Crunch Time

Show Stoppin' opens on Friday so we've started doing run thrus all day every day to get ready. The "stage manager" for the Grand Music Hall (where I work) isn't a stage manager in the normal sense-- she is in charge of the technicians and performers, but does not calls cues during the show. Instead each position is given cue sheets that we run off of on our own and get notes at the end of the night for any mistakes.

This is a shot of the stage from last year's show. The set is the same but we have been wiring a new sign that will be up during the preshow.

I really appreciate the supervisors I'm working with in this job-- they have very high standards for us and expect flawless shows each time, but aren't overly harsh about mistakes unless they have to give a note repeatedly. It's intimidating knowing that once we open mistakes are unacceptable, but it really pushes us to do the best job we possibly can.

The show itself is also more fun than I originally expected (there's a really cute duet version of "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz and a motown bit with the remake of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder and "Mercy" by Duffy). It runs around 30 minutes and is free to park guests. We will be doing four shows each day, seven days a week (each position has a swing to cover our two days off). In another week we will begin night parade rehearsals and I will end each day with that, making my days full, busy and fun!

We finished wiring this part of the new Show Stoppin' sign tonight. We'll add the letter facing and hang it tomorrow morning.

I feel like I'm learning a lot about working on a show that runs like a machine-- cleanly executed for the entire run. I remember my stage manager last summer, Christi, explaining to me how there is something very exciting about a reliable, efficient show that promises the best possible performance for every audience member whether it is the tenth or the hundreth show and it's really true. While I don't think it is always realistic, there's something reassuring and satisfying about a solid, consistent product for an extended run (I should point out that I'm referring to the tech side of things.... if we're talking about acting I certainly think that there is room for discoveries and growth once a show opens).

On a side note, today was an employee appreciation day so we had free food and karaoke at the Picnic Grove. It's a damn good time when the entertainment department has karaoke during their lunch break since the performers' job is essentially large-scale karaoke :)

Anyhow, I'm still having a really great time outside of work as well. We grill out about once a week at the housing complex and I've been going into Chicago to see various friends on my days off. Next week I'm going down to Ravinnia, a spot just north of the city that hosts huge outdoor concerts, nothing sounds better right now than a lawn chairs, good music and friends on a beautiful summer night.

More to come once the show opens!