Behind the Scenes...Getting Ready for the Road!

Last night's Company Meeting and Run Thru was the first of many gatherings with our entire cast and crew.  Mr. Steiner and Mr. Jump briefed the group on the details of our trip, including the logistics of loading the show up at FC, unloading and setting up in Nebraska, and reloading the trucks after our performances there.  With two semis, over 2000 light bulbs, massive set pieces, tons of costumes, a transportable stage floor, lighting equipment, sound equipment, musical instruments and more...it is a lot to keep track of!  Thank goodness for spreadsheets!  The cast, crew, and parents learned about their individual roles in the load out/in process.  

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Because not all of our original tech students can make it to Nebraska, we have some dedicated parent volunteer stepping in backstage to help with quick changes and scenery movement.  Most actors in 42ND STREET have multiple quick changes so nearly every performer has a dresser backstage to help them change from one costume to another.  Our new parent volunteers learned the ropes at our rehearsal yesterday.  Great job, everyone!

It takes lots of organizational meetings to get everyone on the same page and to ensure a smooth production, whether at home or on the road.  Our leading tech managers always have a "paper tech" meeting before every production begins dress rehearsals to ensure that everyone knows exactly how all of the technical elements will work together during  a show.  This includes the set, lighting, sound, costumes, and sometimes even special effects.  Here are a few photos from our 42ND STREET Paper Tech meeting:

In order to perform the many tap numbers in 42ND STREET at the Lied Center in Nebraska, we have to bring our own floor.  The floor at the Lied is too soft to handle tap dancing so our crew whipped up a transportable stage floor that we will take with us.  Thanks to our painters for their hard work!