Today we continued with the last two shows of the entire project. Tonight the whole project and Movement Lab will come to a close. The two shows went on as normal except there was one more mistake that occurred with the music. Makayla started the song and then accidentally stopped it as it was starting. The mistake was noticeable but we had to continue working as though it hadn't happened. The show ended up being really good and all the children danced adorably. To end the day we had to roll up the marley that was set for the dancers, clean up the backstage rooms so that all the props and costume racks could be cleaned up and loaded into the truck once more, raise the cyc and clear out the music room (where we placed the bins and storage units that were taking up too much space back stage). It was a lot of labor work but with everyone's help (even some from the dancers themselves) we were capable of getting the job done earlier than expected. Overall it was a wonderful and educational experience that will forever be a highlight on my resume and work experience.
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The third night of the show was dedicated to Program B which was by far my favorite program. There were several dances that were both fun to program lights for as well as watch. Because Program B was being performed all in one day, there were two shows: a matinee at 2:00pm and an evening show at 7:00pm. Today I also checked the lights once again but this time I replaced one of the instruments' back side adaptor that connected the light instrument to the channel where it received its power. Because we had an extra par light, we simply switched the malfunctioning one with the one that was in storage. Because my friend and stage manager, Merlynne Godwin, was not able to arrive until 1:15pm due to the SAT test–Makayla arrived around 1:00pm–I had to run through a couple of the dances before the show started alone. It was slightly difficult playing the music, watching the time, and cueing the lights, but I managed to do it. By the time they had arrived, I had already set up the work space so everything was ready to go and we started the show around 2:15. This was the first show where we had a mishap with the cued music. Makayla accidentally started playing the wrong song but we managed correct the mistake quickly.
The second night of Program A was a wonderful experience and everyone put on a great performance. The show went off without a hitch and we were capable of putting on yet another successful show. First, I arrived to the theater, turned on the board and checked all the light instruments. Three of the lighting instruments were off when all of them were turned on but I quickly realized that all I had to do was loosen the bulbs or replace them to help re-establish the connection between the bulb and the channels. I was also assisted by my wonderful history teacher, Mr. Richards. Second, I helped some of the dancers rehearse their dance for the Program C show. Finally, I set the lights for the house and we went through the show with no troubles.
Tonight was the first show (Program A) and we each played a big role in the production of it. After training with Bernadette and Patrick I felt completely prepared for the show. To prepare, I first checked all the lights and made sure to replace any of the bulbs that were burnt out or un-functional. Two of the par lights were burnt out but I managed to replace them. The most stage right, red cyc light burned out mid-show but I will be replacing the bulb tomorrow afternoon. The show went very smoothly and looked incredible. Congrats to all the dancers and the wonderful interns that helped the show be such a success.
Aside from a small issue of miscommunication, the day went very well. It was originally planned to arrive at the theater at 12:00 pm (noon) but the time was changed and I did not receive a message saying so but it was fine because I arrive a little before 12 anyways. I continued to the day with the usual line of work from the previous days of interning. First, Patrick programmed more lighting cues for Program C (the third show) and fixed a couple for Program A. I also transferred the cues for the show from handwritten notes to a google doc. Later, I gelled a couple of the work lights so that the wings would have a softer and darker blue light rather than a highly noticeable light shinning through them. Finally, we ran through the show and blocked three of the dances afterwards.
Today Patrick, Bernadette and I were all in the booth programing and setting the stage for Program B (the second show). Through this process I learned how to create a programmable bump/loop into the lighting system and programmed the lights for some of the dances as well. I also replaced the gels for half of the more upstage front lights. Everyone in the booth and I then went through the dress rehearsals with all the corresponding lighting cues and music. While programming I not only took notes on paper as we moved along through the show, but I also transferred the cues onto a google doc file. Finally, we ended the day with running a few of the dances again so that the dancers could rehearse.
This morning I took part in running through most of Program A (the first show) with cues for lights and music. We did not do the rehearsal with the dancers at first because we wanted to test all the lighting cues and we wanted to familiarize ourselves with how the show would be run. Afterwards, I ended up programming lights for two of the performances within Program A. I also replaced the yellow gels on the cyc lights with a darker green gel. Later, I learned a little about controlling the output and volumes of mics, auxiliary-connected computers, and monitors. Finally, during the 5-10pm time frame, me and the other interns did full on dress rehearsal with the light and music cues for Program A. This included the dancers and the back stage crew.
The day began with me assisting Bernie unload her truck full of props and costumes. After that I helped clear out the rooms backstage that were being used as storage spaces. The large boxes and containers were moved to the band room close to the theater. Later, Patrick arrived and I helped fetch some tools for him. Once he was done fixing a faulty cable/mic port, he taught me more about the "cyc" lights and we then proceeded to fix the cyc lights that were being used to project colored lights onto the cyc. Finally, he showed me how to program the lights through the light board and computer in more detail. I was given the chance to practice setting the lights as well as cueing them up for the Program A show. Later I went home to organize the cue list on a google doc.
Today was my first day shadowing a professional lighting technician/engineer with a college education for lighting design. With his expertise and experience working with the Spreckles Performing Arts Center, Patrick, is an ideal mentor. I got the opportunity to observe how he organizes his workspace as well as his techniques and methods for lighting a stage. First he draws a simple schematic of the theater's original lighting scheme and then sketches a second schematic that depicts his ideas for how the show should be lit. He also taught me about a few lighting methods that help make a dance show, specifically, more enjoyable and impactful. Lighting methods include: side lighting, fill lighting, as well as mood lighting (using colors and special gels that change the ray of light being projected by a light instrument). Third, I learned about the different light instruments and the stage coverage that they each provides. I worked mainly with "par" lights by hanging them, securing the clamps attached to them, connecting them to "channels", and replacing the gels associated with them. Finally I observed how he programmed the lights by using a lighting board connected to a monitor. Through this, I was capable of differentiating "dimers" and channels based on how he was capable of programming channels into a single dimmer which then allowed him to control groups of lighting instruments with simple commands that are sent to the dimers. The channels associated with each dimer are then controlled by said dimer.
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The Internship:My name is Daniel Segobiano and I am a current Senior in Nueva's School for the Performing Arts Academy. For my senior project I am working as a light and sound technician for the Movement Lab show that Windsor High School's theater is hosting. This page is a collection of the tasks I performed for each day that I interned.
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