Setting Up Shop

             

Tech is at times the best and the worst part of putting on a show from a stage management perspective. It’s the moment where things start to pull together, and you get your first glimpse into the final product. It’s also a long and tedious marathon of constant interaction and changes.

           

 Unlike most of the shows I’ve done at BW, where we rehearse in the space, this is the first show where we had a proper load-in to the theatre. On Monday, the day before tech, I was at the theatre from 3-7 helping get the space set up. We laid down the grid dance floor (which was pre-painted), hung the huge 4’ diameter mirror ball, set up props tables, hung and focused the light plot, and much more.

           

 The first challenge was simply getting used to the space. Backstage of Playhouse Square is a labyrinth of halls that can become very disorienting. The dressing rooms are very far away from the Helen Lab, so we posted signs with arrows to make a trail for the actors.

I found my experience working in the shop as an electrician to be very beneficial. I was tasked with assisting in setting up the four spot lights, and I instantly knew what and how to do it. It enabled me to just jump in with one of the crew guys and get everything done, rather than be It was cool to see how being well rounded really does pay off. That was one of the things that drew me to BW initially was that I would have the opportunity to learn about all areas of theatre, not just my specific focus. When we left that night, we were in good shape to begin full tech the next day.