The Days Leading Up To Opening

Hello All,
In this entry I am going to talk about my days at Skylight leading up to opening. On the 12th of May, Skylight had their 10/12 tech day. This was a day that was spent walking though as much of the show as they could. This was done so that all of the designers have the time to sync what they created for the show with the action on stage. For this 10/12 they almost got through the first act. For me this was just a day of observation. Also on first tech the only thing that was required from the sound department was to make sure the com system was working and to be three if the play got to the point where the chromolume effect was used. Tech for the rest of the show was completed on the following Tuesday (5/15/11).

On Tuesday tech was finished from the ending of act one through act two. Once gain there was little needed from the sound department. However on these days, I was able to start to understand the show and the different things that were happening.

Orchestra Dress was on the 16th and that was the day that the actors were in full costume and had their mics. On this day Gary wanted me to be backstage observing the traffic patterns in case I needed to go back and attend to a mic problem. Being backstage gave me a different perspective of the show. There are some transitions that required quick changes and the way that the crew responded to them was very structured. During the second act, I moved to the dress circle of the theatre to watch and listen  to how the sound was different in the theatre. Gary told me that the dress circle in the center is where the audio sounded the best. I would have to agree. The reason this is the case is because the sound coming from the orchestra pit is aimed upward and hits that section the best. Sitting in the dress circle was also where I think the best place to sit during the chromolume effect. At the end of the night I was given my task at the end of the show. The task that Gary gave me was to turn off the rack in the tech gallery and then go down into the dressing rooms and collect the mics. When collecting the mics, I have to make sure they remain on so that the battery drains completely. Gary told me that this was done so that the batteries receive a full charge and hold their charge longer. That night made me start to fell that I belong in the group because now I had a task to complete on a nightly basis.

Preview night has finally come. This was the day that was open to those who have work on the show to come and see the fruits of their labor. At the top of the show Gary gave me a new task. At 6 minuets before top of show I was to stand down by the orchestra pit and wait while Gary was checking to see if he has a mic signal from every member of the cast. If he does not have someone, I go to the dressing room and ask that specific person to come out to the area where I am standing and talk into their microphone. Once Gary has them the actor goes back to the dressing room to finish getting ready. When Gary has everyone, I turn down the volume on the headset and head up to observe Gary behind the board.

In the next blog I will be writing about the run of the show and the different things that have come up during the run of the show.

Until next time........

Theresa "Resa" E

The Sitz Probe

Hello to the many fans of my blog. Sorry I have not written in some time. I have been wrapping things up with my last semester of school. I am going to be doing some back blogging. This entry is from 5/9/12. On this day, Skylight had its sitz probe for "Sunday in the Park with George." Before the cast showed up Gary showed me how to prep the microphones for the evening. This was the first day I met the cast and that the cast met the orchestra. I was nervous and when that happens I become quiet.  To start things off Gary and I met the cast in the dressing rooms to fit them with mics. Gary also explained to the cast how to wear the microphones and how to secure the cables. The whole purpose of the sitz probe is for the orchestra and cast to hear each other for the first time. This was a great experience for me because I was able to observe the way that Gary interacts with the cast and also for me to observe the way he works the sound board. The sitz probe lasted for a few hours and at the end of the night I was shown the Gary's way of collecting the mics. At the end of the evening Gary and I discussed the schedule for the next couple of days and I was on my way home for the evening.

Until next time.....

Theresa "Resa" E

Preparation

Greetings to theses that read my blog. I had a productive week at Skylight. What I am going to cover in today's writing covers two days. I was at Skylight three days this week. On Wednesday and Friday Gary and I spent the majority of the days connecting the board as well as using the patch bay. The board that is bring used is a 64 channel analog Mackie board. Around the time that Gary and I patched the board we had technical conversation about low-z and high-z. These are terms that are attach to microphone cable. The z means impedance which is the amount of resistance the signal endures before it reaches the signal processor from the microphone or source. I got to take a little break from sound to assist Ryan, the master electrician, go to The Milwaukee Rep to pick up some lights. That was an experience in its self. I find that being able to see the backstage work area to me the most fascinating aspect. While at the Rep, I got to see the paint-shop, which to me looked more like a storage area when I was there. I also completed half of my silly little personal goal. I climbed from the stage level up to the tech balcony using the escape ladder. To complete this goal I must start at the top and go down. I will let you all know when this happens.

The Friday that I was there it was not as long. Gary and I spent the majority of the afternoon working patching the board to the different machines that were by the board as well to the large patch bay that is located in the technical balcony. The tech conversation that was talked about today was about inserts on the back of the board. The inserts are a way connecting an external signal processor to the board. The only thing with that is that the connection would then need to be patched into a separate signal to control the newly attached unit. I am still having a lot of fun and am looking forward to the next time I am there.

Until next time.......

Theresa "Resa" E

A Keeper of Keys

Good Afternoon to all of you out in blog land. Today was my second day as an intern as Skylight Music Theatre. It was a busy day. I was given a set of keys today and that made me feel important. I am really excited about my internship. Today Gary and I moved the equipment that we moved last time I was there from the orchestra pit to the back of the house. After we moved the board and placed it on the table in the house, I asked Gary some questions about the board and what it can and cannot do. For instance, I asked him if is was possible to double up on channels. The reason that I asked was because if a person had a 16 channel analog board, could they connect all the channels into the computer for Qlab and run the mics out of the aux (if they were needed). Gary told me that it would not be possible and in the long run it would be best to mix the sound effects to stereo and run them out of 2 channel thus freeing up space on the board. I really enjoyed the technical conversations that Gary and I had today and am looking forward to the upcoming ones.

Until next time..........

Theresa "Resa" E

Introduction

Good evening to those of you that read my blog. This is my first entry on my exciting new adventure as an intern for the sound/av department at Skylight Music Theatre. I received an e-mail at the end of last week from my intern supervisor Gary. He asked me if I would like to help him strike the sound equipment that was used in the past production of "Daddy Long Legs." I started at 10am and worked till 1:05pm. My first task of the day was to strike the cables off of the board. This was quite different to me because at school the board is in the booth and does not move. The board that is used at Skylight is a 64 channel Mackie board. Moving the board was quite an undertaking for two people because it is HEAVY!!!! Gary and I managed to move it into the road case and then moved it to the orchestra pit under the stage. I was challenging at times because i had to lead Gary because he was behind it. We used a hand truck to move it. After getting all of the sound equipment moved into storage under the stage Gary told me that in a few weeks we will have to do the same thing but only in reverse. I actually cannot wait because I am really looking forward to connecting the board and making it work. I enjoy that aspect. I now have a tentative schedule for the show.  I am hoping that this opportunity will teach me how to act in a professional setting and to hone my skills as a sound tech.

Until next time.........

Theresa "Resa" E