Today was an emotion filled day. I got to the studio around 10:00 am to prep for today's tech. We started at the St. James around 12:30 pm with all of the cast, crew, and writers, and some of the producers. The rehearsal began with a welcome speech from the producers. Then at the end of the introduction, we all went around the theatre and introduced ourselves and told everyone what our role was on the production - it was quite strange introducing myself right before Harry Connick Jr and all of the "old pros" of the Great White Way. I felt incredibly humbled and strangely comfortable. The entire group was so obviously excited about moving forward with tech - which is both exciting and frightening all at the same time.
We began at the top of the show and slowly and methodically moved through the first 15 minutes of the show. Aside from some tense moments, things went well. Lots of notes on set pieces. Tomorrow, I will be working on designing a new paint scheme for a couple of restaurant chairs for three scenes - small, but still very exciting.
Tomorrow will be another long, long day ending around 10:30 pm. Then, starting on Thursday, we have 4 or 5 10 out of 12's in a row before the first dress! This is going to get interesting. . .
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Day 2 Dry Tech: Run Thru
Today started off really great with a few hours in the theatre for Dry Tech. Not that there's a lot I do; however, just watching the lighting designer work with his crew setting levels and writing cues was another educational opportunity.
Tomorrow is another long day but I'm not complaining.
Tomorrow is another long day but I'm not complaining.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Working on a New Musical
Today was another red letter day. I began by updating groundplans for CLEAR DAY and quickly switched gears to attend a meeting with Christine. Christine is collaborating on the new musical that is based on the documentary that took place in Longview, Texas a few years back.
The production meeting was fascinating. This was one of the first meetings Christine had and I learned some new techniques on how to have an open dialogue that is informative and specific, but still remain open and creative.
After the meeting I hightailed it over to the theatre as the crew was ahead of schedule so the Dry Tech got a head start. Hopefully that means the next couple of days will also go just as well - I can dream, can't I?
The production meeting was fascinating. This was one of the first meetings Christine had and I learned some new techniques on how to have an open dialogue that is informative and specific, but still remain open and creative.
After the meeting I hightailed it over to the theatre as the crew was ahead of schedule so the Dry Tech got a head start. Hopefully that means the next couple of days will also go just as well - I can dream, can't I?
Early Start
I got into the city early (8:00 am) this morning to try to get a head start on updating all of the various groundplans for the crew members. We begin Dry Tech tomorrow and after that, I am certain my time will be limited. Please indulge me for a moment to share some of what I feel being here and working with these artists.
One of the most wonderful experiences thus far is just how excited these everyone is to be doing theatre. I think, as a full time academician, we get spoiled with having the opportunity to create theatre upwards of 10 times a year - these artists are never guaranteed another chance to practice what they love - I tend to forget that when we all struggle to "pick a season." We should be so lucky to "pick a season."
While we were sitting in the theatre, the lighting designer was playing with his lighting on a select piece of scenery that Christine had designed and the joy and excitement he had when she walked in to meet with the production coordinator was infectious. He was so jazzed to show how "awesome" the piece looked under his lights - and take my word, it did! It's these little moments that happen with designers, directors, prop carpenters, and electricians every day that makes me grateful that I have a built in opportunity to create art each and every year. Does it get tiresome? Certainly. Should I take it for granted? Never. We are very, very lucky and should remember that every time we complain about another 10 out of 12 at the University Theatre.
Well, enough philosophizing for the morning - back to the studio for more drafting, soldering, gluing, cutting (hopefully more than my fingers. . . ) and living the dream. . .
One of the most wonderful experiences thus far is just how excited these everyone is to be doing theatre. I think, as a full time academician, we get spoiled with having the opportunity to create theatre upwards of 10 times a year - these artists are never guaranteed another chance to practice what they love - I tend to forget that when we all struggle to "pick a season." We should be so lucky to "pick a season."
While we were sitting in the theatre, the lighting designer was playing with his lighting on a select piece of scenery that Christine had designed and the joy and excitement he had when she walked in to meet with the production coordinator was infectious. He was so jazzed to show how "awesome" the piece looked under his lights - and take my word, it did! It's these little moments that happen with designers, directors, prop carpenters, and electricians every day that makes me grateful that I have a built in opportunity to create art each and every year. Does it get tiresome? Certainly. Should I take it for granted? Never. We are very, very lucky and should remember that every time we complain about another 10 out of 12 at the University Theatre.
