Set dressed for Act II

The arched window seat...I added 'glass' and 'lead' today. I will try to do six-inch panes tomorrow before the show. Also notice the lovely pillow on the throne with added tassels.

Not a very good picture, but it shows the final product, all dressed up instead of being draped.
The fireplace, looking all spiffy.
Doorway to kitchen, and the front door. I will try to get better photos with the lights on...it is really hard because the set crew starts preparing for the next show immediately after the curtain.
These are the candles Tom 'lights' on cue...the flicker, too! So cool.
The program has a lovely tribute to service members from Shaw AFB and specifically mentions Tom and me in the notes from the director. It was very sweet. There is a newspaper article in "The Item" which mentions us, also. That article makes us sound indispensible... and we all know they got along just fine without us for years.

Tonight's rehearsal went well; the invited audience seemed to enjoy it very much. I missed one cue completely (noone noticed), and another was so quick there was no way I could have done it -- the actor was quicker tonight than ever before, and I don't think the CD player will allow that quick a change in tracks. I will try practicing tomorrow before the show to see if I can do it.

Speaking of doing the sound, Tom set it all up very nicely for me -- he wired the CD palyer through the theater's speakers, so I can run sound just like I did in the rehearsals. I have a second deck for the 'commercial' we made using our actor's voice, which allows a much faster scene change because I do not have to wait for it to cue up. We got lots of compliments after the show...I hope we can continue to do a good job.

Thanks for the good wishes, Jen!

Final Dress Reahearsal with an audience...

...is tonight. I hope I do better than I did last night. I just wasn't on. Tom wasn't following the show, either, because he was cutting gels (preparing lights for the show) so he missed a couple of cues which I did tell him about, but not closely enough to the event to make a difference...

I missed a cue completely and didn't catch on until the Barrymore character says something like'my ghostly powers tell me someone willl be coming to the door. Perhaps we will hear a buzzer?' Then during notes, the director wanted to know from the actor why he was so late coming in...I had to speak up and say it was my fault, not his.

I stayed late, trying to complete the wood graining of the floor, but it got too late and I was exhausted, beginning to make mistakes. I was getting closer to the new carpeting and thought it best to complete the work when I was fresh and less likely to spill. Unfortunately, the new grand drape is being installed today, so I cannot work until they finish that, hopefully in time for the paint on the floor to dry before the show. I am exhausted, and must have been putting some odd pressure on my right foot yesterday while working on the floor...because it hurts like a bugger today! I could barely put weight on it when I got up, but it is better as time goes by.

I have to finish these prop candles for Tom, then off to the theater! I hope I do it right tonight.

First Tech Rehearsal

...went pretty well. There are still some details to handle, like the doors need handles. Tom put substitutes on last night, just to help the actors. They were grateful, but none of them remembers to close doors behind themselves! I will have to dispatch a member of the stage crew to go behind and use the 'door-slam' gadget to close the door to the balcony after entrances.

We still don't have a sound person, and there is no way Tom can do it all (lighting and sound)from the booth because so many light and sound cues are simultaneous...so the solution was suggested by Sylvia, the Props Mistress -- use the CD player I have been using during rehearsals and send the sound through the theater speakers and I CAN RUN SOUND FROM BACKSTAGE! ARGH! I was a nervous wreck with just Stage Management. I need a stronger anti-perspirant! I did it last night, and it went pretty well with just a few 'off' cues. That is what rehearsal is for, right? It is difficult to direct people and answer questions and keep on top of cues at the same time - although I would still have to be on top of it with another person pushing the buttons, so I guess it doesn't matter. So Tom has another job-wiring the sound from the back to the speakers.

He did a wonderful job of completing the new flooring yesterday. Now I will have to paint it today. I have to decide which direction to make the floorboards go--horizontal or perpendicular to the audience. There are still a few details - the fireplace needs some details painted into the firebox area, the window needs 'leaded glass', the floor needs painting, the doors need doorknobs and one needs to be rigged to open and slam shut on cue, the sofa has a tear we must camoflage, Tom needs to hide some wiring for 'candles' on the mantle that light on cue, and some pictures need to be hung. At least I know where they go! The details somehow all come together...I don't know how.

Opening night is Thursday.

On another note, one of the first folks we met there came to me all excited yesterday, asking where we were associated with theater in Germany. I told him were we actually in Belgium, to which he responded he found a website the night before with lists of nominees and winners for the Topper Awards for the past several years. He came up with the website for the theater where the Tournament of Plays holds its annual awards. He was very excited by it. We had never mentioned Toppers, although I wanted to include Tom's in his bio--he made me scratch it out.

