Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: new space...

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Aimee
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Joined: 8/31/04
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Topic: new space...
Posted: 12/12/06 at 9:03pm

I guess I'll give a little back round before getting to my question/concerns.

I work as Technical Director in a small high school, and we are in the process of having an auditorium built.

Initially it was to be done next fall (07). Now, we've been told to hold off for our first show there until Feb 08. Ok good plan, since it seems construction is behind schedule.

Our current stage, can barely be called a stage. I don't think any of our equipment is more current the 1960's. Our "light board" belongs in a museum it's so old...has what I call frankenstein dimmers. (all 15 of them)

So, what is going to happen is, we will be moving into a space with ALL new equipment, much larger space and little to no experience on how to use it. I know, as TD I will need to teach the kids how to use all the new equipment, which is fine, I have that knowledge.....

what I don't have is the knowledge of HOW to build/design a set to, well, fill that much larger space. The director informed me she really wants to do NOISES OFF for our first show in there. I know this is an abitious set, then consider the fact I need to learn how to adjust to the space I will now have...

anyone have any suggestions of good first shows, ideas on how I change my thought process for designing not only the set, but the lighting too.

Can you tell I'm starting to freak out a bit not a lot, but it's there, just brewing ....help

Thanks

Aimee

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TimW
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Joined: 8/10/06
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Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:11am

Think of it as excited stress instead of freaking out a bit. I did Noises Off on a stage about 34' wide x 21' deep. It was crowded, but we did it. A couple of ideas about stage size; 1) on smaller sets, try pulling the legs more onstage or build black masking flats to make the stage not as wide and 2) instead of putting doors and windows close together (which we all are good at) put more wall space in, this way you can use more decorations to set the atmosphere. Also try more 3 dimentional wall designs for depth. As far as lighting, the biggest difference I see is now you have the ability to add more light than you might already do and inhance areas of the set. Hope this will help calm the nerves.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 12/13/06 at 8:09am

That’s great Aimee!
It will be more workable than your Gymeatre or Theatorium you have been working in.
Undoubtably there will be an architects plan drawings & supply specifications for the project. Get a copies of the building plans & specs. Hopefully before it goes to tender.
This is a good time to add your wish list of equipment & the logistics of the total plan.
I would assume there has been consultation with theatre & lighting designers prior to the conceptual design coming into being & giving a basis for budgeting.
A plan &/or a computer model will help you greatly, with your empirical knowledge, to draw up sight lines & lighting.
If you can get passed the architects ego & unworkable aesthetics. By consultation & attempt you get some of your wish list in as well all the better.
Such as installed infrastructure such as a talk back system, dip traps with patch points & any thing else to make the space workable.
See if there is a fly system or masking is dead hung. As Tim suggested your space should be able to be flexible with use of moveable Legs, Boarders, Teasers & tormentor.
As you have worked in larger venues, with plans or model in hand, you are set to design up a standard 3 or 4 colour wash with specials to suit & preliminary sets. This will also help in getting a handle on the logistics & to suggest changes on what won’t work or whatever.
Try and become an integral part of the planning process, which will give you the opportunity to check out the equipment & look out for better developments & suggestions from the suppliers on the use of the gear. They are always good for a few T shirts for you & the crew - at least!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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red diva
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Joined: 5/15/06
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Posts: 199

Posted: 12/13/06 at 4:16pm

Wow! Is there any way that you can talk your director out of doing "Noises Off"? It's a VERY difficult show, and really should only be attempted by very experienced and seasoned theatre groups.....and even then only after a lot of thought and with great trepidation. It isn't really a good choice for a "first show": the dialogue is very tricky, the timing needs to be exquisite, and (if you decide to do it in British dialects) the accents need to be spot on. If done well, it is absolutely hysterical; if not done well, it can be excruciating.

On the tech end, the set is as difficult as the show. Changing quickly from on stage to back stage and having doors and windows that will be guaranteed to function in synch with the rapid blocking and business......ouch.

I speak from experience on this subject.....I had to live with my husband's groaning while he was performing in this show in summer stock two years ago, with a very seasoned and mature cast and a great tech staff.....yes, an experienced, paid tech staff made up of newbies and professionals - lots of them. If you have lots of experienced tech people available to you, it will certainly make your job a lot easier, but I would be hesitant to take on this show if I didn't.

