Day 34 - Opening NIGHT Part 2

Compared to other days, today started very early: 9am. There was a development meeting with potential donors, and today we did backstage tours and demonstrations. A/V was needed for two reasons: A projector and screen were needed for a slideshow, and a closed-circuit video feed was needed, so donors could stand on-stage and watch an effect, while also watching the TV to see what really happens backstage.

During this, we were given a new project: We acquired a fourth wireless intercom antenna, and the idea was to place it in the lighting booth at the back of the theatre to expand coverage into the audience (really needed for technical rehearsals). We had moved an antenna in the catwalks from upstage to downstage, but we sacrificed coverage upstage for it. The idea is now that we have the new booth antenna, we can move the original catwalk antenna WAAY back, farther upstage than before.

We got the antenna run, and then put away all of the gear from the development meeting. I then re-hung the catwalk antenna, as far upstage as possible, and hung underneath the catwalks. It has fantastic line-of-sight for the entire back deck, and should greatly increase reception and reliability of the wireless intercom system.

I was also able to run around during the meeting and take photos of some of the sessions. Unfortunately, Flickr is misbehaving and I can't seem to upload the photos. I'll do it when the internet behaves again.

There are few preshow tasks for the "Magic Flute", so as i'm setting up i'm taking a few photos too. Just as light focus finishes, the stage crew swarms the stage sweeping and mopping. The sun is setting, and without clouds it's very intense. The sun sits low enough that the blue sky and amber sun complement very nicely, so I snapped a few photos:

On left, stage crew mops the deck before the house opens. On right, a stage supervisor reviews the preshow checklist.

The show went off without a hitch. There was a small amount of rain, but not nearly as much as last night's "Madame Butterfly" opening night.

After the show was an Opening Night party, for both Butterfly and Magic Flute. Everyone was dressed up...except me. I forgot to grab something nice before I left in the morning, so I was left in a black t-shirt and jeans. Oh well. Fancy parties are really my thing anyway. :)