What to do when waiting for a show to start

[Arez]

@zuixro: That is an awesome piece of software, I just installed it on all of my computers. How did you ever come across that, out of curiousity?

On topic: I like to go to the bathroom. I generally like to take the lightboard's manual with me. Like ship said, it's a good time to learn something new.

I also tend to converse some with the crew we usually have another quick talk about the previous show, go over any special things for the performance again, remind people about [x] after the show (x is equal to party, bar, persons house, strike, notes, cleaning, etc).

[chris325]

If I'm working the board, sometime's I'll look through the board's manual, chat on headset, do homework, and make sure I have all the cues in place. As for working backstage, I usually try to make sure each actor (particularly with middle school shows) has the costuming and props they need. Often times I end up searching for a prop that an actor just realized he/she is missing 2 min. before the show and desperately needs in the first scene. Sometimes I end up just making a new makeshift prop if possible, or grab something out of the storage room. (After a lot of pushing of actors to double check props well before the show starts, this dosen't occur as often.)

[Soxred93]

If I'm at the board, I usually just talk to my friends that walk by (our booth is on the same floor as the auditorium, there's no balcony) for half an hour. If I'm on a board that is just a PC with DMX software installed, I play Solitaire or Spider on it.

[ReiRei]

Well, after I've checked everything that I'm responsible for I usually play a card game with my buddies. There's one in particular that we play, a little violent but awesome. It's pretty addicting and the time passes by quickly. I've forgotten how to play though, it's been so long... I should probably find out how to play that again.

I don't suggest playing any videogames. I've found that it gets a little ridiculous to focus on it if you've got twelve people, who aren't supposed to be in the booth, surrounding you and asking you what you're playing.

[zuixro]

Originally Posted by Arez

That is an awesome piece of software, I just installed it on all of my computers. How did you ever come across that, out of curiousity?

*not sure who you were replying to*

A friend and I were running followspot fora show during school last year. We used our laptops for our cue sheets (with hard copies just in case. Even when the backlight was all the way down, it still let us up, so he told me about that app. It's also great in class when the lights are down.

[ChEk]

A quick review of my notes an ques. Last check of dimmers, amps and other electric equipment. Checking that emergency exits and fire fighting equipment is not blocked back stage and FOH. Short check and summary with the SM and show producer.

After that, get some fresh air if possible, fill my water bottle, pick up some coffe on the way and then off to the booth and stand by

[edmedmoped]

My second post on this thread but if it's like 30 mins before open house, I'm backstage checking our movers/smoke/strobe, doing some last-minute gaffa taping, sitting down if I'm on followspot and someone's nicked my stool again, and that's about it (:

[Arez]

Originally Posted by zuixro

*not sure who you were replying to*

A friend and I were running followspot fora show during school last year. We used our laptops for our cue sheets (with hard copies just in case. Even when the backlight was all the way down, it still let us up, so he told me about that app. It's also great in class when the lights are down.

Sorry, I was talking about you.

[MillburyAuditorium]

Well the sound op is usually backstage checking breakers dimmers and the amps, and then he comes back to the operation area and tests all the mics and is playing waiting music, while hes doing that I make sure the light board is all set and my area is neatly laid out with snacks and drinks (x D) and that my script is there. And also be sure I remberd to make a "bubble affect" on the curtain. I usually then go out into the lobby and great people or just walk around out there, then head to the back stage and check that everything is ready and finalize my cue to start (We have no headsets as you might have read my other posts.) (Which will end this year since we are getting headsets.) and then make my way back to the light board and chit chat with the sound op. Occasionally talking to other people I know come in.

Oh, also, calmly yet assertively, telling people not to cross over to the other side of the theatre using the back walkway where we are situated.

Also, we don't let people sit int he first two rows of seats in front of us just for wires out of the mixer kind of over hang the first, and then the second just for head room and non crowding and what not, so we just tack masking tape and tape off the rows. But my favorite thing is...when people literally climb over or under the tape, and sit down. I mean, really? x D

[edmedmoped]

Originally Posted by MillburyAuditorium

I make sure the light board is all set and my area is neatly laid out with snacks

I hope they're not crunchy!