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Aimee
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Joined: 8/31/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 156

Topic: the final curtain...
Posted: 3/15/07 at 3:33pm

Saturday night will be our last show/production in our current space..ever!
I can see the new space being built and I'm very excited about it...BUT
Wow the memories of this stage...if only the walls could talk....well maybe not. Shocked

Did I mention the current stage will be bulldozed in the next few weeks?
Just thinking back on all the shows it's held (good, bad, and the down right ugly) Of course we are all very anxious for the new space as it will be NEW and well NEW! (all new equipment, soft goods, seats, scene shop,etc)
Anyone else taken a trip down memory lane after the the last curtain call in a theater?

Aimee

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Topper
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Joined: 1/27/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 543

Posted: 3/15/07 at 4:33pm

Congratulations and Bon Voyage! I know the event will be bittersweet. The memories of past experiences versus the hopes and visions of a new future.

A theater I was involved with years ago had a similar situation and did something to turn it to their advantage.

They removed the theater seats and curtains before the wrecking crew arrived and sold them off. The public could bid (donate) money towards having an actual memento of the theater in their own home.

Seats were sold for anywhere from $25 - $50 depending on their condition and configuratoin (some had only one arm, some had two, and some were welded together as pairs). A large block of the better seats was bought by an out-of-town theater that was just starting out. Many individuals bought one or two theater seats to keep them in their TV rooms or basement rec rooms as conversation pieces (or sometimes actual seating -- if they're still in usuable condition).

The old, worn-out front curtain was cut into 1-foot squares and sold in pieces (like the Berlin Wall) for about $5.00 a pop. (I believe the teasers, tormentors and legs were salvaged and re-used -- a theater can never have too many of these versatile black curtains.)

Needless to say, this became a fantastic fund-raiser for the new theater, raising several thousands of dollars on stuff that would've just taken up space in a landfill somewhere.

And both long-time audience members and long-time volunteers got to take home a keepsake of a place for which they had fond memories.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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DWolfman
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Joined: 7/07/05
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Posted: 3/15/07 at 4:39pm

Thanks for the memories!

Just a little while ago, we moved into a state-of-art complex with tons of space, technical marvels, and an actual flyspace. The old tin roofed building that held decades of memories was converted into a community pottery shop and gutted to accommodate that.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the final cast and did take the occasion to sit onstage after all had left and "let the ghosts speak." Of course, I like to do that from time to time after a show or production anyway (especially as a director).

The final time in the old house was special though. I keep hoping enough of the "ghosts" have relocated to the new place, though, cuz they are certainly welcome.

Even a man who is pure of heart...

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Shatcher
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Joined: 2/21/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 251

Posted: 3/16/07 at 11:34am

One of the theatres I worked at closed down last month. In this theatre we had a gold chair that we used somehow in every show. if we couldn't find a place for it it was hung in the back of the house high up on the wall. We called it the ghost chair because we would often find it in places we did not put it. Anyway the chair went to another theatre. the new group now swears they have a ghost they did not have before. I think the theatre ghost go where the action is. Every good theatre has a ghost or two. All those actors who are long gone must still crave the spotlight. Maybe you can bring something from the old space to the new

Best of luck in the new space. Before you know it you will be asking yourself how you ever made the old one work so well.

DWolfman, I am a SM but I spend a few moments before and after each show letting the ghost speak to me. Helps me unwind and also conects me to the space.

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posts: 832

Posted: 2/10/08 at 3:07pm

This seems a likely topic to shove this article into;-

The Empty Spaces

Or, How Theater Failed America

by Mike Daisey

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=503829

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Aimee
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Joined: 8/31/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 156

Posted: 2/19/08 at 11:42pm

So funny this topic popped back up. Hard to beleive it's been almost a year!

We've been in the new space for about a week. It's been rough trying to learn all the new equipment, tech the kids how to use it and get ready for a show this weekend all with construction workers still running all over finishing up.

Still very exciting to be the first in the space and find out all it's quirks.

Aimee

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posts: 832

Posted: 2/20/08 at 2:34am

Did you manage to get a Pink Hardhat & the latest fashion steal cap boots?

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Aimee
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Joined: 8/31/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 156

Posted: 2/20/08 at 10:50pm

It would have matched too! Actually I would kind of like a pink hat, or purple. Still some ghosts in the system to work through, but fewer and fewer constuction workers each day.

Our carpet ended up being tacky 80's movie theater. (black with multi colored circles all over it.) Maybe I should take some good pics and post them for you all to see

So to recap, red (wine) walls, light green seats and well that carpet...oh yes and the Grand drape is a similar red as the walls. Somehow it comes together, still not sure how though...or maybe I've just already blocked it out in the rush to get ready for opening night Friday.

Aimee

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posts: 832

Posted: 2/20/08 at 11:12pm

Toi Toi Tpoi Choockas Aimee for Friday night & the season.

