Week 2: Behind the Scenes

Hey, it's Paige again! I'm enjoying my second week at Tibbits even more than my first; I didn't think that was possible. I began my second week back in the office, writing another press release. This time, it was for the next Popcorn Theatre show: "Abracadabra Magic Show," featuring different magicians at each performance. Then I helped Lori (special events coordinator) make some business calls regarding business promotion letters she sent out last week. Luckily, the second day a couple businesses said they would love to help support the Tibbits Restoration Project!

On Tuesday I got the chance to sit in on one of the rehearsals for the next Summer Theatre show, "Working" by Stephen Schwartz. I went over to the Pansophia Academy gymnasium to observe the blocking rehearsal for a couple hours. Everything was moving really quickly. The actors were working on something the entire time, whether it was choreography, music, or just memorizing lines. In the two hours I was there in the morning, the cast worked its way through three or four songs. I was really impressed. The actors' voices are amazing. During the rehearsal for one of the full cast numbers I literally got goose bumps as they were singing. I came back to watch some of the evening rehearsal that night, too. By the time I left, the entire first act was blocked! I've never seen such a productive day of rehearsals.

Yesterday was the coolest day, by far. Before the matinee performance of "Out of Order" I got to watch some of the tech run throughs with the window set piece. For those of you who haven't seen the show, throughout the course of the play, the window in the hotel suite randomly slams shut on people, knocking them out momentarily. So I got to watch as each of the actors who encounter the unpredictable window took turns having the set piece fall on them. Mark is in charge of working the trigger release for the window. In addition to that, he has to time the "slap stick", which is two 2 x 4's that have been hinged together. He slaps the two wooden pieces together as the window falls to create the loud sound the audience hears as the window slams shut. When I watched this show last week from the audience, I wondered how the window operated. So watching this run through was really fascinating.

Then I was fortunate enough to get the chance to watch the entire show from backstage! But, not only did I get to watch the show, I also got a headset so I could hear the "headset chatter" between Carrie, the stage manager, and the other techies as she called out cues for lights, sound, and the window. I sat backstage the entire show, beaming from ear to ear. I'm no stranger to being backstage, but sitting through a professional show while wearing a headset was probably the coolest thing I've ever done. Every time an actor walked past me they would give me a huge smile and a thumbs up, just getting pumped up for the afternoon's performance. This experience really got me excited for a couple years down the road when I'm able to partake in professional summer theatre productions like this. The cast put on a great show yesterday, and I couldn't have been happier with my seat.

Tomorrow I'll be back in the box office for the Popcorn Theatre show in the morning, and I'm looking forward to that and the rest of the things I'll be doing to finish up my internship at Tibbits. I've really fallen in love with this institution over the past two weeks and I know that I will return to help out in any way possible for next summer's season!

In the Office Part II

Paige, again. The rest of my first week at Tibbits was just as good as the beginning. I've worked in the box office with Jackson twice since Steve showed me the ropes on Wednesday morning. The first was for opening night of "Out of Order," which was a great success. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to sit in on a rehearsal and the matinee for this show. It was absolutely hilarious. The actors did an amazing job, as did the tech crew. I don't know that I have ever heard such genuine laughter coming from an audience before. I highly suggest you come to see the show! I also worked in the box office for this morning's Popcorn Theatre show, "Sleeping Beauty." I didn't get to see this show, but I know the kids were all smiling when they were exiting the theatre.

At the matinee for "Out of Order" yesterday I also job shadowed one of the house managers to get a feel for what they do. The house manager, as well as all of the ushers, were extremely kind and helpful. They taught me about the house seating and even let me seat a few people on my own. Then at intermission they showed me the small concession stand downstairs in the art gallery, along with the gift shop. After the show was over, I joined the ushers in helping to pick up any trash and programs that had been left behind.

Finishing up the week, I helped with some smaller things, like fundraising mail. I also finished up gathering info on the acts that will be booked during the winter season. All in all, my experience here at Tibbits has been wonderful; far better than I ever imagined. I've learned so much from so many amazing people in the past five days. In fact, it was so great that I've decided to stay and work another week!

In the Office

Hi, it's Paige. This week I've been interning in the Tibbits Office. In high school, I was heavily involved in theatre as an actress and choreographer, but never experienced the other various aspects of the trade. As a future Theatre major at Michigan State University I wanted to learn more about the management side of the business. Luckily I was given the chance to experience this first hand at this amazing historical theatre.

