Testing

They blocked my ability to post at work, which is the only place I posted from. Soooo...time to set up mobile blogging. Testing it out now. I'm in the booth at the Red Eye, during a section of Caligula with no cues. Let's see if this works.

Tech Week

I know a lot of people dread tech week, but I love it. For those not in the know, tech week is when rehearsals for a play start adding technical elements - lights, sound, costumes, full set and props. It's hard work, getting everything to come together and time out right. Lots of problem solving and standing around, hurrying up to wait, that sort of thing. It's also the transition point when stage managers take control of a production from the director. The director is still there, still in charge and making decisions, but (in theory) once the show opens the stage manager is in charge.

I really love seeing all the elements of a play come together. There's something that happens when we figure out the timing of those cues, and the lights and the sound enhance the dramatic tension on stage. Actors put on their costumes and their posture changes. The physicality of their characters starts to come through more. Their world is created and they adjust to it. It's really interesting work, and I really enjoy helping bring it all together.

I can tell if I've done my job well up to this point if the cast and crew turn to me with questions and concerns. If they aren't seeking me out, then I haven't earned their trust, which is a very bad thing. When they look to me for confirmation on something, I know I've earned their respect. I do have things I need to work on - I think I too often jump in to offer my opinion on how things should go, instead of letting the designers and the director interact. I think I do a good job of working with the designers to figure out where cues should be called, going off what they describe as the effect they're hoping for, or offering information about how actors are playing a moment, but I need to be more respectful in letting the director make their own choices and keeping out of those conversations.

I'm also rusty on calling cues, I think in no small part to the reality of being a stage manager and a board op. When I'm not calling light cues, and I'm in booths that require a minimum of talking, I tend to shorthand cue calling, which works for the shows I'm doing, but still makes me worried about losing that skill. Calling a show is tricky and I take pride in that I do it well.

It's good to have things to work on, though. And it's good to be in tech week, even when I'm exhausted. I'm really proud of this show, and excited to see it up on it's feet.

Bwah?

What happened to last week? I suppose I did take Thursday and Friday off (Thursday planned, Friday unplanned) so maybe that's part of it. Maybe I'm just losing time again.

Thursday went to Guthrie props and warehouse to pick up stuff for the Penumbra show. I heart the Guthrie props department. I could live in that prop room. New goal for me is to get hired on in the props department at the Guthrie. I wish I was joking about how much I loved it there.

We got tons of cool stuff for The Whipping Man, so that's awesome. Friday I woke up feeling achy and just new I was going to get sick, so I stayed home and slept a lot. Not enough, I'm still tired (or maybe the weekend took it out of me), but I haven't gotten full blown sick, so that's good.

Saturday I spent working on The Whipping Man. I recovered a chaise and it looks awesome, though I say so myself. I was really nervous I would mess it up, but for a piece of stage furniture, it's very well done. That took up most of my work time. I then headed home and decided to skip the birthday party Justin was going to and go out with the girls instead. We went to dinner and then saw "He's Just Not That Into You..." which was pretty good. Some parts were better then others, and I wish they had ended it a bit differently, but overall a good evening.

Sunday I headed back to Penumbra and finished up the chaise. I also brought in some pillows I recovered and some canvas bags I made. I enjoy feeling productive and handy. I also got to find out where to buy lamb shank, not that I hope to ever need that information again. From there I headed over to Park Square to see Jekyll and Hyde with Justin. He then headed out to meet up with a friend and I had the unenviable task of striking props and set dressing. So many beakers to rinse out! But I got all the props out of the theater, and will go back next weekend to clean up the prop shop and find homes for all those beakers. Finished up the evening with a bit of grocery shopping and some chinese food for dinner.

Not a bad weekend overall, just overly full. Two tech weeks is too many, even if I don't have to worry about getting over to Penumbra at all. I'm hoping to focus on Caligula, and getting that up on it's feet. Very excited about the first night of tech. Just wish I wasn't so tired.

The next week is going to be busy, but after that I get some free time again. I'm very glad to not have any shows until Robots starts up in May. Getting to head home and have my evenings free will be a welcome change.

Weekend Round-up

A very good weekend was had. We had a party for Justin's cast from Flickering Wall on Friday night. What a fun group of people they are. And further proof that we have an excellent house for parties. I'm really excited to see what happens when the upstairs is completed and we get a full house to use. And we're getting closer to being able to start in on the upstairs! Very exciting.

Saturday was an odd day. I was supposed to go to a baby shower, but the baby ended up wanting to attend, so mom went to the hospital and gave birth instead. Both mom and son are doing great, from what I hear.

Went to lunch with Justin, Seth, Pree and Gail on Saturday afternoon, after stopping in at Uncle Hugo's. We went to the Global Market and had yummy food and enjoyed the people watching. Then we headed back to our house where Justin took a nap to be ready for performing, and Seth, Pree and Gail watched City of Ember. Having already seen that movie, and not being very impressed with it, I worked on finishing book #6, which I did. His Dark Materials breaks my heart in all the right places. Highly recommended. Saturday night I went over to Andrew's and hung out there for awhile. We watched Hell's Kitchen (I heart Gordon Ramsey) and Top Chef. It was lowkey and excellent.

Sunday I went shopping with my co-props master from Penumbra. We picked out swatches for a chaise we have to reupholster, and got fabric to make bags from. We also made some plans for the week, and figured out how to get this stuff done. I feel pretty good about it overall. Then I went and picked up a saddle for the show from my uncle, and hung out at home for awhile. Brought Justin to the theater for his final two performances, and ran some errands. Headed home. Made a roast and some mashed potatoes to last us for the week. Did some laundry. Had some quality alone time. Went back to pick up Justin, and then went to bed.

I felt productive and rested coming out of the weekend. This morning I'm feeling scattered and exhausted. How'd that happen? Unfair. Ah well. I'm hoping to maintain getting that productive feeling out of weekends. My next couple of weekends should allow for that, especially two weekends from now when I have Monday off (Thanks, President's Day!). That's when I'll get to start on Justin's office. This theater/house cycle of work actually seems to be working. Just when I was reaching the end of my ability to focus on the house, rehearsal started and now I'm reaching the start of the end of my ability to focus on theater, but getting excited about working on the house!