Well, enough philosophizing for the morning - back to the studio for more drafting, soldering, gluing, cutting (hopefully more than my fingers. . . ) and living the dream. . .
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Week Two Begins
I have a brief update of where we are. We are two days from our first dry tech for Clear Day. I am posting the 52+ groundplans that I am responsible for updating as the scene shift plots develop. The crew needs accurate run sheets that show where each scenic unit is placed on stage. This show has 59 (as of today) different looks!
I was assigned a name badge in order to attend rehearsals as the cast prepares to take the stage next week. (in case you thought I was making this all up just hanging out in the Big Apple seeing Spiderman!)
Today I split my time between updating paperwork for Clear day and doing some preliminary work on a new musical. There is a meeting with the director tomorrow so we wanted to have something to share.
Well, I need to get back to work learning Vectorworks. Even after 15 years of using Autocad, I am still at a loss sometimes when it comes to another program. Another long night.
Oh, this is me. . . and Harry. And my view this morning - yeah, don't feel sorry for me. . .
I was assigned a name badge in order to attend rehearsals as the cast prepares to take the stage next week. (in case you thought I was making this all up just hanging out in the Big Apple seeing Spiderman!)
Well, I need to get back to work learning Vectorworks. Even after 15 years of using Autocad, I am still at a loss sometimes when it comes to another program. Another long night.
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| Me and Harry Connick waiting for opening night! |
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| My sunrise from the Heights |
Friday, October 21, 2011
End of Week One
It has been a full week of work here in the Big Apple, and I can say, without a doubt, it has lived up to my expectation. I can't begin to tell you all what I've learned thus far and I know my true education begins on the 31st - when the Actors hit the stage for the first time.
I started my day with my wife (she flew in for a few days!) heading from 181st Street down to 14th Street on the Express A train to return books (research books) at the Parson's Library and pick up art supplies for the Rigoletto model. I went to the absolute coolest art store! It was actually the store where Robert Rauschenberg used to buy his supplies back in the day. Every paper imaginable was there for sale along with the greatest selection of paint, brushes, adhesives, art cases, . . . . OK, I am an art store nerd.
When I returned to the studio, Christine's associate and I frantically finished the details on the presentation model for their big meeting tonight for the Artistic Director at the Met. I finished cutting out scenic units and then built a storage box for all of the hanging scenery. The 1/2" scale model is gigantic!!!
The Metropolitan Opera sent a driver over to the studio to pick up the model for this evenings presentation and Brett and I had to take the freight elevator (the model was THAT big!!) down from the 15th floor to meet the driver and load it in his pickup. After we wrapped up on Rigoletto for the day, I headed over to the St. James to check in on Clear Day. I met with the technical coordinator to go over some set and prop details and report back to Christine. All in all, it looks as if we will be all set for Dry Tech on Thursday.
Next week begins a whirlwind of juggling three large shows at the same time. One at the Met, one at the St. James, and another at La Jolla Playhouse! Some rest this weekend and time in the city with my wife, then back at it Monday morning.
The information I am learning will undoubtedly be incredibly valuable to my current, as well as future students - heck, to me as well for that matter! I sometimes pinch myself to remember that this is an opportunity that I am participating in and serve an amazing role in the creation of a Broadway Musical with some of the most talented, kind, and supportive artists I've ever met. I almost wish I could find a way to add this to my book. Oh well, maybe that's another book!
.More to come and in closing I want to quote one of my favorite movies, because I am: "Livin' The Dream, baby. Livin' The Dream!"
I started my day with my wife (she flew in for a few days!) heading from 181st Street down to 14th Street on the Express A train to return books (research books) at the Parson's Library and pick up art supplies for the Rigoletto model. I went to the absolute coolest art store! It was actually the store where Robert Rauschenberg used to buy his supplies back in the day. Every paper imaginable was there for sale along with the greatest selection of paint, brushes, adhesives, art cases, . . . . OK, I am an art store nerd.