More photos

Here is the throne in the workshop, just after I finished staining it. Prepared for rehearsal of Act I. Notice how torn up the floor is?
Some Medieval accoutrements to dress the stage.
Preparing to make wood look like wood.....
Here it is with the graining done. We finished with a coat of polyurethane for shine. It's real purty!


Tonight, Tom finally took the bull by the horns and told our director the best way to handle our deteriorating floor problem is to cover it with luan. Unfortunately, we needed about 20 sheets and our local Lowes only had seven.. Tom installed those seven, and another he had in the workshop. I will have to go to big city tomorrow for the rest of the wood and have it ready for Tom when he arrives after work tomorrow.

Today's rehearsal went well as far as my job went. The sound cues went off very well -- I finally got hold the original disc from the theatre company, and it plays the cues perfectly, in order. The copy that was made somehow got totally screwed up, with cues out of order. I wasted a lot of time trying to figure that out when I should have known better. Anyway, now all we need is a sound person for the show. There is no way one person can do lights and sound. There are too many similtaneous occurrences of both!

Tech rehearsal tomorrow and Tuesday, Dress with an audience Wednesday and Opening Night Thursday. Nerves, nerves, nerves.

I forgot my camera!

I left it behind when we left the theater at midnight last night, so no pictures until next post. Tom says we are leaving early (read: on time) tonight, no matter what. We both need sleep. Tom ran into a fellow airman he was in the IG with at Langley the other night...the guy has been here three months, but been on the base 12 days. He travels A LOT for his job, and the family is in Florida. Tom wants to have him over for dinner Monday. I have an ACES metting Monday, so I guess they can catch up while I'm out.

The set is coming together, now all we need is the techncial stuff! Tom was having terrible problems with the lighting last night. Nothing was working like it was supposed to - one fixture shorted out on him. He's hoping to have it licked by today. I MUST sit myself down and write up cue sheets for the show - light, sound and stage crew. We are also having problems with the stage flooring. During the renovation, the padding on the floor was replaced, but with substandard materials. Sadly, the theater acceoted the stuff, so the is no recourse with the contractor... The top layer of the stuff breaks and peels away just from walking too hard on it. Our show has a sword fight that really tears it up! Underneath is a cardboard melange that is just a mess. No fixes we have tried have worked. Tom tried sealing it with ployurethane last night. It that doesn't hold up through rehearsal today, he will suggest luan panels. It is a royal mess and taking far too much time! I should post photos....

Continuing...

The set for the play is moving along at quite a clip now. I painted both sides of two doors and the mantle to look like wood yesterday. I got several compliments on the work, including one of the 'artists' who stopped by when she dropped off her daughter for another event in the area who was asking everyone 'how'd she DO that?' That felt good. I also got one layer of texturizing on the inside of the fireplace, then I was called upon to help with rehearsal. Tom wasn't in due to a dinner for work, so I got my dinner and picked up something for Marge, the costume designer, while I was out.

When I left for the evening, I got a really nice compliment from her, too -- she said she likes to be there when I am. It's a more pleasant place then. Isn't that nice? Considering Tom calls her 'Miss Negativity' in private (with good reason), I took that as high praise.

I hope to get more photos today. Happy Saturday, y'all!

One week to opening night

Bannister with base coat, waiting to be made to look 'real.'

The paint is still wet, but this is the result of using a special texturizing tool Tom bought. Pretty cool, yes?
The fireplace with logs and a fire screen. That is not the mantle, it is just the support board for a 'floating' shelf. The mantle is on the floor, awaiting texturizing.
The bannisters are finished!
A rare picture of Tom.

Last night's rehearsal was really good. The sound cues still need to be nailed down and we need all the tech stuff done, but the show should be good if Tom can manage to put 30 hours into a day. The set is really looking good. Yesterday, I stained the throne with a red oak stain, painted a base coat on the mantle, and did some touch-up work on the bannisters. Tom built the firebox part of the fireplace and added the logs, put up a large picture of a golden knight, and added a broadsword to the front of the mantle. It looks great. I wanted to get a photo of the set all dressed when rehearsal was over, but the props people had the thing dismantled seconds after the play rehearsal was over. Even Tom asked me, while he was disassembling the mantle to be painted, "why didn't you take a picture with the sword on it?" I just looked at him with a very exasperated look on my face. Poor Tom.

Latest "I Hate Hamlet" photos

You can see the details coming together. The vista throught the 'window' was in the process of being painted as I took the photo. Do you like the 'throne'? Tom modeled it after the one from Arthur's 'Camelot.'

More details completed on the bannisters. More to do.... The suit of armor was loaned by a liquor store!


