The costumes are wonderfully vibrant and colourful. The singing was incredible and this was despite the very talented cast of young people not being fully miced yet. In the rehearsal space it was tough to hear some of them over the phenomenal orchestra accompanying the group. And yet I was totally aware of some VERY powerful voices that will mesmerize you as they belt out some wonderful show tunes.
But it was a REHEARSAL. Yes, they still have lots of work to get the lights, sound and cues working to perfection, but based on what I saw last night they will make this as close to professional quality you will get in small town Northern Ontario.
AND IT IS INEXPENSIVE – Tickets are just $15 per person. You won’t get that kind of live entertainment value ANYWHERE else! If you are planning to attend I would suggest getting your tickets soon as TOROS shows have sold out in previous years.
I'm going to be ushering for all of the shows and am excited about being able to see this multiple times. July 12 I wonder what I've got myself into?I am the new President of the Gateway Theatre Guild. “Holy Drama Batman, how did that happen?” Well let me tell you……
I have made a career out of avoiding these types of commitments. It is not that I don’t have the talent or skills to do this type of work. I’ve lacked the motivation and drive to deal with the people in these organization. Heck there is time at work that all I want to to is tell people to go pound sand and walk away.
The theatre guild has some very good people in it, don’t take me wrong. But they are creative people and some of them are opinionated beyond reason, they have strong personalities that feel the need to be heard, or they have egos that can be a real pain in the butt. And I do not have the patience for this type of person. It is one of my character weaknesses.
I don’t handle politics or compromise well, which is why I never went into politics, despite being intrigued with it when I was younger.
But a few weeks ago an appeal went out from the past President of the Guild for members to step forward to fill some desperately need executive positions. There were three positions on the executive that needed to be filled in order for the guild to operate. After doing some soul searching I decide I would throw my name into the ring.
Why? I really like community theatre and want to see a strong community theatre organization. I came to the realization that I can not expect that unless I get off my lazy, apathetic butt and do something about it. Sitting on the sidelines and thinking about it, or recreationally complaining to others will never move an organization forward. In fact that is the way to guarantee the death of any organization.
AND I know I have the skills, talents and intelligence to make a difference and move this group to the next level in its long and illustrious history. My strengths are planning, facilitation, organizing and communications. In my former roles in business I have had to do this extensively and while I struggled with not likely the politics or personalities at time I was successful when I put my heart, soul and mind to the task.
After talking to the past president about me and the roles he said he would get back to me. At that point in time I was looking at an “entry level” position where I could learn about the guild and how it operates. Apparently others had different ideas. The past president called me back later that same evening to tell me that several of the people he talked to gave me a “ringing endorsement” and one even said if were president, they would step forward and fill one of the other executive positions. I was honoured – but President???? Careful what you wish for!!!!
I guess we’ll see in 8 months if I’m still singing the same song. January 06 That went wellLast night I went to auditions for the Gateway Theatre Guild’s upcoming presentation of “The Melville Boys”. I felt very good about my performance and had fun doing it, which is most important.
When I looked around the hall and saw who had come out for the auditions I immediately got the old self doubt going. “How could I compare with these seasoned actors”. By the end of the evening I felt I had held my own against the other males auditioning and felt my performances were strong and worthy of note.
The trick with this auditioning is that you are doing it “cold”. I did not see the script before going in. I had only a few minutes to read the scene that would be done, so you are interpreting the character as you read the words from the pages. Makes for fun moments as some of actors loose their place on the page, while trying to interpret and act the moment.
The experience I have from radio really helps in these situations. I am pretty good at reading out loud and quickly “feel” what the mood of a piece and am able to deliver that in the reading. There was one scene a fellow actor wanted to do and he needed someone to play against. This fellow has trained as an actor and hopes to make acting a career. I volunteered to go on stage with him (NEVER miss a chance to be in front of the director!). The scene was supercharged with emotion and very quickly we both got into it and I believe we delivered a credible performance, for not having read the script previously. I even heard scattered applause from the other actors as we left the stage. That felt great!
AND to top it off, one of the other actors auditioining (a fellow I have seen in a previous performance and respect his abilities), said to me that during one of my audition deliveries he leaned over to another actor and suggested they should cast me as Lee.
That comment made me feel very good. Even if I don’t get a part, I enjoyed the process and the experience was very good.