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| My job was to make a box to ship all of the hanging scenery over to the Metropolitan Opera | . |
When I returned to the studio, Christine's associate and I frantically finished the details on the presentation model for their big meeting tonight for the Artistic Director at the Met. I finished cutting out scenic units and then built a storage box for all of the hanging scenery. The 1/2" scale model is gigantic!!!
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| The rest of the model furniture, people, etc. |
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| Me outside of the marquee |
The information I am learning will undoubtedly be incredibly valuable to my current, as well as future students - heck, to me as well for that matter! I sometimes pinch myself to remember that this is an opportunity that I am participating in and serve an amazing role in the creation of a Broadway Musical with some of the most talented, kind, and supportive artists I've ever met. I almost wish I could find a way to add this to my book. Oh well, maybe that's another book!
.More to come and in closing I want to quote one of my favorite movies, because I am: "Livin' The Dream, baby. Livin' The Dream!"
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Busy Day 4: Prepping for Design Presentation for Rigoletto
Today was incredible. I got to the studio early and worked a bit on Clear Day. Once Christine arrived, I switched over to working on Rigoletto with the Associate Designer. I was cutting out model benches, a bar that needed stools, and a number of other smaller "rough" model pieces.
We had an afternoon meeting for only an hour and had to show the director and lighting designer the progress. It was fascinating listening to Christine interact with the team.
We had an afternoon meeting for only an hour and had to show the director and lighting designer the progress. It was fascinating listening to Christine interact with the team.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Day Three: Learning a New Program - Yikes
Yesterday and today were both, what you call, baptism by fire. I was informed that all of the drafting that I would need to update daily during the technical rehearsal process was created using a program (VectorWorks) that I neither use, nor understand! It is similar to AutoCAD (which I've been using for 15 years) but just different enough that I was completely lost. Nothing like taking a shot to your pride when you have to inform the designer who hired you that, "No. I actually do NOT know how to draft using that program." Oh well . . . what 24 hours, a few trial and error attempts to convert the files to something I could use, and finally, a bunch of phone calls to a former student - thank you Shawn!!
I know that you're not supposed to be able to teach an old dog any new tricks, but this dog is getting it done! I have been spending the past 7+ hours playing around in the program with the occasional frantic call to Shawn and a shout out to my studio mate who is plenty busy working on Rigoletto. The good news is, I am starting to be able to feel about 78.4% confident that by October 31st (first day the actors take the stage), that I will be just fine. We shall see.
The set should be completed by Friday morning and then next week the lighting designer takes the stage for focus prior to our Dry Techs on Thursday and Friday - all day.
Another strange occurrence during our morning meeting at the theatre. I turned around because I was certain I recognized a voice from my past - long past. Like 24 years past. Sure enough, it was someone I went to undergrad with back at Stevens Point. She is an electrician in New York and works for the IATSE Local 1. I'm not sure she recognized me, but I think tomorrow I will refresh her memory. Small. Small. Awesome. World.
I know that you're not supposed to be able to teach an old dog any new tricks, but this dog is getting it done! I have been spending the past 7+ hours playing around in the program with the occasional frantic call to Shawn and a shout out to my studio mate who is plenty busy working on Rigoletto. The good news is, I am starting to be able to feel about 78.4% confident that by October 31st (first day the actors take the stage), that I will be just fine. We shall see.
The set should be completed by Friday morning and then next week the lighting designer takes the stage for focus prior to our Dry Techs on Thursday and Friday - all day.
Another strange occurrence during our morning meeting at the theatre. I turned around because I was certain I recognized a voice from my past - long past. Like 24 years past. Sure enough, it was someone I went to undergrad with back at Stevens Point. She is an electrician in New York and works for the IATSE Local 1. I'm not sure she recognized me, but I think tomorrow I will refresh her memory. Small. Small. Awesome. World.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Day One: Theatre, Rehearsal, Drafting, Photoshop. . . No Rest for the Weary
Well. . . Broadway does move at a pace unlike any other theatre I've encountered. I arrived at the St. James Theatre at 10 minutes to nine and met the production (for lack of a better term) Technical Director.