I'm not being a nay-sayer, but I'm just suggesting that you and your director really sit down and discuss the needs of the show before committing to it.
Maybe some others on the Board have had different experiences with "Noises Off" and can be more encouraging.

"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"

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falstaff29
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Posted: 12/13/06 at 9:47pm

I love Noises Off, but I agree, it seems really complicated to do. I'm a fairly experienced director, and I wouldn't touch it. I might even venture to say it's one of those shows that's better on the page than in performance.

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Aimee
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Joined: 8/31/04
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Posts: 156

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:04pm

Thanks so much for your input.

I have been on the planning commitee for the auditorium and thank goodness for it. I am the only one in the group that has actually been concerned with pesky things like equipment, storage, wing space, etc. We won't have a fly system, but are getting a "track system" I think. Anyone know how well the new ones work? We will (I hope) get some motorized drops (like the electrics) but everything else will be on trakcs...which I hate, as we have an old track system now. It's been awhile since our last meeting so I do not know what the final plans were.

The most unfortunate thing about this whole thing, is I have no say at all. I am never consulted about possibilites or concerns for shows. I am told "I am thinking of doing "X" show" Next thing I know is it is ordered and we ARE doing it.

I' ve told her I think it would be too soon to attempt that show (if we ever did it) Past experience with this director tells me it would be nightmarish to say the very least.

Still, I am both excited about having the new space, and "nervous" about it too.

Always nice to bounce ideas or thoughts off others to get a better view on things.

Aimee

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Joan54
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Joined: 10/03/05
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Posted: 12/15/06 at 8:49am

You are the Technical Director and "they" don't let you have any input on the play selection? That sounds wrong. You say that you work for a small high school so I would imagine that you would all have meetings and decide the theater "season" together. How did the other director get all of the power? Maybe the new auditorium is also the time to update some of your decision making rules.....a more professional space and a more professional attitude? I agree with the other people who posted.....Noises Off is not a play that should be attempted by children in a new space. Maybe in a few years when you have all settled in and worked the bumps out and you see an exceptional group of young actors moving through the grades....good luck no matter what happens....enjoy the new space.

"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"

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Author	Message
Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Topic: new space... Posted: 12/12/06 at 9:03pm
	I guess I'll give a little back round before getting to my question/concerns. I work as Technical Director in a small high school, and we are in the process of having an auditorium built. Initially it was to be done next fall (07). Now, we've been told to hold off for our first show there until Feb 08. Ok good plan, since it seems construction is behind schedule. Our current stage, can barely be called a stage. I don't think any of our equipment is more current the 1960's. Our "light board" belongs in a museum it's so old...has what I call frankenstein dimmers. (all 15 of them) So, what is going to happen is, we will be moving into a space with ALL new equipment, much larger space and little to no experience on how to use it. I know, as TD I will need to teach the kids how to use all the new equipment, which is fine, I have that knowledge..... what I don't have is the knowledge of HOW to build/design a set to, well, fill that much larger space. The director informed me she really wants to do NOISES OFF for our first show in there. I know this is an abitious set, then consider the fact I need to learn how to adjust to the space I will now have... anyone have any suggestions of good first shows, ideas on how I change my thought process for designing not only the set, but the lighting too. Can you tell I'm starting to freak out a bit not a lot, but it's there, just brewing ....help Thanks
	Aimee