It also made me think I should of tried to make acting my career. However, when I was in my late teens and early twenties, this option never even crossed my mind. Now I’m thinking that this would be a great outlet after I retire. Get involved in acting in commercials or TV. At least then I would have the time to devote to it, it wouldn’t be my sole source of income, and it would give me a reason to get up in the morning! Oh yeah, and by that time my daughter will be established as a big time movie producer or director and I'm sure she will throw dear old dad a bone a or two - after all, who helped pay for your education????
 Today I’m off to participate in the filming of a TV Pilot. I’m doing a “extra” role and have two lines to deliver. I’m hoping it might lead into a recurring character for me. Then I’m back to the auditions for “The Melville Boys”. The directors like to play different actors off each other in different scenes and scheduled two times for auditions. And like I said previous, never miss a chance to be in front of the directors.
As they say in the biz…..”break a leg”.
5:00 PM addendum: I didn't get a part in the play, but I lost out to a very good actor, who has the advantage of name recognition in the community. I don't feel bad at all. I'm pleased with my effort and will keep trying. December 17 The Last Show!It has gone so fast! Five shows behind us and a matinee today to end the run. It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed myself, but part of me is looking forward to the show ending. I’ll be able to get back to my routine, get some much needed sleep and maybe even clean my house.
The show has been going really well. We had a dip in the performance on Wednesday, but since then the entire cast and crew have really been delivering awesome shows. Everything has been clicking.
I’m still amazed at how different each audience can be. On Wednesday we had a house that was laughing throughout (I’ve mentioned that before), Friday night they were applauding at the end of each scene, and then last night the audience was very quiet. However, when you were on stage you could tell the silence was the result of them really being into the performance. The audience was riveted to the stage. Their appreciation flowed over during the curtain call when there was a lot of applause and spontaneous and simultaneous standing ovation. Ah yes, live theatre – you got to love it!
Since I’ve been doing the play I haven’t been paying much attention to house and it is starting to look rather cluttered and disorganized! Thinking about it I haven’t cooked a meal in over a week. Most of my dinners have been reheated left-over that I had frozen. They were nutritional and quick. But oh to have a fresh cooked piece of chicken!
I’m worried my head cold will settle in full force on Monday. Being so busy has meant I haven’t had time to get sick. But I can see once the let down happens, the sinus headache that has been lingering will explode – oh well, I have lots of sick days built up from work.
If you are interested I’ve posted some of the pictures from the production in a photo album entitled “Streetcar”.
That is it for now. I’ve got to get ready to head to the theatre. December 14 A different audienceI’ve heard it said by many fellow thespians that audiences can be so different from one evening to the next. I’ve experienced this myself and last night was no different.
We had a good crowd, about 109 people, and they were more engaged in the show. They were laughing more at the subtle humour in the show (the show is NOT a comedy!). Unfortunately the laughter seemed to throw a few of the main actors and a few lines (no sections) of the play were skipped last night.
We also had a set malfunction. There is a curtain, which hangs from the rafters and slides back and forth. It is set to separate the two halves of the stage, to give the illusion of two rooms. In one of the final scenes, Stanley is prowling after Blanche and he aggressively pushes the curtain open. Last night that curtain came down in that scene, which left the final scene to run with the curtain in a partial hanging position.
When I walked on stage for the final scene I looked over and thought “Hmmmmm, that’s not right” – I’m really perceptive!
I screwed up one of my lines royally. I’ve got one line that is said in Spanish. I’ve been saying it one way through rehearsals and someone finally told me how to properly say it. So last night I am repeating and repeating the correct way to say it, trying desperately to break the memories I have of the line. When the time comes to deliver it, I deliver a line that is no where near the one I said in rehearsal or the way it is suppose to be said. Ah, the joys of live theatre.
But tonight is a brand new show! We suffered the second show slump last night. Now that is behind us, we’ll get better. And with good momentum building for audiences we are hoping for bigger audiences for the weekend performances. December 13 Opening Night Success!Opening Night! The moment actors live for. The chance to perform in front of live audience. No more rehearsal, no more chances to say “oh, I’m sorry I missed that line” and do over.
This is it, lights and curtains are up! And true to form it was exhilarating. To make things even better the show went very well. Yeah, there were a few mistakes made, but nothing the audience would ever know and that is what makes live theatre so exciting – no performance is ever exactly the same.
We had a very good crowd for the opening night. Those who have been around the Gateway Theatre Guild were very pleased with the size of the crowd. Especially since the Guild has never run show on this schedule (Tuesday – Saturday with a Sunday Matinee). Usually they run the shows Thursday to Saturday over two weeks. But owing to the facility problems we experienced and the rescheduling they choose to cram the six performances into one week.