This week I have spent several 10 hours + days at the theater, mostly painting and attending rehearsals. One helper was a bit disappointed that I wouldn't be arriving until noon the day she wanted to come in to paint. She likes to get started early - like 7:30. She doesn't realize that once I am there, I am there. I forgot to get the key from Tom, so I called her that morning to let her know I would be late. "Oh, that's OK, I wasn't going to come in until 1:00 anyway." Great. Then why was I rushing to get there at noon for you? I didn't ask...she really doesn't know that I have more responsibilities than the painting.

The sound cues are still proving to be a problem, as the cue sheet provided by the Play People is not right at all. I don't get that...surely there would have been complaints before now? Anyway, someone - likely ME -- will have to find the time to sit down with a script and the recording and decide which sound works with which cue, create a cue sheet and include the timing. Then I guess a new CD will have to be burned...maybe? I don't know how these things are handled....

I don't think we have a tech crew. I have asked, but the question gets pushed aside... I hope it's not just Tom and me on Opening Night! Tom did tell the director he has NO contacts in the local area. We both assumed she would know people who would do lights and sound, and be on the crew. There isn't TOO much set work: only one major change and some additions in the next scene, so we don't need a LOT of people. One or two would be really helpful, though. Seriously. We open next week. I'm getting nervous.

Happy Birthday, Cathy!

and John!

Belatedly.....

Oops. Sorry, Hat...I did remember to send personal emails to the homes of my sister and nephew on their shared birthday. Now it's time to wish them a Happy Belated Birthday in the blogworld!

First of five -- and I just this minute realized that is true for both of them -- born on 18 February, my sister Cathy shares her birthday with her firstborn, John. Two years ago, they were sort of hoping that John's first child would also share their big day. Three generations! Alas, young Patrick decided he wanted his own day.

If you see Cathy and John, mention their birthdays. You'll get a smile. Thanks.

Stage Management...

is going to be a challenge. I am supposed to 'call' the show. That means I use a radio to tell the tech crew there is a special effect coming up, then I cue them when to actually DO the effect (either light or sound or movement). The script arrived with a CD and a cue chart. The cue chart is totally screwed up--the sounds do NOT match the part of the script they are supposed to. The director (a lovely 78 year old woman) blames the CD player. It is new and she doesn't understand how to work it. During a break, I listened to all the sounds and learned most of them, but not all of them, are off by one CD track (#2 should be #3, #3 should be #4, you get the idea). Now I have to find time to sit down and decide which cue will be for which sound. Some of the cues are really long -- too long, in my opinion. It doesn't take 20 seconds to make an entrance! The good thing we learned is that, although the cue sheet says #20 is the 'dance', it is actually #21. This is a HUGE relief, as we had been using BOTH (thinking something was wrong, but not glomming onto the error) and it just didn't work. During tonight's rehearsal, we used only the correct music, and it worked really well. I don't think it will have to be cut after all. Man, I hope I get in some practice at this job, before the actual shows~

Peanut Butter

I rarely buy peanut butter, much less two jars at a time...however, TJ is away from home just now and his favorite cookie is peanut butter...I thought I'd stock up so I could mail him some homemade goodies. Hah! I bought Peter Pan Peanut butter.

How I Spent My Thursday....*updated with photos*

I went to the theater at about 12:30 in the afternoon and came home at 10:45pm. Whew! While there I did some paint work on the set. I rag-rolled two flats that are being used to mask the backstage area behind an open archway, I painted the gaffer's tape over the seams of several masking flats, and I stenciled, stenciled, stenciled on the walls of the main set. It really does make a nice difference to the set, but it takes so long! I am working alone, so I am up and down the ladder constantly getting the tape measure, level, pencil, straight-edge, paint, stencil and dauber. I have been leading up to this work for several days...I kept making mistakes with the placement of the stencil, so I would stop and come back to it. I had to 'erase' several attempts, which meant using a wet rag to clean off the paintm then redoing the 'texturizing' that was erased with the stencil. So when I came back to it today, I was nervous that I would make more mistakes. I don't know if I was clenching my jaw or what, but I developed an ache right at the mandibular joint on the right side. Add this to the aching shoulder and I actually stopped working to take an ibuprofen and find something to eat with it. Tom arrived about 6:15 and started working on the bannisters to the stairway. I like what he's doing. It's going to look really nice when he's done and it gets painted. Pictures soon. I am about two-thirds done, but I have a good handle on where and how to place the stencils so the last bit should go more quickly. Today is a 'down' day for Tom. He is off right now, volunteering with other folks from the base with a program called "Finding the 'U' in Sumter." He will either be planting trees or painting. He expects to be done there about 2:00 and then will likely head to the theater for more bannister work. I will join him for the afternoon and then attend tonight's rehearsal.

