Crewing

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Over the course of the term, we were to undertake crewing responsibilities for the production. Each member would be assigned a specific role such as director, prop master or wardrobe manager. For this production, I was assigned to wardrobe stage left. This responsibility was incorporated into my acting role, as I was mostly responsible for my own costumes only. This role would be performed on top of general crewing, such as being responsible for setting up the stage platforms, seating and placing props and furniture on on stage.

Over the course of the term, we had to figure out how we would perform. Jessi had the idea of setting up a traverse stage, where there raised seating on 2 sides of the stage. She was inspired by the playwright/practitioner, Brecht. However, I found this style felt like an arena, or a natural public setting. The audience were like spectators in a park, or observing an experiment. The small space and number of actors required for the scenes, also made this set up ideal.

We spent time in class figuring out where the stage/seating would be positioned. The positions were marked with tape so it was easier to setup each time. As the theatre is a shared area, with other classes also using the space, each day we had to setup or break down the stage for our production. Over time, we mastered setting up/breakdown the stage, where it simply became part of our warm up routine for the day. The stage platforms were setup on each side of the stage space. Seating would also need to be set up on and in front of the stage for the audience to sit. Safety rails would be attached to the back and sides of the stage. Steps were also used to allow the audience to gain safe access to the stage. We made the theatre accessible by providing space for wheelchair users to comfortably spectate.

We also spent time as a class sorting through the prop room to create space by moving around the various pieces and throwing away what was not needed. Through this, we were able to make the process more efficient and also helped the other classes. This was important as we were able to make the prop room a usable space and enhanced our creative freedom.

During the performance, I was given responsible for adding or removing certain props and set pieces to be used in certain scenes. For Black and White, I needed to bring on a table cloth. I needed to practice this as the cloth was quite rigid and needed to be unfolded in advanced. I would bring on the cloth and place it on the table during the blackout. I was able to execute this every time during the live performance, even though I had forgotten numerous times during rehearsals. It was important that I was able to place the cloth and sit down before lights came on as to maintain the illusion of the character. After the scene, I would leave and then immediately enter costume for 'Trouble in the works'

During 'Trouble in the works' I needed to enter the stage at the end of the previous scene. The most important thing to remember beforehand was to enter with the umbrella, which I had forgotten during rehearsals. I was able to remember to bring it on, as it was essential for the fight scene. At the end of the scene, I needed to bring on a chair for the next scene. I had forgotten many times during rehearsals, but I found that at the end of the scene, when the confrontation ends, I was able to remember to bring on the chair. At the end of the performance, I needed to immediately get into costume for my next scene. This meant sneaking around the back of the stage and remembering to take the shoes for the next scene.

During Applicant, I was to enter from stage right. I had walked behind the back stage without shoes during blackout. I needed to quickly dress into costume. I had to take a clip board and dog clicker before entering the scene. This scene also require me to work with the technician due to the LFX and Sound FX used during the scene, and this had to be choreographed into the performance. Certain effects would be activated at specific times and I needed to ensure that their queues were noticeable and that I was in sync with the sound fx. During my performance I was able to maintain the synchronicity. During one performance the LFX failed for a moment and Jamie and I had to 'work with it' until it activated. At the end of the scene, I had the responsibility to remove the office chair from the scene. Unfortunately, there were maybe 1-2 times that I forgot to remove the chair. This was mostly because I was focused into the performance. Even though I could see the chair, it did not even click to me to remove it. However, I feel I would have rectified this through experience. I also felt I would have benefited from additional tech rehearsal in this regards, so in future I will need to ensure I have some techniques to help me remember the tech part of the performance. Fortunately the chair is already near the edge of the stage and is also easy for someone else to push off stage during blackout.

During the live performance, my individual duty was wardrobe stage left. I need to ensure that also the costumes required for that area, were together and hung behind the screen. Connor required some help getting into costume so I ensured I was always ready to help him with this. Most of the responsibility was for my own costume in this area, as I was mostly the only person changing in this area. Before each performance, I would gather costume and put them together and hung them to ensure they were available for each commencing performance. I also tried to arrange the costumes in order of use, the first scenes the costume placed on top and so on. As the costumes were used, the next available costume would be the one needed next. During one production of Trouble in the works', one of my shoes got damaged to be point where it could not be worn during the performance. I had to then ensure I found an alternative pair of shoes for the next performance.

Although Director Jessi had most say with the costumes, I was able to design and create most of my own costume for my characters. I put most emphasis into First as I had more time to get into costume, but also because the character required more flamboyant and eccentric costume. I had a good idea for the costume and this was in line with the directors vision, so they allowed me to do my work. Costume design is something I enjoy and potentially would like to do more of in future as a role, not just for my own characters.

During the term, I also spent some time working with Richard the technician to help reconfigure the Lighting system. Due to my IT experience, I found that the system was not too overwhelming and uses a basic (but complicated) program to configure the lighting effects for each stage light. I was mostly asked to switch on/off a certain light. Eventually I was able to see a pattern worked out which button corresponded to witch light. The keyboard is paired with a particular light, such as light 18 would have a specific button. This provides control to that specific light, where it can be turned on/off or dimmed. There are also lights with other abilities, such as multiple colours and patterns. These lights are more complex and require additional programming. However, the basic lights are not too difficult to use. It would be interesting to learn more about LFX and set up a Lighting program. Overall, I found the experience was interesting and provided a better understanding of LFX and it capabilities.

Acting and crewing together has it own challenges. During the performance, I am so focused on the situation and character that I found it difficult to remember to remove props/furniture form the scene at the end of the performance. However, I do not feel it would be an issue with extra tech rehearsal. As I liked creating my own costumes, it would be possible for each actor to develop their own costume with space and resources. Overall, the main challenge is simply managing all the instructions. Having to perform three characters, where two costume changes are required on top of stage managing, in a performance was short space between each scene. For example, I had a few minutes to get into a costume for applicant, but it was dark and the shoes were awkward to put on. I think this would become less of a challenge if the difficult variables were changed, such as having additional crew or actors. It would be less challenging for example, if playing one character. I think this production has been a useful experience, because of these challenges. With acting 3 parts, doing multiple crew roles, it sets us up for the future. This production meant we had to spread out our time and energy into many areas. In a job, we may not be asked to take on board so much responsibility in each area. It also shows our capabilities outside of acting. Crewing can be an enjoyable experience, because there is a buzz surrounding the performance. Crew may not be performers and their skills maybe similar to those of everyday jobs, but the mentality of a crew member is probably not far from a performer. They want to be in that industry, hence the people you work with, will make the process enjoyable even if the work is hard. I would consider working just as a crew if I do not move on as a performer.

Production Schedule