There were 84 tickets sold. Theatre capacity is 222. Yeah, not a big number by some theatre standards, but this is community theatre, with limited resources and marketing dollars.
The other good thing was that this crowd was very into the presentation. They were responsive and involved in the entire show.
As a cast we also shaved an huge amount of time off the show run time. The total length was 3 hours last night and that included two intermissions which managed to stretch to 15 minutes rather than the scheduled 10. So the run time of the show was shortened by almost 40 minutes from some of our runs. Not bad eh!
The hope is that these people will all tell a few others about the show and those numbers will only grow for our next performances.
My challenge will be to make it through the week! I’m dragging my butt today. Mind you, some of the cast went for a beer after the show and I didn’t get home until close to midnight and then was too wound to get to bed until almost 1 AM. That is way late for me! Tonight I will be a good boy and go straight home after the show and get my beauty sleep.
One Down – Five to Go December 11 Almost There!You can tell the play has become to dominate aspect of my life right now. It is all I can think of writing about.
Last night we did the photo shoot for front house photos. These are photos that will decorate the lobby of the theatre and give the audience something to look at while waiting. I’ve been told we will get a copy of those pictures on a disk, so I might have some new photos to add to this space.
My one concern for this play is it’s length. It is running way too long. While we haven’t done a full run without any stops yet, I’m betting this thing is running 3 hours.
There are three things contributing to this dilemma: 1) this is a long play; 2) all actors need to get tighter on picking up their cues and following the next line and finally 3) the lead actors have to stop using the “dramatic pause” for effect. The dramatic pause is OK to a point, but after a while, it just drags things out.
But alas, I am not the director, so I’ll confine my comments to this space, of which I am lord and master and is about the only thing I have somewhat control over.
Other than that, the play has come together very well. Things are starting to click and there were only a few rough spots last night.
We got finished about 11:30 last night, which meant I didn’t get to bed until after midnight. Way past my bed time! If this keeps up I’ll be one tired character by the end of the week.
Our full dress rehearsal is tonight! Opening night tomorrow. I hope we get an audience! December 10 Cue To CueJust as I knew it would be, the rehearsal yesterday was a long one.
I got to the theatre by the call time of 3:30 PM, but they were not finished the light set up yet and that took until around 4:30 PM. Then it was a cue to cue technical set-up for acts two and three.
A cue to cue rehearsal is where you only work on the sections of the play where the lights and sound guys need to figure out when and which buttons to push. It is a critical component of the production because as good as the acting might be, if a light doesn’t come one when an actor says “Let me turn on this light” and flips the switch, it can take away from the entire moment.
But oh how long and tedious it can be. The director is basically communicating with the stage manager (who will run the show during presentations) and the technical people. Unfortunately they sometimes forget that there are people on stage (and back stage) who need to know where we are in the process and what is going to happen next.
The scenario often goes like this:
Stage Manager – “OK, we are going from where Blanche enters room and says <insert whatever dialogue here>. Lights will come up on <insert cue> and we need the gun shot sound right after Blanche say <insert whatever dialogue here>”
At this point there is usually a long pause as the technical people make notes to themselves and may discuss the nuance and feel of the moment with the director. This discussion may go on over an intercom system, so the actors on stage on are not part of the discussion.
Stage Manager – “Places and go!”
Actors – get ready and begin to act from that point.
Technical may or may not happen on cue. If it doesn’t there is usually more discussion while the actors look for things to do to amuse themselves! And that is where the biggest challenge comes from.
I’ve actually had a lot of laughs and generated a lot of laughs as the actors begin to do or say things that are totally silly, but which break the tedium of the moment. It is really interesting to see what people will do when they begin to get bored. We become little children, looking for something to do to entertain ourselves or get into mischief.
I’m sure this can be frustrating for the stage manager and technical crew who are trying to concentrate on their tasks. But actors have a lot of pent up energy that NEEDS to be released.
I think the key is keeping this to a minimum is constant and clear communication with those on the stage as to what is happening. If I ever did that role I might try to set up a PA system that would allow everyone to hear the discussion as to what was going on. If everyone is engaged in the process then I think it would be less likely we would get confused as to where we are in the process and what was coming up next.
After the cue to cue set up work, we took a dinner break (about 7:15 PM) and returned for a full cue to cue run at 8PM. The actors again work through all the cue and scene changes, while the technical people, director and stage manager make sure all the cues they set up previously actually work.
