Moreau at RedWood Hall

Just got word from the State’s coordinator today that “The Island of Dr. Moreau” will be playing in RedWood Hall on Friday the 19th of March at Ashland University. We were originally hoping to get the Hugo Young, a proscenium stage, but they typically reserve that space for the musicals, which we are not.

Thanks to Ashland University for the Picture

I got sent the Tech Packet, if you could call it that, today as well. Unfortunately, the packet did not include a lighting plot, circuit schedule, or a ground plan. It was just a word document with approximate stage dimensions and seating capabilities. The lighting “section” of the document simply stated that “Area Lighting and Warm and Cool Washes Will Be Provided”. Not a whole lot of help there, and all front light is almost the exact opposite of what my original design was.

I’ll hopefully be able to bring in some trees and some of our own fixtures to supplement their rep, but I need to check with the TD there to see if that’s a possibility. Like I said earlier, no circuit schedule or data was provided either, so that also could limit how many fixtures I can bring in, if any. Also, there were some cool aerial effects from the original show that I would like to incorporate in, but again, that depends on fixtures we can bring and if they will allow a hazer. I hope I remember to ask all of these questions! Luckily, a sound system will be provided so we don’t have to worry about dragging my PA there. However, no COM system is provided, which means we will have to bring our own in and set that up as quickly as possible. Did I mention we only have one hour for load-in and load-out? As the set goes, I have no idea what’s happening. The director is still in the process of figuring out what we can and cannot bring, and how we will construct once it’s there. I’ll keep you posted on how that turns out.

But now onto the positive side of things, we’re performing a full length show at State Conference! We’ve taken scenes from shows and musical numbers before, but never an entire show, so it will be an exciting experience for all of us. Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to these technical challenges, because without issues and roadblocks, it wouldn’t be nearly as fun!

In the next few days I’ll add a show diary page where I’ll chronicle the prep, show, and de-prep (is that a real thing?) for “The Island of Dr. Moreau” Goes To States.

Thanks for reading!

~Sam T

State Conference Here We Come!

After waiting anxiously for days to hear if we would be taking a segment of ‘This Island of Dr. Moreau’ to State Conference, we finally got word. Not only will we be taking the show, but we’re taking the entire full-length version! This is more than I expected and am extremely excited!

Image courtesy of OHEDTA.org

Now comes the interesting part. The only information we have received thus far is that our space will be either a 400 or 750 seat venue, and to check the handbook for load in/out procedures. We have NO idea how big of a space, the dimensions, the lighting and sound rig, the hanging (fly system) plot, or how much load in/out time we have. At the moment, it’s all up in the air, and a bit stressful. I don’t know if I’ll be able to hang the same lighting plot as the original show or not. I also don’t know if we can bring our own equipment, or if I’ll be stuck with 8 N/C pars and an 8 Channel 2-Scene Preset board to work with. Either way though, I’m going to make it the best show that I can.

I can barely contain my excitement, but I’ll do some more research and post the tech specs of our States Performance space as soon as I found out more.

Check out ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau Pics’ post here to see pics from the original show.

Thanks for reading!

~Sam T.

Pics from ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’

And now…the moment you’ve all been waiting for….PHOTO CALL PICTURES!!!

Be sure to check out the other Moreau post after this one!

Due to the way I had to upload them, some shots may be repeats. I only included the shots that I thought were the best, of that everyone would find interesting. If you want a picture that I don’t have posted, send me an email or leave me a comment and I’ll see if I have it laying around somewhere. Also, if you want a larger version of any image here, please leave a comment or email me and I’ll send one to you. You can click the individual pictures to see larger versions of them also.  Feel free to use these pictures for whatever purpose you see fit. Just please, if posted on the internet please credit my name or this site somewhere in the caption. Thanks!

The Island Of Dr. Moreau

Last weekend my school closed the high school premiere of “The Island of Dr. Moreau” by HG Wells, and adapted for the stage by Tira Palmquist. The summary can be found here.

When I first heard we would be doing this show over a year ago, I was skeptical. Half beast, half human creatures weren’t really my cup of tea. Don’t get my wrong, I do enjoy a good sci-fi story, but this one just didn’t hit home with me. I had put it out of my mind until the first rehearsals had started. I sat in on one, expecting it to drag on and be another cheesy monster tale. But boy was I wrong.

