Recent content by maccor

Having a theatre consultant doesn't guarantee things won't be done incorrectly. From what I could tell on our recent project, the consultant was asked for input on only specific things, not an overall "expert" on the facility. Even with a consultant, we have 30' electrics on a 50' wide...

Just finished helping a student make many cuts while she made a snake terrarium (sp?) for a prop. Started with the score and snap method...worked but is slow. She then took a metal straight edge, clamped it to a benchtop, with the cut line slightly hanging over, and used a jigsaw with a metal...

Just wondering if any high schools out there have had any success 'selling' sponsorship of their season or individual shows? We have a local company sponsor all of our show posters for the year, and I'd like to try and get other companies to 'sponsor' our shows. If you have been successful...

Our season is four "mainstage" productions, 2 musicals and 2 straight shows. If we have a lesson that could be done and it benefits the current production being built, we might do that. As an example, we were doing a unit on flats, and built them to the specs we needed for the show. We also...

It is good to hear about what other schools do. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own world, we forget to explore what others are doing and that they might have some cool things to try... I try to keep set-up of concerts and events to a minimum within the class. While they do provide...

BJH, I teach three levels of tech theatre to high school students. That includes a Career Education (vocational) Entertainment Technology and Technical Theatre program... I would also ask the question "How advanced are your students?". For what equates to a Tech Theatre I class, I teach...

Our high school performing arts center uses Ticketing by Vendini, Box Office Software. Ticket Software. Ticket Printing.. I looked at quite a few systems. One of the big things for me was online ticket buying and how 'user friendly it would be to our patrons. The Vendini site is customized to...

High school here.... We sell only pre-packaged food. What works really well is the 100 calorie pack snacks. Chex Mix, chips, rice krispie treats, Famous Amos Cookies are our best seller (no candy)... The 100 calorie packs are small enough to consume in a 15 minute intermission. For drinks...

Just built one for Pirates of Penzance. We used straight vertical sides, a square stern and curved the bow. Bottom was 3/4" ply, top was 3/4" ply cutout with a square 'hole' where the actors sat (built 2 small slat like benches). Basically built 2 hollywood frames and the benches spanned them...

I second the use of iron-on patches. My curtains are 40+ years old. I've had to use the patches and they work great! They are strong enough to even repair ripped chain pockets. I get the black ones at Wal-Mart (4"X6")and usually cut them in 1/2 or 1/3 length wise. I use a small formica...

I'm looking into getting about 3 moniters for our show choir. Powered speakers would be the most versatile for us. I've got a price on some JBL Eon's, but can't fit them into the budget. Anybody had any experience with Beringer B212A (?)speakers? Like maybe these...

This won't work for cyc's, etc., but.... When I took over at our high school, the legs, borders, and even the grand had tears and rips in them. I'm not that handy with needle and thread, nor did I like the previous fix of "a bunch of really big safety pins". I went to Wal-Mart and bought...

I've got a similiar situation where I need to construct some sort of front 'sound shield' around our pit orchestra. What fabric would you recommend be used? Would it be streched tight or left with folds? I'll only be able to build it 30" tall due to sight lines....Will something that short...

Many years ago, I used a 'tool' to paint wood grain. It was plastic, had a handle and a curved 'plate' with concentric rings (like growth rings on a tree). Probably 5" wide....I remember it having teeth like a comb on one side. You rocked it back and forth while moving it down the...

Depending on the heigth of travel required....I looked into a scissor lift table at Harbor freight. It had about a 24X30 table and the vertical travel was about 30"....operated by a hydraulic "jack". If I remember right, it was about $150. We were going to use it to "raise" a musician for a...