The false proscenium was installed last weekend. What a relief. It took 2 days and about 6-8 guys to get it done, but it looks wonderful. I couldn’t watch it being installed, however, as heights scare me. I wasn’t even the one on the ladders and scaffolding 16 feet in the air. And I couldn’t watch Derek, Derek, George, & Mike climb up those ladders either. John, John and Rob, my scene shop crew, declined to climb. Smart guys those.
I’ve got to hand it to the crew. None of them had ever attempted framing the proscenium with large flat panels before and it took a little figuring out how to do safely. I was a little concerned when the last 6’x10’ panel went up in the center spot over the proscenium and there was a 2 inch gap between it and the panel next to it. Yikes! But the guys just moved the large C-clams that held the side panels to the proscenium over a bit a Viola! No more gap! Mike, who is the technical director for the theatre said they would not be doing this again, it is just too dangerous. Small community theatres just don’t have the resources to carry out this type of set.
Good thing I don’t have any formal training in set design, or I might have thought it couldn’t be done and given up before I had even started. Fortunately, my master builder and the rest of the crew never tried to convince me not to do it. I guess no one really knew what was involved and we all forged confidently ahead. The best part is that it looks great and it works and no one got hurt!
Not only is the false proscenium installed, but the entire set was completely installed for the 2:00 p.m. rehearsal on Sunday. This is a first in my limited theatre experience. I stayed and watched the rehearsal for about an hour just to see if everything worked the way it should and make sure the sight lines were all good. It was nice to be able and sit back to critique the set to see if there is anything left to do, or if I want to leave it as is.
Last night I went to the theatre late for rehearsal specifically to see Act II since I had not seen this set in final form on stage. I am not sure what I expected. The back shoji screens flew out, the backdrop came down, the Tori Gate flew in. The foo dogs were replaced by cherry trees, but for some reason it didn’t impress me. It is much the same feeling after I complete a painting. Once it is done, I am no longer captivated by it, and am far more interested in the next painting. I guess that means it’s time for my next adventure.
So, what is next? Stay tuned.
Cheers,
Joy
