The set is set!

Wow, do things ever progress quickly!

This week, I have a set! And it looks amazing, and it's SOLID. I mean, most of the sets in theater are flimsy enough that, if you slam a door too hard, the whole thing wobbles back and forth like a bar fly at happy hour. But THIS SET... it looks like it's framed to build a house! Considering the amount of abuse it's probably going to take, thank goodness for that! And SO MANY little unexpected little surprises for the audience which help with the tech. It's just... uber cool.

I'll post pics of parts of the progress... but not the end result. That, my friends, will require a ticket to see!!!! (*cough* www.ctacmedhat.com *cough*)

Tonight was a bit of a marathon, for me at least. I had so many departments in attendance, I was constantly switching my brain between set, props, dance, blood, promotions, sound, masks, blocking, audience... I really do feel like a one-legged guy in an ass kicking contest. But, it's certainly fulfilling to know that my departments are working so well and I've answered most of their questions (for now). And I'm happy to have most of the answers. I've realized that one giant skill that a director MUST HAVE is decisiveness. You can't just leave a department hanging because you can't decide on what you want. Most of my decisions are made right then and there. Very rarely do I find myself saying, "Can you let me think on it for a bit?". It's intimidating to have to make up your mind immediately, but VERY worth it in the end.




AND it was our first full run-through of the show! Start to finish, and let me tell you, it looks incredible. I was mostly impressed with how well the lines were memorized in Act 1, they all seem to have it down pat. Act 2 was a little bit more of a struggle, but I have confidence in my cast that it will come very shortly. There is also a lot of action going on in Act 2, so it's hard to remember, "oh, I have to run here, grab this chainsaw, say this line, shoot this gun, pop out of the cellar..." I get it. But for a month away from opening night, they're doing extremely well.

I finally have my long lost production manager and producer back too... yes this husband and wife team were off galavanting in Europe. AND my vocal director came back from Mexico this week. There were FAR too many tanned people at rehearsal tonight, I'll tell you that much.

IT'S OFFICIALLY ONE MONTH UNTIL OPENING NIGHT! Let the fun begin!