We finished the evening by around 10PM.
The call time today is for 6PM where we will have an in costume photo session. Then by 7:00 PM we hope to start a dress rehearsal, but are leaving the option to do stop and start if something isn’t working.
If I was directing, we’d be doing a stop / start run at noon today and then a full dress run this evening. If we do a lot of stop starts that leaves us just one dress rehearsal tomorrow night before we open on Tuesday.
Oh well, it is not like I haven’t done this before. At Kings Valley Wesleyan Church we use to joke that our true dress rehearsal was opening night, cause we would be doing some sort of stop / start right up to the end.
But the good thing. The excitement and energy are building nicely. We will be ready Tuesday one way or the other. December 09 The Excitement BuildsUp to this point I think most of the posts I’ve done about the play I'm involved in have been complaining about the time commitment. Having a small role and still needing to be around the theatre rehearsals, makes for some long boring hours. Some may wonder why I even get involved.
Well opening night is Tuesday and I can feel the anticipation and excitement building in me. Now when I get to rehearsal I feel the anticipation building, I am more engaged in everything going on around me, I’m looking for ways to make my character better and more believable. Even with a small supporting role, I need to be the character in order to make this play work. It is true there is no small part!
So even with the long rehearsals expected today, tomorrow and then Dress Rehearsal on Monday, I’m looking forward to it. It is the rush you get when you get on stage and you know the audience is out there, even if you can’t see them because of the lights.
Yes, that is why I do this. And already I’m looking forward to what is the next play I can audition for. Being an entertainer, whether as a DJ on the radio, or as an actor is what really cranks me up!
Bring on opening night – I’m ready and excited to be there! December 06 Move InIn community theatre the “Move In” is a big event. This is where the actors and sets come together for the possibly the first time. But not only is move in a big event, it marks the start of one of the longest, most boring weeks in an actor’s life!
Move In for the current production happened over the last couple of days. I was not involved at all – which is kinda nice. The reason I was not involved is that most of the move in occurred while I was at work.
With Move In spanning a couple of days and the theatre not being available to us last night, we did a line run last night. All the actors sit in a circle and say their lines, without emotion and not in character. Even for those of us with very small roles (I have less than a dozen lines in total and do not have the smallest part) this can be a productive event. For me, it helps me understand the play in its entirety.
I saw the Saint John Theatre Company’s presentation of “A Streetcar Named Desire” and it was marvelous. But I didn’t pick up all the subtle nuances of the characters and what was going on between Stanley and Blanche. That was not the fault of the actors, but my different learning style. In addition I was there to be entertained, and was not necessarily trying to English Lit study on the piece. But now, having sat through so many rehearsals, I am finally getting it!
So it was last night with the Line Run. It’s like have the story read to you and being an auditory learner, this was a big benefit for me.
Tonight the actors meet the set for the first time. We’ve been working with a mock up at the rehearsal space, but it smaller and not complete.
Tomorrow night we have off, because the theatre is not available (not sure why). Then it will be everyday for 10 days. We have cue-to-cue and technical runs during the day on Saturday and Sunday and then dress runs in the evening. Monday night is the final full dress rehearsal. Then Tuesday of next week we are on stage and all the effort and sacrifice becomes worth it.
I love the thrill of being on stage. It is a rush and gives me a sense of being someone more than I am. My own life is rather boring and staid, but to be another character – now that is exciting. Bringing a character to life is wonderful and challenging.
I will continue to try to post something on a regular basis, but given the schedule, it may get sporadic. Take care and have a great day. November 30 Getting Beat Up!I am really getting beat up. No serious – I’m getting beat up!
I have a minor role in the play “A Street Car Name Desire”. So I’m available to do a crowd scene, which occurs in Act 3 Scene 4. In this scene things are on a downward spiral for Blanche. Stanley has confronted her about her lies, she is scrambling trying to recapture the illusion she lives within and the back ground scene shows the underside of society.
I’m part of that background scene. I get mugged by two thugs in the background. I get kneed in the stomach and then knocked to the ground. The challenge is that I have never learnt the proper techniques for stage fighting, so as I drop to the floor I’ve been landing on my right knee and elbow. Those two pieces of my body are getting rather bruised and tender!
