A question for all of you out there - about how far away from your theatre is the nearest place to buy gaff tape or other miscellaneous theatre goods? Obviously for those of you in the large cities, New York and Las Vegas especially, there's probably a supply store on every street corner. But for those of us who live outside the major cities, how far do you go to get what you need?
What prompted this question: I did a community theatre show a few weeks ago where we rented out an old high school with very limited lighting resources available. On the night of the final dress rehearsal before opening night, I realized that a lamp in one of my FOH instruments had shattered. The theatre had no spare lamps or instruments that weren't already used, and there would have been a large dark area without that instrument. So I had to drive about 2 hours each way to Rochester, NY just to get one $25 lamp. Plus, it gets really annoying to be paying upwards of $10 just on shipping when I need more gaff or spike tape.
I find it hard to believe that there's no closer source, especially since we just got a new Broadway touring house where I live, but so far I haven't found any. On a side note, is there anyone who lives anywhere near to Elmira, NY who knows of a local place?
What prompted this question: I did a community theatre show a few weeks ago where we rented out an old high school with very limited lighting resources available. On the night of the final dress rehearsal before opening night, I realized that a lamp in one of my FOH instruments had shattered. The theatre had no spare lamps or instruments that weren't already used, and there would have been a large dark area without that instrument. So I had to drive about 2 hours each way to Rochester, NY just to get one $25 lamp. Plus, it gets really annoying to be paying upwards of $10 just on shipping when I need more gaff or spike tape.
I find it hard to believe that there's no closer source, especially since we just got a new Broadway touring house where I live, but so far I haven't found any. On a side note, is there anyone who lives anywhere near to Elmira, NY who knows of a local place?