He gave me a tour of the theatre and in no time I was off to rehearsal with Christine to rework a scenic piece - a desk. While we were discussing how to alter Mark's (character's name) desk, I was able to catch a staging rehearsal with Harry Connick Jr. What an absolute professional. Very kind. Very focused.
After about 1.5 hours at rehearsal where we were measuring a scenic wagon that had less than an inch of clearance between scenery, fire pocket, and lighting equipment. After that, I headed to the Equity office to sign my contract, then, it was off to the studio to draft.
I stayed at the studio until about 6:30 pm. Longish first day. Tomorrow I will be at the theatre to discuss a concern with the DS portal - every day it's something to troubleshoot and make absolutely perfect - I love it.
More to come. . . now for dinner then, to bed.
He gave me a tour of the theatre and in no time I was off to rehearsal with Christine to rework a scenic piece - a desk. While we were discussing how to alter Mark's (character's name) desk, I was able to catch a staging rehearsal with Harry Connick Jr. What an absolute professional. Very kind. Very focused.
After about 1.5 hours at rehearsal where we were measuring a scenic wagon that had less than an inch of clearance between scenery, fire pocket, and lighting equipment. After that, I headed to the Equity office to sign my contract, then, it was off to the studio to draft.
I stayed at the studio until about 6:30 pm. Longish first day. Tomorrow I will be at the theatre to discuss a concern with the DS portal - every day it's something to troubleshoot and make absolutely perfect - I love it.
More to come. . . now for dinner then, to bed.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Day Before Day #1 - Part II
Wanted to update today's outing. Stopped by where I will be spending most of my time.
I also went to see Man and Boy - Derek McLane set, and Kevin Adams did the lighting. Was also happy to see an old (not in age) MUNY friend was the Production Stage Manager. Would have stopped to say hello Nevin Hedley, but needed to get some dinner!
Not much more to report other than, in a few hours I begin for real. This will be incredible.
I also went to see Man and Boy - Derek McLane set, and Kevin Adams did the lighting. Was also happy to see an old (not in age) MUNY friend was the Production Stage Manager. Would have stopped to say hello Nevin Hedley, but needed to get some dinner!
Not much more to report other than, in a few hours I begin for real. This will be incredible.
Day Before Day #1
I am attaching a photo of the beautiful sublet (Thank you Mr. Gross and thank you Ken Martin!!) If I had drawn a picture of the most perfect place to stay while on this adventure, it wouldn't have looked this beautiful.
I am staying in Washington Heights very close to a number of old friends - hopefully there will be many cups of coffee or dinner with them all. Spent the morning getting some groceries and finished unpacking. The gentleman I am subletting from is a conductor in the city and has worked with many of the most amazing musicals - Urinetown, Les Miserables, etc. We had dinner as a very nice little place close to my place last night and he shared a few great stories. He also had a friend from over seas with him who is here looking to get his "break" in the New York Theatre scene.
I will be meeting Christine and Ed (the Associate Designer) at 10:00 am tomorrow morning at the St. James Theatre - photos to come! We will be dealing with the first of, what I am guessing could be many, issues with a couple of scenic units.
I may head down to Times Square in a bit - yesterday there was a large demonstration for Occupy Wall Street that took over a good portion of TS - I wanna see what's happening today. Street theatre, you know!
I am staying in Washington Heights very close to a number of old friends - hopefully there will be many cups of coffee or dinner with them all. Spent the morning getting some groceries and finished unpacking. The gentleman I am subletting from is a conductor in the city and has worked with many of the most amazing musicals - Urinetown, Les Miserables, etc. We had dinner as a very nice little place close to my place last night and he shared a few great stories. He also had a friend from over seas with him who is here looking to get his "break" in the New York Theatre scene.
I will be meeting Christine and Ed (the Associate Designer) at 10:00 am tomorrow morning at the St. James Theatre - photos to come! We will be dealing with the first of, what I am guessing could be many, issues with a couple of scenic units.
I may head down to Times Square in a bit - yesterday there was a large demonstration for Occupy Wall Street that took over a good portion of TS - I wanna see what's happening today. Street theatre, you know!
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