And so it begins
Jan. 19th, 2004 09:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jaalaOpera show week has begun in earnest. Load-in took place yesterday. As was required of me, I was part of a group that heaved two platforms into place--rather precariously at this point--on top of their scaffolding bases . There are two platforms, and even the shorter one is high. The 12-foot-high scaffolding is solid, I'm sure, but the plane created when one puts a platform on it is far from level. And the stairs are only supported at their pinnacle, where they are connected to the scaffolding. The crew assures us it will be secure, however. We had to sign waivers absolving the Student Opera Company of any injury, naturally. They don't want us launching lawsuits if we trip.
The theatre itself is, uh, cozy. Of all the actual theatres (as opposed to recital halls) I've performed in, this one has the smallest amount of backstage space. There's no hallway that can fit more than one person across, no green room, no place to warm up aside from the stage itself. The alley leading to the stage door is interesting too. During the day, the colourful graffiti is rather cheering, actually... but we were warned that "there have been problems with bums and junkies in the past."
We do sound checks for--get this (in opera!)--microphones tonight. Apparently, it has been concluded that no one in the audience will hear us in that acoustically dead space unless we're all individually miked. On the upside, this probably means that the sound guy will adjust the balance of the chorus. (On the downside, if that's true it means that if I sing a wrong note everyone will hear it. And one of the two other "tenor"/altos still doesn't know much of the actual part we're supposed to be singing.) My voice has returned for the most part, so I hope I don't blow it again by singing.
We last sang the music on Wednesday and we get one dress rehearsal this coming Wednesday--a week later--before opening night. That's what happens when you are forced to pay unionized theatre workers by the hour, even to sit around and do nothing. (Don't get me wrong. Unions are a good thing. Just not in this particular sort of situation with a cast, crew, and orchestra who are all amateurs.)
Ack... keep getting negative. It's probably because I frankly feel apprehensive as well as excited. For those who don't know: I've experienced musical theatre show weeks many times from the perspective of a player in a pit orchestra, so I already know how addictive the experience can be. I've also sung a couple tiny little chorus parts that both took place mostly off-"stage" (recital hall or church). This is my first time appearing on stage in a theatre and my first time doing anything in a full-length opera. My "character" doesn't even have a name but even the chorus is a bit terrifying for someone as shy as I am. This is a pretty chorus-heavy opera. And, oh yes, our costumes for Acts II and III: form-fitting tank tops. See if you can picture me wearing one of those without being embarrassed. (I thought not.)
(I should be sleeping. I dithered about and avoided completing an assignment long enough that I had to stay awake the rest of the night in order to ensure that I'd get to my morning class.)
The theatre itself is, uh, cozy. Of all the actual theatres (as opposed to recital halls) I've performed in, this one has the smallest amount of backstage space. There's no hallway that can fit more than one person across, no green room, no place to warm up aside from the stage itself. The alley leading to the stage door is interesting too. During the day, the colourful graffiti is rather cheering, actually... but we were warned that "there have been problems with bums and junkies in the past."
We do sound checks for--get this (in opera!)--microphones tonight. Apparently, it has been concluded that no one in the audience will hear us in that acoustically dead space unless we're all individually miked. On the upside, this probably means that the sound guy will adjust the balance of the chorus. (On the downside, if that's true it means that if I sing a wrong note everyone will hear it. And one of the two other "tenor"/altos still doesn't know much of the actual part we're supposed to be singing.) My voice has returned for the most part, so I hope I don't blow it again by singing.
We last sang the music on Wednesday and we get one dress rehearsal this coming Wednesday--a week later--before opening night. That's what happens when you are forced to pay unionized theatre workers by the hour, even to sit around and do nothing. (Don't get me wrong. Unions are a good thing. Just not in this particular sort of situation with a cast, crew, and orchestra who are all amateurs.)
Ack... keep getting negative. It's probably because I frankly feel apprehensive as well as excited. For those who don't know: I've experienced musical theatre show weeks many times from the perspective of a player in a pit orchestra, so I already know how addictive the experience can be. I've also sung a couple tiny little chorus parts that both took place mostly off-"stage" (recital hall or church). This is my first time appearing on stage in a theatre and my first time doing anything in a full-length opera. My "character" doesn't even have a name but even the chorus is a bit terrifying for someone as shy as I am. This is a pretty chorus-heavy opera. And, oh yes, our costumes for Acts II and III: form-fitting tank tops. See if you can picture me wearing one of those without being embarrassed. (I thought not.)
(I should be sleeping. I dithered about and avoided completing an assignment long enough that I had to stay awake the rest of the night in order to ensure that I'd get to my morning class.)
