The Trees – Lighting Booth

On the final day of rehearsal Jeff Atkisson worked late in the lighting booth. He looks to me like a concert pianist with the way he taps away at the lighting buttons. Just look at the reach he has on that pinky finger. He pointed out to Aradhana, the director, that they needed to get a few last minute cues locked down just before show time. Aradhana walked back and playfully acted jealous like I was paying to much attention to her lighting designer and not enough attention to the hard work being done on stage. As the rehearsal progressed she released groups of actors as they finished with the scenes they were in. Many of the tech people had to stay late for the rehearsal and she offered them Christmas cookies as an added incentive to stay.
The carousel movement in one of the dance numbers was running slow so she was encouraging the actors to pick up the pace. Trusses that represent attic roofing beans were in place and the set was now complete with some decorative woodwork paneling. For this sketch I experimented with using a small book light for the first time. It worked great and I wish I had been using it throughout the process. Jeff had to leave before I finished the sketch. He glanced at the sketch and pointed out that I had gotten the colors wrong on a couple of the console lights. I made corrections but it still isn’t totally accurate. He left the trees lit for the sake of my sketch and he showed me which leaver to pull down in order to turn the lights off when I left. I felt so powerful when I pulled the leaver and the huge 45 foot high trees went dark. After Jeff got home he decorated a small tree with his girl friend and posted a picture on facebook.
The remaining show times are:
December 4th 7:30 PM
December 5th 3:00 PM
December 6th 7:30 PM
December 11th 7:30 PM
December 12th 3:00 PM
December 13th 5:00 PM
Tickets range from $8 to a $42 Dinner package.