Through the run of The Full Monty, my focus has been mostly on the sound aspect of things. However, there are limitations with how the shows are to be run that have prevented me from being hands on with that part. But, now that Grease is opening, the page is turning and I have the opportunity to diversify my skillset. Someone once told me that theatres like to hire people that are multifaceted and can be assign to different areas.

I did some small things to help with setting up for the shows, the first of which was cleaning. With time constraints on one of the days I was there, I was able to help by tossing pieces of wood that were not going to be used for building, and I was able to help with sweeping sawdust off of the stage. On another day, my time was mostly spent with helping set the band up for the show, as well as making prop sandwiches out of wood blocks and wax paper.

Above all of this though, the highlight of this week was on Monday, when I was asked to help out backstage as part of the run crew. This was the most hands on with a run that I have been up to this point, and it felt good to switch things up. I was tasked with doing specific things that wouldn’t interrupt the flow of things, since run crew is a dicey thing to get suddenly dropped into. It’s something that could cause me to very easily get in the way, so I needed to be intentional and quick about what I was doing. It is a systematic role and such an important one to the show. The stage manager, Avery, gave me a copy of the sheet that lists what has to be moved when and where. Although I do not know if I will be placed in that position again since Grease has now opened, it is a good token to have for documentation purposes, and a good outline to look at for if I ever be a part of a run crew in the future.

This is only the start to what is a new avenue in my technical theatre experience. It is very beneficial for me to be spreading my wings and learning about different aspects of how the shows are put together. I was unable to attend opening night of Grease due to a choir performance I was a part of, but I am returning to Athens Theatre this evening, and I was told that I was to be working with one of the house managers, so I am adding another wrinkle to my arsenal in working in a theatre.