The stage is set to rehearse Act I. That's why it is such a mess! You can see a little of the work Tom has done on the bannisters.

A sampling of the stencil work I've been doing. Fourteen hours, and I'm almost done!

Another view. Like the torchiere lamp (left center)? Tom completely rewired it, and it works! The Propmaster will be using it in her home after the show.

A closser view of the stencils - a fleur-de-lis and a diamond. I made the stencils myself.

Happy Valentine's Day! *updated*

I have had a lovely email from my darling husband and a telephone call from my dear son, who is overseas with his job at the moment. TJ also sent a mass email to 'all the ladies in his life' to wish us a Happy Valentine's Day and tell us he loves us. Such thoughtful men in my life.

I hope your Valentine's Day makes you feel special and loved. Wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze! :)

***I also got an email from sister Cathy, a phone call from my Dad and another from my daughter Jen and grandson Ryan. I feel so popular!

More signs of spring...

It is raining bucketsful at the moment, but when I went into the backyard yesterday afternoon, I found some flowers beginning to bloom.

Here we have a Camellia. I have seen these blooming all over town recently, but ours is just starting to flower I think it has to do with the sun exposure. Ours in in the shade....I think this blurry flower may turn out to be a daffodil. There was only this tiny show of color, but it gives me hope!

Then on the ground between the two flowering things, I noticed this skeleton. Not so hopeful, huh? I'm not even sure what this thing was. Sorry the picture is so blurry. Maybe when the rain stops, I can try again....anyway, I thought it might be a bird because the sharp thing in the upper left of the picture looks sort of like a beak. Then I looked a little more closely at those things in the middle--they look like teeth! Molars, to be exact. This wasn't all the bones I saw. There were more next to this, but they were small and scattered. I really have no idea what this creature might have been.

"I Hate Hamlet" set photos

Saturday and Sunday working at the theater...

Eleven hours on Saturday, seven on Sunday. A lot got done -- the set is really beginning to look good, although I forgot to take pictures. I'll take some when I go in today. Only one of the three ladies I worked with on Thursday came on Saturday, and there were no children. I feel a little bad because I have a feeling my very readable face gave away the fact that I wasn't eager to work with small children at this point in the process. I would likely feel differently if I knew the kids, but I've only just met their mothers. And one of them was bringing eleven-year-old triplets!

So, doors have been built and begun to be painted, same with the bannisters, the window archway has been supported, flats have been added to the set, the fireplace has been installed, the walls have been textured, and 'masking' flats are being painted. I have made the stencil for the wallpaper look on the walls and will try to work on that during the day today. My least favorite part of the process has already begun. That is when the actors in the show start to critique the set. One guy wanted to know what we were going to do about the tape over the seams on the flats. He thinks we need to 'putty' them. That is not something I have ever seen done, although I am told some theaters do it. I found myself defending the set, telling the guy the audience is a lot further away than he was at the time. He responded by going into the last row of the audience and saying 'I still see the tape.' I didn't respond to that and he went away. Next time I may offer him the chance to work on it himself. This has happened with every single show I have ever worked on -- "you missed a spot;" "what are you going to do about_____;" "these colors are all wrong;" "this is not what I expected at all -- shouldn't there be such-and-such?" Our previous director used to tell the entire cast that, unless they worked on it themselves, their job regarding the set was to oooh and aaah and tell the hardworking crew 'thank you.' I like her thinking.

I have been asked to Stage Manage the show. Tom was asked if I would consider it, and he responded that I would 'probably' do it. So I feel a little obligated...and very nervous. This is not something I have a lot of experience with, and it is a LOT of responsibility. I start tonight. I will be asking a lot of questions....

I'll get some photos and post them later. Tom's work is going to produce a really great set.

First signs of Spring...

I saw three robins in a row this week. And in spite of the recent freezing at night, it seems there will be flowers this Spring. See?

This is the tree Tom pruned so heavily last fall. Looks like she's going to bloom! Some of the blossoms show some frost damage, but not too many. I'm so pleased! I love this tree, especially when it is in bloom.

This is one of the bulbs flowers planted around the mailbox. I was in Maryland waiting for Lily's arrival when they bloomed last year. Can't wait to see what we have in there!

Happy "Satisfied Staying Single" Day!

I just heard on the radio that today is for celebrating your satisfaction with your Single Status. So, to those of you who are happily single, buy yourself some chocolate and flowers, make a delicious meal, share some time with friends and just enjoy your life. Have a great day!

