Weekend Work, Again

Saturday rehearsal was pretty good. The costumes are great, and they are the least of my worries at this point. The props from Bob Decker are still not here. Perhaps he thought we meant THIS Tuesday rather than LAST Tuesday. Mostly I need the Waffling props.

I tore into the lights on Saturday after rehearsal. I pulled all cords (extension or otherwise), removed all cruddy tape, zip ties, etc. and un-hung all of the PAR38 specials. I repatched the dimmer packs to actually follow the lighting configurations capable on our system. What's weird is that it doesn't use DMX. It's an NSI brand system, and it uses a proprietary command format named MPX. It's similar to DMX, but not compatible in the least.

Once I got the instruments focused and preliminarily patched, I took an inventory of what extension cords would be needed. We had a lot of LONG extension cords, but not enough SHORT extension cords. I ran over to Home Depot and picked up six pairs of cord ends, some Velcro cable ties (the "low end" ones), and some Goo Gone. Over the course of the next two hours, I hacked one long cable into two short ones, hacked a LONG green cable into three MEDIUM length cables, and repaired another. I then used the Goo Gone to remove the TONS of tape scum from the cables, and then used the Velcro ties to dress everything.

After that I added the gels back in on the second tiers of lights, and replaced a lamp on a unit when it blew. I then re-attatched the specials, putting one off R for the "upstairs", one on the "Pope", and then two on the platform. I haven't set the cues yet, but I'll work through that today.

Sunday was carpentry day. I got the Julia counter, bench, and Pope box done. Then I headed over to Home Depot and got the moulding. I arrived finally at Petit at around 7:00 and got all of the equipment inside. Leana, Ray, and Lulu showed up shortly thereafter to see if I needed anything. I got the Pope box installed in about 30 minutes, then started on the base boards. Next up was the crown moulding, and then the "telephone" board. I then taped everything off, and put up some old holiday lights backstage.

So, tonight we get Zach back, so we'll have music. Candy and Ron will also be there to work with me on lights. I was going to paint tonight, but I've decided to delay until Tuesday night after rehearsal. I can tell the cast tonight, so they can wear grubbies for the painting part, and that will also give me an extra day to buy the proper paint.

Only a few significant props left. I still haven't seen hide or hair of the waffleing sticks. I have to make up the Confession/Absolution card. I need to buy the super balls, bring in the puppets, and finish Mary Annette. It'll happen...

- Sean