On the days where Athens Theatre is not running a show during their production season, you will oftentimes find them hosting bands that rent the space out for a show or two. The bands I have seen perform in the space are tribute bands, but I am uncertain if that is always the case. While shows are running Thursdays through Sundays, the rental bands typically play on Wednesdays.
As of writing, I have sat in on a few rental performances, including tribute bands for the likes of ABBA, Electric Light Orchestra, and Elvis Presley. My duties for these days are normally pretty light, but there is still plenty to learn from them. The bulk of my work comes before and after the performances. In the beginning, I am tasked with helping set up the stage with microphones and hooking up XLR cables from the microphones to the snakes. I also have to help set up DI’s. After the performances, I help the crew with tearing down and loading out. We’re asked to only strike the theatre’s equipment and not to touch what the bands bring in.
My down time is during the performances themselves. Because the mixing is supposed to be done a certain way, I have to remain hands off with this process, but I am always asking questions about the process itself and what Lamar is doing in his mixing to try and understand how he goes about it. I am still quite inexperienced with live mixing and engineering, but it is something I still wish to learn down the line, and watching how the mixing is done helps with figuring it out.
This was not exactly the most fun project to tackle, but it is something important. Anything involving organization of equipment is a necessity in theatre.
At Athens Theatre, the equipment for productions is stored in a closet on the house right side. Additionally, there are walls designated for hanging cables and cords. There is a wall that has XLR cables of different lengths and mic stands, and another that has different cords, extension cords, and quad boxes (an electrical box with pairs of outlets, effectively serving as a large extension cord). There is also a closet built into a wall with shelves and felt boxes that hold different pieces of equipment, such as microphones, mic clips, DI units, and digital snakes.
The task I was assigned with went as such:
Test the XLR cables to ensure that they work (there is a cable testing box I was given to make sure that they worked, and I had to make sure that the lights on the cable tester were turned on 1-to-1).
Measure the length of the operative XLR cables.
Mark the XLR cables by length using electrical tape (5-ft to 15-ft cables were marked with orange tape, 20-ft cables with no tape, 25-ft cables with yellow, and 50-ft cables with red).
Attach new velcro straps to the XLR cables by color (same as above, except black velcro straps were used for the 5-ft to 15-ft cables).
Sort XLR cables and arrange them on the wall by length.
Attach new velcro straps to extension cords and quad boxes (blue straps).
Label microphones pouches and place microphones in the corresponding pouches.
This was a project that took a few days to get through with so many steps to take, but keeping the space organized helps things move efficiently. Even though things will need to be reorganized over time, it sets a good precedent to tidy up the space.
This Wednesday, with our agency meeting, is a time for me to catch up on the various projects I’m working on. As always, one thing that stands out in my daily workflow is uploading photos. It’s a constant, standard part of my work routine, something I’ve gotten comfortable with and really enjoy doing.
However, the real challenge comes when it’s time to edit videos. Unlike uploading photos, which is straightforward and simple, video editing requires a lot more time, creativity, and attention to detail. When I first started, I found it daunting—there’s so much more to consider, from pacing and transitions to audio levels and visual effects. It felt like a puzzle that was difficult to solve, but one I knew I had to figure out.
This internship has been a huge learning experience, and each project has taught me something new. With every video I edit, I’ve become more efficient. While I’m still learning, and there’s always room for improvement, it’s been a rewarding journey, and I’m excited to continue growing my skills.
On April 5th, I had the privilege of working Hatter Saturday, which was the final showcase event at Stetson for potential new students. It turned out to be quite a day, starting bright and early at 8 AM. I got to capture the excitement as students and their families signed in and made their way into the gymnasium for the introduction speech by President Roellke and some inspiring guest speakers.
One of the highlights of the day was being able to capture footage of all the student organizations gathered in Palm Court. It was fantastic to watch families explore the diverse clubs and organizations Stetson has to offer at the various tabling stations run by enthusiastic students. The atmosphere was filled with smiles, and it was heartwarming to see the genuine joy from both Stetson students and families alike. I made sure to cover nearly every tabling group, soaking in the vibrant energy.
Another fun moment was when the prospective students had a chance to ring the iconic Stetson bell! Throughout the day, there was plenty of delicious food and live music to enjoy, provided by a talented duo of current Stetson students. Overall, it was a wonderful day filled with excitement and connection, showcasing everything that Stetson has to offer where I could capture great photos and videos of all the memories.
This past March, I had the pleasure of diving into the exciting world of pickleball by attending several club practices. It’s incredible to see how this sport is gaining popularity, and I managed to capture some amazing moments of students jumping into the fun. There’s something special about sharing laughter with friends while getting a solid workout, and that’s just one of the perks of campus life!
On my first visit to a practice, I met the enthusiastic president of the club. She was eager to share the club’s mission and all the exciting activities it offers. I was able to get a quick interview with her before the other participants started to arrive. As practice kicked off, I took the opportunity to snap photos and record videos of the players in action, making sure to capture wide shots and plenty of b-roll featuring all the smiling faces. I ended up staying until the sun set, completely immersed in the fun—it truly felt more like play than work!
A few weeks ago, I decided to shake things up and explore some fun events happening around campus. One of my latest adventures took me to Goat Yoga on Libby Lawn, and let me tell you, it was a blast! A local farmer brought in several adorable goats, and students had the opportunity to sign up for a unique yoga session with these playful creatures. Imagine a peaceful yoga class interrupted by frolicking goats! Students entered a gated area where the goats were free to roam and climb over them, creating some truly delightful and hilarious moments I was able to capture through my camera. The scene was filled with laughter and smiles as everyone embraced this quirky experience. The photos are uploaded to the Stetson University Instagram!