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TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:11am
	Think of it as excited stress instead of freaking out a bit. I did Noises Off on a stage about 34' wide x 21' deep. It was crowded, but we did it. A couple of ideas about stage size; 1) on smaller sets, try pulling the legs more onstage or build black masking flats to make the stage not as wide and 2) instead of putting doors and windows close together (which we all are good at) put more wall space in, this way you can use more decorations to set the atmosphere. Also try more 3 dimentional wall designs for depth. As far as lighting, the biggest difference I see is now you have the ability to add more light than you might already do and inhance areas of the set. Hope this will help calm the nerves.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 12/13/06 at 8:09am
	That’s great Aimee! It will be more workable than your Gymeatre or Theatorium you have been working in. Undoubtably there will be an architects plan drawings & supply specifications for the project. Get a copies of the building plans & specs. Hopefully before it goes to tender. This is a good time to add your wish list of equipment & the logistics of the total plan. I would assume there has been consultation with theatre & lighting designers prior to the conceptual design coming into being & giving a basis for budgeting. A plan &/or a computer model will help you greatly, with your empirical knowledge, to draw up sight lines & lighting. If you can get passed the architects ego & unworkable aesthetics. By consultation & attempt you get some of your wish list in as well all the better. Such as installed infrastructure such as a talk back system, dip traps with patch points & any thing else to make the space workable. See if there is a fly system or masking is dead hung. As Tim suggested your space should be able to be flexible with use of moveable Legs, Boarders, Teasers & tormentor. As you have worked in larger venues, with plans or model in hand, you are set to design up a standard 3 or 4 colour wash with specials to suit & preliminary sets. This will also help in getting a handle on the logistics & to suggest changes on what won’t work or whatever. Try and become an integral part of the planning process, which will give you the opportunity to check out the equipment & look out for better developments & suggestions from the suppliers on the use of the gear. They are always good for a few T shirts for you & the crew - at least!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

red diva Celebrity Joined: 5/15/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 199	Posted: 12/13/06 at 4:16pm
	Wow! Is there any way that you can talk your director out of doing "Noises Off"? It's a VERY difficult show, and really should only be attempted by very experienced and seasoned theatre groups.....and even then only after a lot of thought and with great trepidation. It isn't really a good choice for a "first show": the dialogue is very tricky, the timing needs to be exquisite, and (if you decide to do it in British dialects) the accents need to be spot on. If done well, it is absolutely hysterical; if not done well, it can be excruciating. On the tech end, the set is as difficult as the show. Changing quickly from on stage to back stage and having doors and windows that will be guaranteed to function in synch with the rapid blocking and business......ouch. I speak from experience on this subject.....I had to live with my husband's groaning while he was performing in this show in summer stock two years ago, with a very seasoned and mature cast and a great tech staff.....yes, an experienced, paid tech staff made up of newbies and professionals - lots of them. If you have lots of experienced tech people available to you, it will certainly make your job a lot easier, but I would be hesitant to take on this show if I didn't. I'm not being a nay-sayer, but I'm just suggesting that you and your director really sit down and discuss the needs of the show before committing to it. Maybe some others on the Board have had different experiences with "Noises Off" and can be more encouraging.
	"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"
	IP Logged

falstaff29 Celebrity Joined: 9/17/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Posted: 12/13/06 at 9:47pm
	I love Noises Off, but I agree, it seems really complicated to do. I'm a fairly experienced director, and I wouldn't touch it. I might even venture to say it's one of those shows that's better on the page than in performance.
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Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:04pm
	Thanks so much for your input. I have been on the planning commitee for the auditorium and thank goodness for it. I am the only one in the group that has actually been concerned with pesky things like equipment, storage, wing space, etc. We won't have a fly system, but are getting a "track system" I think. Anyone know how well the new ones work? We will (I hope) get some motorized drops (like the electrics) but everything else will be on trakcs...which I hate, as we have an old track system now. It's been awhile since our last meeting so I do not know what the final plans were. The most unfortunate thing about this whole thing, is I have no say at all. I am never consulted about possibilites or concerns for shows. I am told "I am thinking of doing "X" show" Next thing I know is it is ordered and we ARE doing it. I' ve told her I think it would be too soon to attempt that show (if we ever did it) Past experience with this director tells me it would be nightmarish to say the very least. Still, I am both excited about having the new space, and "nervous" about it too. Always nice to bounce ideas or thoughts off others to get a better view on things.
	Aimee
	IP Logged

Joan54 Celebrity Joined: 10/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Posted: 12/15/06 at 8:49am
	You are the Technical Director and "they" don't let you have any input on the play selection? That sounds wrong. You say that you work for a small high school so I would imagine that you would all have meetings and decide the theater "season" together. How did the other director get all of the power? Maybe the new auditorium is also the time to update some of your decision making rules.....a more professional space and a more professional attitude? I agree with the other people who posted.....Noises Off is not a play that should be attempted by children in a new space. Maybe in a few years when you have all settled in and worked the bumps out and you see an exceptional group of young actors moving through the grades....good luck no matter what happens....enjoy the new space.
	"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"
	IP Logged

Topic: new space...( Topic Closed)