I was a runner, stage manager, prop master, and set builder. It was interesting the types of people off stage roles would attract. I was a person who had some performing talent but horrible stage fright and very little desire for the spotlight, so ultimately I found my place behind the scenes.
Oh, totally. I wish all actors knew something technical. I mean, even working the curtains LOL. But lights are really cool. We had a guy named PJ and later Chris who did all the light stuff. It was great seeing them at work. I was also a musician who got roped into doing accompaniment, but it turns out I didn’t get along with other musicians so that was out. I was much better or organizing things and people and making sure things were done at certain times… and that translates well to being a mother of 5 high maintenance children and a wife to a highly disorganized husband.
I once worked light board for a beautiful play called ‘3 Poets’ in college (for practicum credit), and read LOTR again during that run, in that booth. But it was a black box, and so we had to have the light booth blocked off with black curtains as to not mess with the aesthetic. I relied solely on the stage manager telling me what cues needed to happen when. And there was one effect: a lightning strike with some thunderbolt sounds, that I just had to tap a button for, blind. That was one of my most dear memories of forced tech work. That was lovely.
As a former techie, I LOVED this post! Thank you for the appreciation ❤️
Total respect!
I was a runner, stage manager, prop master, and set builder. It was interesting the types of people off stage roles would attract. I was a person who had some performing talent but horrible stage fright and very little desire for the spotlight, so ultimately I found my place behind the scenes.
Fantastic! It’s good work, right? I pride myself in knowing how to find my light, as it’s a running joke no other actor knows how to do. lol
Oh, totally. I wish all actors knew something technical. I mean, even working the curtains LOL. But lights are really cool. We had a guy named PJ and later Chris who did all the light stuff. It was great seeing them at work. I was also a musician who got roped into doing accompaniment, but it turns out I didn’t get along with other musicians so that was out. I was much better or organizing things and people and making sure things were done at certain times… and that translates well to being a mother of 5 high maintenance children and a wife to a highly disorganized husband.
I once worked light board for a beautiful play called ‘3 Poets’ in college (for practicum credit), and read LOTR again during that run, in that booth. But it was a black box, and so we had to have the light booth blocked off with black curtains as to not mess with the aesthetic. I relied solely on the stage manager telling me what cues needed to happen when. And there was one effect: a lightning strike with some thunderbolt sounds, that I just had to tap a button for, blind. That was one of my most dear memories of forced tech work. That was lovely.
That sounds awesome!