Lights...

Today we ventured out to Theatre Arts Guild where Austin Reade gave us an introductory workshop on lighting design and operation. Bill VanGorder and Joe O'Brien were there to lend a hand as well.

It's been years since I performed at TAG and the facility is even more amazing now with an expanded lobby, rehearsal room, kitchen and new seating forms. They're gearing up for their next show, Oklahoma! The stage was empty but for some carpentry tools, but Austin had kept the lighting in situ from the previous show.

He talked through some of the basic elements of designs, walked us through basic equipment and then let the Academy group get their hands dirty on the board, creating and running lighting cues. End result, four young performers eager to learn more and at least a couple who want to have a kick at designing for the Four Actors/Apocalpse shows for Berlin. yay!

Thanks very much Austin, Bill, Joe and TAG!

After the lighting session, we noshed at Subway, where Aaron and Garry got existential over the cookies, I spilled milk on Holly twice and Ali and Sophie maintained the decorum. The day continued with another exploration session for the show at the FEZ - building a choreographed piece as an ensemble with no other parameter but build it, you have 30 minutes, go. Discussion of strong characters and issues that had emerged from prior work last weekend. Intensive interview of one of the characters (channelled by Ali) in the hotseat.