As long as you do 'Idiot Checks' before 'Beginers' & 'Rag warmers', you will have no problems!

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Other Topics
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Other Topics

Author	Message
Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Topic: the final curtain... Posted: 3/15/07 at 3:33pm
	Saturday night will be our last show/production in our current space..ever! I can see the new space being built and I'm very excited about it...BUT Wow the memories of this stage...if only the walls could talk....well maybe not. Did I mention the current stage will be bulldozed in the next few weeks? Just thinking back on all the shows it's held (good, bad, and the down right ugly) Of course we are all very anxious for the new space as it will be NEW and well NEW! (all new equipment, soft goods, seats, scene shop,etc) Anyone else taken a trip down memory lane after the the last curtain call in a theater?
	Aimee

	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 3/15/07 at 4:33pm
	Congratulations and Bon Voyage! I know the event will be bittersweet. The memories of past experiences versus the hopes and visions of a new future. A theater I was involved with years ago had a similar situation and did something to turn it to their advantage. They removed the theater seats and curtains before the wrecking crew arrived and sold them off. The public could bid (donate) money towards having an actual memento of the theater in their own home. Seats were sold for anywhere from $25 - $50 depending on their condition and configuratoin (some had only one arm, some had two, and some were welded together as pairs). A large block of the better seats was bought by an out-of-town theater that was just starting out. Many individuals bought one or two theater seats to keep them in their TV rooms or basement rec rooms as conversation pieces (or sometimes actual seating -- if they're still in usuable condition). The old, worn-out front curtain was cut into 1-foot squares and sold in pieces (like the Berlin Wall) for about $5.00 a pop. (I believe the teasers, tormentors and legs were salvaged and re-used -- a theater can never have too many of these versatile black curtains.) Needless to say, this became a fantastic fund-raiser for the new theater, raising several thousands of dollars on stuff that would've just taken up space in a landfill somewhere. And both long-time audience members and long-time volunteers got to take home a keepsake of a place for which they had fond memories.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

DWolfman Celebrity Joined: 7/07/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 134	Posted: 3/15/07 at 4:39pm
	Thanks for the memories! Just a little while ago, we moved into a state-of-art complex with tons of space, technical marvels, and an actual flyspace. The old tin roofed building that held decades of memories was converted into a community pottery shop and gutted to accommodate that. I was fortunate enough to be part of the final cast and did take the occasion to sit onstage after all had left and "let the ghosts speak." Of course, I like to do that from time to time after a show or production anyway (especially as a director). The final time in the old house was special though. I keep hoping enough of the "ghosts" have relocated to the new place, though, cuz they are certainly welcome.
	Even a man who is pure of heart...
	IP Logged

Shatcher Celebrity Joined: 2/21/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 251	Posted: 3/16/07 at 11:34am
	One of the theatres I worked at closed down last month. In this theatre we had a gold chair that we used somehow in every show. if we couldn't find a place for it it was hung in the back of the house high up on the wall. We called it the ghost chair because we would often find it in places we did not put it. Anyway the chair went to another theatre. the new group now swears they have a ghost they did not have before. I think the theatre ghost go where the action is. Every good theatre has a ghost or two. All those actors who are long gone must still crave the spotlight. Maybe you can bring something from the old space to the new Best of luck in the new space. Before you know it you will be asking yourself how you ever made the old one work so well. DWolfman, I am a SM but I spend a few moments before and after each show letting the ghost speak to me. Helps me unwind and also conects me to the space.
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 2/10/08 at 3:07pm
	This seems a likely topic to shove this article into;- The Empty Spaces Or, How Theater Failed America by Mike Daisey http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=503829
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Posted: 2/19/08 at 11:42pm
	So funny this topic popped back up. Hard to beleive it's been almost a year! We've been in the new space for about a week. It's been rough trying to learn all the new equipment, tech the kids how to use it and get ready for a show this weekend all with construction workers still running all over finishing up. Still very exciting to be the first in the space and find out all it's quirks.
	Aimee
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 2/20/08 at 2:34am
	Did you manage to get a Pink Hardhat & the latest fashion steal cap boots?
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Posted: 2/20/08 at 10:50pm
	It would have matched too! Actually I would kind of like a pink hat, or purple. Still some ghosts in the system to work through, but fewer and fewer constuction workers each day. Our carpet ended up being tacky 80's movie theater. (black with multi colored circles all over it.) Maybe I should take some good pics and post them for you all to see So to recap, red (wine) walls, light green seats and well that carpet...oh yes and the Grand drape is a similar red as the walls. Somehow it comes together, still not sure how though...or maybe I've just already blocked it out in the rush to get ready for opening night Friday.
	Aimee
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 2/20/08 at 11:12pm
	Toi Toi Tpoi Choockas Aimee for Friday night & the season. As long as you do 'Idiot Checks' before 'Beginers' & 'Rag warmers', you will have no problems!
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Topic: the final curtain...( Topic Closed)