My first day began with a detailed tour of the building, starting with the exterior, which is currently being restored to its original appearance when it opened in 1882. Chris Delaney, the Executive Director, showed me around the rest of the building giving me tons of historical information and fun tid-bits about the opera house. The tour ended in the Tibbits Business Office where I met the people I would be working with for the week.

Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. I was greeted with a smile by all. I have never met a group of people so friendly. Also, everyone in this office seems to genuinely enjoy working here, something that can't be said for the staff in most office buildings. They have made my time here much easier and more enjoyable.

I started my first day by writing a press release for Tibbits' final 2011 summer show, "Working." I had never written a press release, but again, the office staff was very patient as I asked a ton of questions about what should and shouldn't be included. It made my first experience less nerve wracking, knowing that people were there to help me out with anything I needed.

Since Monday, I have also called agents to gather info about booking their clients for shows during the winter season, learned to update calendars, and made phone calls to help out with a Tibbits Restoration advertisement opportunity with yard signs. I never realized how much was involved in the management side of things.

In addition to this, I've attended a couple meetings. The first was a small Arts Alive meeting held in the art gallery under the theatre. Here I learned a little about the ways in which this group of artists supports itself and its dealings with Tibbits. Today I attended a finance meeting to observe, since I'd never been to a finance meeting before. Both meetings were very informational and helped me to understand how everything works together around here.

Today I also worked in the box office for two hours and learned how tickets are reserved and sold. I didn't know what to expect, Steve was really funny and relaxed, andI actually had a lot of fun. I look forward to working in the box office tomorrow night for the opening night of "Out of Order" and later in the week for the Popcorn Theatre show.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of my week here at Tibbits. I've already learned so much about theatre management and I'm getting to experience so many different aspects of the management side. I'm so glad that I've been given this opportunity. I now have a new-found respect for the amount of work that the office staff does to ensure that the theatre stays up and running.

The Importance of Lighting with Jeff Hannah

Photos Courtesy of Stephanie Burdick

Hi everyone! It is Alexandra Lyon. I am back! Well, this summer at Tibbits has been just fantastic. In my opinion, the shows are the best they have ever been. After watching “The Full Monty,” it is very obvious that lighting is extremely important. I figured this was an opportune time to interview lighting designer Jeffery Hannah, and learn a bit more about lighting.

Jeff graduated from the University of Illinois with a master’s degree in lighting design and an undergraduate degree in acting. Jeff has been involved with theater his entire life; but he began working in technical theater during college. Jeff volunteered to be a master electrician on a show with no prior experience. By taking this leap into lighting, he began a new career in theater.

The average theatre attendee does not know much about Jeff’s line of work. His job, in a nutshell, is to take a blank theater and use lighting to create time, emotion and many other factors. All of the lighting must come together for an overall look for the show. Jeff stated that lighting for plays, musicals, and dance must enhance the show, but not overpower it.

This is Jeff’s second year working with Tibbits. He has really enjoyed working here and overcoming the challenges of a small, old theater. One of the challenges includes strange sight lines. This makes getting the perfect lighting extremely difficult. He also praised the fact that Tibbits has many good tools for lighting, which is unusual in theaters the size of Tibbits. Sometimes the unique set causes problems which later become good memories from which to learn. Jeff says that lighting plots start out with a guess of what will work for the theater. In the 2010 Tibbits production of “Crazy for You,” Jeff created a lighting plot and upon testing, realized he didn’t have strong enough lights to create a certain look. So, he had to go back and rethink how to create the same feel using different lighting techniques.

For Jeff, there is not one particular show that he would like to try his hand at lighting. He is willing to work on any project that comes his way. “With lighting,” he says, “each kind of production (play, musical, and dance) is very different.” While he enjoys change, it is also very difficult to bounce between the types of performances.

Jeff Hannah is the lighting designer for this summer’s production of “The Full Monty.” Before starting this show, he did not watch or reference other productions of “The Full Monty.” (However, he does admit to seeing the movie many years ago.) Jeff simply used what the script said and his own ideas. He started with twelve lights to illuminate the final scene and when this was tested the actors were still very exposed. Jeff went back to the drawing board and used many hours of collaboration to finally get it right.

I hope you have enjoyed learning more about the difficult job of a lighting designer. One piece of advice from Jeff to all aspiring theater people… both sides of theater (acting and technical) should be explored and tried. This way each side can respect and understand the other.