It will all come together...

The most challenging week of most productions is Tech Week. There are exceptions, but generally speaking the number of components that merge during tech week is exponential and the amount of time all participants must contribute also increases. This can lead to crabbiness, fuzzy-headedness and pure panic. That is the week when you realize that all those little things that looked inconsequential 2 months earlier are a lot bigger when the time has slipped away. You just have to get it done. Once the show opens, it will all be alright. The audiences will clap and the actors will shine and come closing night you will have forgotten how you felt a mere 2 weeks earlier and you will be saying when's the next show?

Come see You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! It opens on Wednesday, July 8th at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9th is 2 for 1 Thursday (at the door). It's great for kids and adults alike. And it will be worth all the trauma of Tech Week!

Practically a Full-Time Job...

It's what I wanted, but I thought I would actually be doing AD-stuff. I spent Sunday afternoon, Tuesday morning, all of Wednesday (Canada Day - and we are talking 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a short break in the early evening), Thursday morning and Friday Morning at the theatre this week. I was painting and/or watching paint dry. The show needed help, and there didn't look to be anyone else to do it (there were 4 other people at various times also painting). That is what it is about. It is about 'no job too big or too small' and it is about pitching in when needed. If I couldn't be there, I wouldn't have been, but I could and it has helped a lot in this situation. I won't always be able to help out in this way, but when I can, I will.

A few other things were completed and screwed up this week. My job, which hours-wise feels full time, seems to be all about trouble-shooting and fixing problems.

Falling Into Place...

it is easy to feel pushed and shoved along by this job. I am at the bottom of a steep learning curve, thinking ahead to next season when I will have more awareness of what is involved so that I can plan for things. This week the focus was on getting the season brochure done and sent to the printer. That should be done now and if all goes well we will be seeing that lovely document on Opening Night of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! I am hoping that I can move some of the media related items back into the Director of Publicity's hands. Unlike the previous AD, I lack a depth of knowledge with regards to all things media related. So, while he was able to handle a lot of those duties, I prefer to give it to the expert to deal with. I want to be consulted on things, but really, once we have the season concept laid out, I only just need to be in the loop. Right?

The other thing I did this week, was secure one of the Dramaturges for the One Acts. I am so excited that we will have Brian Dooley on board. The depth of his experience is phenomenal and whichever lucky playwright gets paired with him will be able to work with a wonderful resource. He is also talking to another Dramaturge that I would be ecstatic to have on the team. I can't say who, until it is confirmed. I am just glad that everything is falling into place (with the help of many phone calls and emails) before September!

Jimmy Dean - A Stellar Cast!

We wrapped up auditions for Jimmy Dean on Monday evening and boy-oh-boy did we see great people. With every thing fresh in mind Wendi was able to cast the show that night so callbacks will be unnecessary. To those who weren't cast. Don't despair. Your time will come. This is a strong cast, but many we did not cast were also quite strong. With the younger/older versions of characters in the play, some choices were guided by physicality. Hopefully those who said they would like to work on the show in another capacity were seriously interested. This will be a fun show to work on in any role. I know from just the two days of auditions that there will be a lot of laughs mixed with serious work!

Jimmy Dean Auditions - part 1

I sat in on the first half of the Jimmy Dean Auditions yesterday. Though the turn-out wasn't huge, it was respectable, and those that did audition were very good. Walterdale certainly has some strong actors in it's membership. To be fair, some of the auditioners were new to Walterdale, but that's a good thing. It means that the membership will grow in size and depth, as I am sure some of the newcomers have a good chance at being cast. We have another round of auditions tonight (anyone is welcome to come out and we will fit you in) and I encourage anyone who wants to be a part of a strong cast to come out. If last night is any indication of what we have to work with, this is going to be a great show! I do not envy Wendi Pope (the director) the job of casting this show as she is going to have to say no to some great people.

Auditions - this weekend!

It's not too late. Auditions for Jimmy Dean are this weekend. Lots of good women's roles (plus one for a guy) and a great director!

Dates and Times and Things to Do...

Board meeting last night. it is a bit of a challenge to wear both hats, but I try to get all my A.D. material done and in my report so that I can focus on the Secretarial duties while at the meeting. The report works like a bit of a checklist for myself as well, because in it I can see what I have done and what is still on the to-do or pending list. One of the big things I am working on is compiling a calendar for the 2 years of my term so that I can hand that to the next A.D. so that they might have a framework from which to approach the theatre. I have a skeletal calendar framed out and gradually I am filling up the days with items as they come. I am also using this as a communication tool with the Directors so that they can see at a glance what is in the space. I don't want them to have any unhappy surprises that will affect their diligent planning!

We have some exciting ideas for membership/community development. One of the ongoing refrains we hear from our members is the need for ongoing social activity in addition to the shows. A member may not be in a show every year, but they still want to see other members. So, we hope to revisit a more social atmosphere at the AGM, as well as incorporating "play reading parties" and a Christmas Variety Show. These are on the table, in any case. The next big thing will be a Season Wrap Party. Stay tuned!