Monday, May 28, 2012

And so it begins...

I made it!!! When I was at my roommate's house in Ohio, I was able to go to the library and copy the last cd of my audiobook (oops!) so on my drive, I finished the book Bloody Jack: Being an account of the curious adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by LA Meyer, and started the sequel! After making a couple of wrong turns, I found my way to Millbrook Playhouse and met up with the Artistic Director, Cathy. She gave me a tour of the building, showed me my desk (I have a desk!!! see pics) and the props areas. They don't have a ton, but they do have some very unique pieces; specifically a 1930s camera and cash register (both of which we need)!! I met the Company Manager, Lindsay, and the Theater Intern, Stacie, and the Scenic Designer, Matt, and we all went out to dinner. It was great to start introductions in an informal setting.

I miss Taylor Theater though.. I'm familiar with the designers and know how they think and know how to converse with them. At dinner, Matt mentioned building a bus for one of the shows and I said it was easy, just use a sheet of OSB, cut windows and paint it (essentially 2D) and he very....emphatically... said NO, he doesn't design that way. It's the real thing or not at all. It wasn't really discussed after that since Lindsay said no theater talk at dinner =p It sorta set up a defensive wall inside me though so now I'm sorta nervous to work with him and we'll be working together A LOT. *breathe* Cathy found a folder of prop forms from previous years of places/people they borrowed from!! I also made a list of thrift stores and antique stores within a 25 miles radius. I'll have a few days to get settled and look around town so I'll check em out.

Cathy's office is the only room with legit air conditioning so I'm sure I'll be hanging out in there a lot. Also, the theater dog Spot hangs out in there too =) I also have a feeling that I'll be taking showers more frequently than normal. I haven't seen my house yet. I thought we were living in the dorms but apparently it's campus housing. We're calling it the "Tech House" cause most of the tech crew will live there. And I have no roommate!! YAY. Not sure why I can work well with others but not live well with them =/ oh well.

I'm sure there will be posts when I vent, but I'm going to try really hard not to gossip. So if it ever seems gossipy, PLEASE let me know!

Challenges right off the top:

  • communicating with Matt
  • limited scene shop tools
  • not picking up swearing again

3 comments:

  1. Where are the pictures? Maybe I just need to go on the computer instead of my phone?

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  2. Pictures are on my Flickr fees to the left of the blog. I think you can only see them on the computer, not the phone =\ if it's easier, I can just post them in the blog

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  3. tips :
    - just keep your cool. designers are very particular, and as long as you indicate that you are not trying to oppose them, it will help the flow
    - be open to his ideas. try and notice his trends of design - if he says realistic, start thinking realistic.
    - hold real conversations, not at dinner but outside of work time, about his designs in general. why does he like realistic? how has he done things in the past? show genuine interest and desire to work with him. then, if you find yourself making a suggestion, also do it outside of work time (obv not at dinner either) and start with the reasonings. ex: i notice we're coming up on a deadline for having the setting and props done. i know we want to make things are realistic as possible, but are there any pieces that can be compromised on without losing the integrity of the show?

    so excited for you! love you!

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