Don’t get me wrong – it is really enjoyable doing it. I love physical acting and the fact that the two thugs end up totally out of breath and I don’t even break my normal breathing pattern really speaks to the exercise regiment I’ve been following. Makes me feel really good – well except for my sore knee and elbow!
We go on stage in 12 days! Oh I hope we are ready. Last night's rehearsal was still extremely choppy and disjointed. By this time we should be working on refining timing and cues, not motivation and lines! I’ve never worked with a director who gives so little direction! His one comment last night was that the run length was too long and the actors had to pick up the pace and not work in so many pauses! NO KIDDING! But maybe you should have been working that months ago. The play will be good and it will come together; I just think this director should have taken a more active role and been more assertive during rehearsals.
But since I'm not willing to step up and take on the challenge of directing one of these productions, I shouldn't throw too many stones! October 04 I'm Two for TwoSo I walk into the rehearsal space for the play I’m involved in and there is an intense discussion going on. Having only a small part means I’m not around as much as other actors and am a little removed from the drama that is playing out within the drama.
To make a long story short – there are a number of issues this production is dealing with, including a very poor rehearsal space (very small, can't set up the entire stage to size and we are competeing against a belly dancing class next door - between the music and noise they make, it is really hard to concentrate), a theatre that will not allowing certain elements from this play to be presented (open flame or smoking) and a theatre executive that is in turmoil (president has resigned and the next in line is in China). So it was decided to postpone this production until these issues can be dealt with.
This is the second production I have been involved in that has gotten screwed up and it looks like I won’t get a chance to perform. The sad part is I don’t really have any feelings one way or the other.
My word I miss the Saint John Theatre Company – Second Stage crew! July 06 Short and StrangeIt was short and strange!
No I’m not describing me on a bad day.
It was my audition this evening for the upcoming Gateway Theatre Guild presentation of “A Street Car Name Desire”.
I walked in, was given a book, told to read a part with several other actors. So far nothing out the ordinary. I read my part – three lines or about three words each. Page of text is finished. Director looks at me and says “Thanks, I’ll be in touch”.
That was it??!!
I’ve read greeting cards that took me longer than that! Usually at auditions you read several different parts, try it several different ways, spend several minutes working for the director. But this was over before I had time to blink.
My guess is that either:
The director has already cast the play and is going through the motions;
or, I have the look he wants and it doesn’t matter what I read like; or,
I stunk!
Not quite sure which it is. And I skipped the Dragon Boat Practise for this – at least I got my grocery shopping done while I was out , so the evening wasn’t a total waste of time.
Definitely one to file in the “strange but true” file. May 11 2 To Go!There was an interesting energy in the theatre tonight before the performance. While all of the actors were going through their pre-show rituals and routines the noise level was higher than I remember it before. There was excitement in the air. Having had four nights off, this was almost like opening night all over again.
And there was going to be a good sized house for the performance.
It was interesting that the performance started a little flat. Nothing identifiably wrong with it, it just didn’t have the same energy and punch as the last Saturday performance. But that was quickly replaced with excellent energy and concentration by the actors. They just had to get rolling.
Natalie, the young actress playing Desdemona, has a wonderful grasp of the emotion of her character and brings it every night. Desdemona is the most volatile and emotional of all the characters and Nat brings that out in a her body and vocal presentation. She is definitely into the roll.
All of the actors continue to give stellar performances. While I do not agree with the interpretation of some of the minor roles (I don’t see Tybalt as the drunkard he is being portrayed as); overall the performances are strong.
And up to the last scene change my partner and I were bang on with the balcony moves. I have no idea what happened with the last change, but we were so far off mark that we were almost off stage at the very back! We must of lost total perspective on where we were and where we had to go. Our saving grace – the last scene is short and the balcony is not a focal point. Whew!
2 more shows to go and then I can put this production to bed! For now, I just have to put myself to bed!
Till later. May 05 It Went BetterTonight’s performance went much better all around. The actors, the technical and stage hands all put on a much better performance. I've said it before, but I have to say it again, I am very impressed with the actors who had to pick up so many of the parts. Their ability to memorize the lines in such a short time and the amount of work they put into rehearsals is nothing short of incredible. They deserve all the applause they receive. So its two down and four to go! Opening Night JittersOpening Night - Sheeeeeeze! It wasn’t a smooth or spectacular performance last night. Everyone seemed to have opening night jitters and while everyone was congratulating each other on a “great performance”, I couldn’t help feel that it was very sub par.