Theater Thursday

I spent yesterday morning (from 8:00am on) working with some new folks at the theater. Our plan was to work on the fireplace because it is lying across the floor and needs to be moved so that the actors can use the space for rehearsals. Leann and Kerry are 'artists' that the director knows, and she wanted their help with this show. Neither has ever done set-painting before. This was the first time Leann had met me, and Kerry and I had met only briefly. Neither of these women knows my background and I don't know much about theirs...I found working with them yesterday to be a bit lonesome. They know each other and consulted each other on each step of the project, asking for and accepting nothing from me at all. Suggestions I made were declined or ignored. Swanee arrived, and it was the same, although she did speak up for a color I suggested which was unsatisfactory to the other two... They felt it would be 'too matchy.' Not even sure what tht means. During our time together, it was decided that Tom's 'square block' design on the fireplace was 'too busy' and should be replaced with rectangles. Kerry also wanted to add a brick border around the frame of the firebox. I did say 'no' to that -- the designer drew it without a border so we should not add one. Then the director stopped by and told us the color that had been chosen for the 'stone' of the fireplace was too light and was going to look pink under the lights. She was right about the pink part, but Tom planned for a lighter 'sandstone' look to the stone, not the dark 'cemetary gray' that Katie insisted on. It was decided to do one doorway in the dark gray and let Tom and Katie decide which way to go with the rest. So if Tom hates it, he will have to speak up. He is already unhappy about the change to the size of the stones...but is willing to be flexible if it looks OK. I felt like a third wheel the whole day. I hope I can make friends with these folks and begin to enjoy the work again.

Two of the ladies decided to bring their children with them on Saturday...We are into the 'detail' work for the show, so there isn't much painting I am willing to trust to 11 year olds...we'll see how that goes. Perhaps the kids will surprise me. I just hope I am not expected to 'look after them' while their mothers work. That won't be happening again!

Weird Wednesday Evening at the Theater

I was all alone tonight at the theater. I propped the door open, just like Tom does, so anyone who wants to come work can get in...I had just decided that I should close it since I was all alone when the door opened! My heartbeat picked up for a second until I heard Mike call out 'Hello?' He just stopped in to check on me, as he had some work to do on his upcoming production of "Alice in Wonderland." When he left, he shut the door tightly, not wanting to leave me vulnerable and alone. He also gave me his cell phone number. I didn't need it, but it was good to have it.

I didn't paint tonight. I was busy marking arches and the fireplace with lines to delineate where the stones should be. Kerry will be coming in at 8:00am to help paint. She is an artist, so she will be guiding the process of making wood look like stone. She has never done set painting before, but that is no obstacle. Once the Fireplace is done, we can put it in place and the actors will be able to rehearse on the set. This may make it difficult for us, as the Director does not allow tech work to be done while actors are on the set. We will have to work during the day and weekends.

Wish us luck.

More "I Hate Hamlet"

This is just the set-building and painting part of the procedure, you understand.

Here we have the beginnings of the entryway, with a double-leveled stairway. To the left you can see part of the arched window.

I forgot how much this hurts!

Tom and I spent the weekend working on the set for "I Hate Hamlet." We are into the painting now, which is where I get really involved. So I was using a roller and a paintbrush, climbing up a really rickety ladder, crawling under set pieces, lying on the floor...all for the purpose of getting the right color in the right place. This is all stuff I do not do regularly, and I am finding that my body is reminding me of that fact. My feet ache, especially the middle toe on my right foot. Now WHY would that toe hurt more than any other? My hands ache from holding the roller handle and the brushes. I expected my back to ache, but it doesn't, although it is a bit stiff.

On the bright side, the set is looking good! The arched doorways are impressive and the red walls go well with them. Tom worked on the bannisters yesterday. They are taking some time because he has to make them really sturdy, as the actors have informed him that they intend to climb, leap, lunge, crawl and sit on them. When Tom asked one of the actors to check out the stairs, the actor jumped on them! They held up beautifully, but I thought he was a little foolish to be so trusting first time around. Mike, who has twenty years experience with the Little Theater, says this actor tends to be really rough on a set. Tom isn't complaining, but I feel like this is information he should have had long ago so he could plan appropriately. Now he has to come up with ways to reinforce the railings, spindles and newel posts. He can do it, but we will lose a lot of time on the set once the director moves her rehearsals in there -- she doesn't allow any technical work while the actors are on the set. Tom and I also have prior commitments this week, so I can't be there three evenings, and Tom can't be there four evenings. So next weekend will be really busy, and probably a lot of hours.

I have an ACES meeting tonight, so I'd better go prepare an agenda.

Happy Monday, y'all!