Archive for October, 2009

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Numerous reports are appearing on Twitter from bloggers claiming to be getting spam comments promoting Cirque du Soleil’s new show, “Banana Shpeel.”  Is this part of a green-lit PR campaign that is getting caught, or something conceived by an outside firm without Cirque’s knowledge? Please let me know if you are getting any spam comments... »

A recent article in Bloomberg.com revealed that the top 5 IATSE stagehands at Carnegie Hall made an average of $430,543, with the Prop Master earning $530,044.  These are high amounts to pretty much anyone. What is not mentioned in the original article is the fact that... »

Full disclosure:  this is the designer and production that I was to program for this week. I am still in shock as I write this. Scenic and Lighting Designer Michael Philippi died yesterday while walking to the Goodman Theatre. Mr. Philippi, who was 58, was in route to the first day of technical rehearsals for High... »

So, here is the answer to yesterday’s little bit of trivia: the lighting hickey. There are various sizes, but essentially it acts as a gap between two threaded pipes to allow wiring connections to be made between the fixture and the feed/support. »

Alright lighting and prop folks, who knows what a hickey is? From a recent load-in: M.E.:  (while looking at hanging practical fixture that needed a wiring connection before going into a threaded rod)  “Hmm…  Might need a hickey.   Check in the box up on that shelf.” Electrician 1 looks in box. Electrician 2:  “What’s a hickey?” M.E.: (turns, pauses) ... »

Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards for Equity affiliated productions will be held tonight at the theatre centrally located between of all the eligible theatres, and conveniently near public transportation North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL.  Tickets are still available, but only at the door.  $65.00 for members of the major theatrical... »

Whenever you get that twinge of intimidation when you are working a show with someone famous: see more Lol Celebs This also applies to nearly every big name designer or director. »

This past Monday, I was privileged to be working part of the national simulstaging of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, An Epilogue.  Over 150 theatres across the US and around the world (in fact, more than were listed on the website) took part in this event, which included many of them starting their... »

Tonight at over 150 theatres across the US, and 14 more internationally, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. An Epilogue will be presented nearly simultaneously.   Many theatres will show a live feed from the Lincoln Center, with Moises Kaufman offering an introduction to the event.  Then each of the theatres participating will present their... »