From opening, when the stage manager cued the lights too early for the opening sequence, to me and my partner not being able to hit the marks as we moved the very large balcony stage piece, to each actor messing up lines, it was a less than stellar performance.
The good news however is that the show remained entertaining for the small crowd we had and for the most part, the audience wouldn’t know the mistakes were made. Ah the beauty of theatre!
As for me, I was very upset with the poor performance of me and my partner in moving the balcony stage piece around the set. (I used words and language I haven't used in years and felt terrible about it later).
I am getting frustrated with the fellow I’m working with. He can’t seem to remember what the next move is. I’m continually reminding him what we have to do and the logistics to do it and he still goes ahead and moves the wrong way. Because we are moving this set piece from inside of it, our moves have to be exact to find our next marks. One slight error and we're (pardon the expression) screwed! If you miss the next mark, then the likelihood of finding it is minimal.
So it was last night. I messed up on the first move, no doubt. But early in the 2nd act I told him to hold his corner until I rotated the down stage end in line for the move to stage right. What did he do? He start moving his end in sync with me as I’m trying to rotate the piece! Then I find him trying to find a stage mark, in the dark, with a flashlight in his hand, which is not turned on! I should give him a break though – by that time it had been 30 minutes since he had a cigarette, so his concentration was probably elsewhere.
I just hope I can maintain my patience with this idiot long enough that we get the performances finished before I do something totally out of character for me.
Let’s hope tonight goes better. May 04 Its show timeDress rehearsal is over.
The audience will be in place tonight!
Bring it on!
We haven't even done our first show and I'm already tired of it.
But then with the long hours I've been putting in - I'm just tired! May 02 Another Night at the TheatreI spent another evening at the theatre last night. At least this time I was able to be more active and engaged. We did a complete run and do we ever need to work on scene changes!
People can really dissappointment you. One of the actors who also lost his part and said he would work back stage has been very inconsistent in showing up. We had to call him Sunday to remind him and then he didn't show up last night. The major set piece we have to move requires two people and with out him, the transitions are not smooth. Someone is going to talk to him today.
There is an upside to him not being there - I don't have to listen to his constant chatter while waiting inside the set piece.
I am very impressed with the way the actors have picked up their lines. It is still a little rough in spots, but it is nothing that will be noticed by the audience and it will be worked out. The actors have put in an enormous amount of work and they are to be commended!
Since I will be at the theatre every night this week my posting may be sporatic.
One other thing - my baby is sick! When I took my motorcycle for a ride on Saturday I heard the sound of sand being rubbed together. Then I noticed oil leaking from my rear wheel. The bike is a shaft drive, so I am really worried about what might be broken back there. I can't even get in to check the oil level because of the way my saddlebags are situated. I'm taking the bike in for its spring service tomorrow, so I'll get them to check the oil leak. I just hope I have enough oil in the system to get it to the shop! More money out the window! April 29 A Looooonnnnnnnggggg DayIt started at 8AM this morning as we loaded up the truck with all the props and set pieces and moved them from the rehearsal hall to the theatre. It ended when I left the theatre this evening at 11PM!
I don’t put that many hours into my job in a single day!
Unfortunately there was still lots of “hurry up and wait” time. But that is expected for theatre work.
I helps “spike” the stage today. This means moving the set pieces around for various scenes, while the director checks site lines, sets lighting and once it is all set, put pieces of tape on the floor so we know where to move the set pieces for each scene change. The objective is to have the entire process very choreographed so every looks smooth.
Unfortunately there were several hours were there was nothing for me to do but sit and play solitaire on my Blackberry, while the director worked through sound and then light cues. The actors then showed up at 7PM and wanted to do a run of the show in the theatre.
I am impressed at how they have so quickly picked up all the parts and re-blocked several scenes. They are putting in an enormous amount of work. I expect all will be exhausted by the end.
I did enjoy the day, despite the long day and the fact I'm not acting in this production. I almost backed out completely. Shortly after the announcement I found my heart was just not in the production. But after I went to one of the rehearsals I had the feeling that I needed to stay involved. And a ride on my bike helped to remove the cobwebs from between my ears and helped me think straight. I also attribute part of my initial feeling to the "funk" I'm working myself into because of another issue which continues to get me down. I’m back at the theatre for 12 noon tomorrow. We have what is called a cue to cue rehearsal (we just do the end of one scene and the start of another) and then a tech rehearsal and then a “run” of the play – it is going to be a long day! And what makes it worse – it is suppose to be a gorgeous day outside! Ah life in the theatre! |
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