Even though it was only a rehearsal, with no set, no lighting, and not even complete blocking, I was amazed. There was something about the story and the way it was being portrayed that kept drawing you in, yet made you feel uneasy and on the edge of your seat. That was a feeling that I had never felt before, and I loved it. The story is frightening, but in an odd way, has a humane and sentimental feeling to it. I think it was those polar opposite ideas that made this show so appealing to me.

Even as rehearsal was going, my mind was flooded with ideas for how I would light this show. I started sketching and planning my looks even before rehearsal completely finished. After rehearsal, I went home and stayed up all night sketching, doodling, brainstorming ideas, and plotting the rig. I can’t remember another show that had ever gotten me this excited. Other shows had  definitely excited me, but not on this level.

Fast forward through the production meetings, hang, focus, tech week, and the first two performances. That brings us to closing night. The final show still had that same amazing feeling brought to the stage by the phenomenal cast led by two irreplaceable directors. The energy was on the same level, if not higher, than that spectacular rehearsal that I had watched a few weeks back. Even though I had seen the full show multiple times, I still got the same chills and feelings as I did when I watched my first rehearsal. After the curtain call had ended and I was bringing up the house lights, something stuck me. That show epitomized why I do technical theater and why I love it so much. It’s that feeling of satisfaction that stays with you, even after the strike, knowing that you were a part of something much bigger and greater than yourself. Something that will go down in my own personal history, and In my view, the history of our school’s performing arts program.

So now it’s a week later. I’ve come off my show-week high and have entered the post-show depression phase. The set is gone, the lights have been removed, the stage repainted, and props put back in there place. Techs and actors alike have moved on to the current show, and possibly planning the future shows. The persona of Moreau seems to have fled to someplace just out of reach. But don’t let that get you down. To the cast and crew of “The Island of Dr. Moreau”:

Remember what we did and what we accomplished. Remember the wonderful experience we went through and what lessons we all have learned because of it. We closed a show that will live in infamy, as far as I’m concerned, forever. Together as a whole, we made something that I, and hopefully you, won’t EVER forget. For me at least, this will always be the memory that reminds me of why I do what I do.

I thank all of the cast and crew for giving me an experience of a lifetime. And one that I will treasure forever.

I guess there’s only one last thing to say…ARE WE NOT MEN?

P.S. Who’s ready to do it all again at States?

Apple iPad

At 1pm EST today, Apple released its newest creation. There have been rumors for the last 10 years about an Tablet computer. And today, that rumor has finally been confirmed!

Introducing the Apple iPad (yes, that’s the real name).

Image from Endgadget.com

Since it just debuted today, the tech specs of it are difficult to find, and the ones at Apple’s site don’t give me everything I want to know. What I can gather is:

• Runs on an OS ‘similar’ to the iPhone (iPhone OS 3.2 UNCONFIRMED)
• Still NO FLASH
• 9.7 inch display
• 16,32, or 64 GB flash memory capacity
• 1GHz Apple A4 processor
• WiFi and 3G (AT&T) models available
• Internal 25Whr rechargeable battery.
• The price range can run from $499 to $829 depending on size and features

More specs can be found here: http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

To me, it just seems like a bigger iPod Touch, but that’s not to say that I don’t want one! A major part of the reveal, covered well here, seems to be its ability to read newspapers and books like the real thing. There has been a lot off buzz over how and if the iPad could put products like the Kindle and the like out of the running. But only time will tell.

Something that kind of turns me away from it, is the fact that it still lacks Flash. I’m curious as to why Apple didn’t include this feature, as the iPad seems to be able to do everything else under the sun. From what I can gather, it will run the same apps the iPhone and the iPod touch can run now. There are also 3G data plans ranging from $14.99/month to $29.99/month, but it’s confusing on who the carrier is exactly. I’ll do some more research and update once I find out.

That’s all I have for now. I’m still learning more and researching as I’m typing this. I’ll update this article, or create another with more information once I can get my hands on and confirm it.

Thanks for reading!!

~Sam T

Sources:

http://www.engadget.com/

http://www.apple.com/

First Post

After failing at keeping my old blog up to date. I decided to start anew with a new site and a new blog. I’ll try to update at least once a day with things of interest to me, and hopefully to you. I’ll post things related to my technical theater experiences, interesting products coming out, and other nerdy things that spark my interest. Make sure to follow me on twitter with the button on the right side of the page!

Thanks

~Sam