Great River Shakespeare

Things are going really well here. I saw a run through of Mid Summer just the other day, and it is really wonderful. We do three main stage shows in repertory, so for the last 4 weeks myself and the few others that are in the shop have been assembling and fabricating three different sets. Primarily I have been getting experience doing things that I do not get a lot of opportunity to work on at Iowa State such as metal fabrication and pneumatic pistons and such.

One thing that is becoming very evident is that for any one task, there are 100 ways in which it could be accomplished. Some better than others but many just as effective. The biggest issue that arises from that is that everyone around has a different idea of what is proper, rather than what will work and what is the fastest way we can do it. Instead of one person throwing out an idea that works and going with it, everyone gives their opinion and we spend a good chunk of time discussing what we should do, and therefore wasting the time we could be using to get the project done. UGH! It is frustrating, but at the same time it is nice to hear different ideas on how to accomplish something.

Another thing that is brutally clear to me is the need for communication. We, as theatre artists do that very thing for our profession. We communicate with people, yet, there seems to be a great lack of communication within the theatre that increasingly frustrating.

I found out the other day that I will be a follow spot operator for Mid summer which is exciting because I actually get to watch the show. I have to be back stage for Henry though.