[SML] Small touring Christmas carol

[Chip Wood]

Joe, first off, let me congratulate the group, we never reached "pro 
level".  But we would be re-booked even tho we hadn't picked the next 
show yet.  We toured the same places (lots of "assisted care" places in 
AZ), but give vet hospitals and re-habs a try.  Those guys and gals will 
put a lump the size of a football in your throat.

The in was from 30 to 90 min because as on any tour each venue was a 
newly "found" space.  And EVERY venue had it's own peculiarities (think 
about getting stuff into small elevators) and honchos (sometimes several 
that did not often compliment the others) who added to the time w/ lots 
of "Helpful" suggestions. Out was  max 30 min depending on the 
enthusiasm of the crew-actors and me and how accessible was the SUV.

I found that 3 free-standing tri-fold 5'x7' masking flats helped a lot 
to make any space theater like, but needed heavy weights to keep from 
tipping.  I used thrift store body weight belts. Hanging small 
ornamentation on the tri-folds for various scenes changed the setting 
very quickly.  I even used an ordinary step ladder for the party, 
balcony, and fencing  scenes in R&J just by hanging different stuff on 
it.  A large heavy-duty prop box (think "Fantastics") was used on-stage 
in the 1st show and became kind of a go-to for every show.  It was used 
for prop and costume storage, bed, mountain, pyre, bench, almost 
anything.  Lighting flexibility was almost non-existent.  We considered 
it a plus if they could be turned off and on and provided adequate 
lighting on the actors faces. I was the TD and sound op and kept busy as 
off-stage narrator and quick bits onstage.  We kept it to 45 min max w/ 
my wife (Artistic Dir) writing adaptions of out of copyright material.  
I added the projection only on the last show, but it really seemed to 
add something as crude as it was.  Give 'em the ol' razzle-dazzle!

NEVER allow the venue to serve food during the show.  Many of the diners 
will have LOUD complaints to the dining staff.  A plan that worked was 
dinner (while we were entertaining them setting up)from 5-6 depending on 
their routine, the 1 hour max show, and then dessert while we broke it 
down.  They usually didn't fall asleep and got to bed early.  We did 
matinees too, but they never came off as well as early evenings.

Oh, have the actors mingle w/the audience after the show, they love that 
and will tell them about a great-grandson  that had the lead in the HS 
play or their amateur nights in the service or (both actual) they won a 
supporting Tony or was a Rockette 60 years ago.

No pics during shows, we were all too busy.

Chip 1

On 9/8/2015 6:59 PM, Joe D wrote:
> I recently had a conversation with the director of "Servant Stage" a volunteer company, at a professional level, with the goal of taking theater to non-traditional places to people who can't afford regular theater. They do a lot of nursing homes, and similar venues.   Since they may do 60 performances of a particular show, sometimes 2 or 3 in one day, quick set-up and down is critical.  Projection would seem to be a good way to change the scenery, provided you have the space to do it.
>
> So far, they have not used any special lighting, but I am trying to convince them to add at least a little.  Especailly, since they go to non-traditional venues where the audience is often stuck in the same facility for long periods.  I think that anything we can do to transport them to another imaginary place will be of great value to them.
>
> Would you care to share more about the show you mentioned on the stagecraft list? How long to set-up, tear down?  Any pictures?
>