This image showed up rather randomly on one of my feeds today. And it makes me homesick for the Lab Theatre at UAF (which has a control system like this). And it also makes me contemplative, considering what could be done with a similar system (or equivalent) in another venue that, based on classwork in it, inspires me. That is to say the Green Room for Theatre UAF.
Some little while back (~2 years ago) I submitted a concept to the SDA (the Student Drama Association at UAF) for something called (depending on who you spoke with) either 'The Portable Playhouse Project' or 'Carl's thing'. The idea was to create productions that would be separate from any of the various Winter Shorts productions which the group does on a semi-regular basis, or from the Famous For Fifteen play reading event that the SDA also produces. I was spurred to the idea because it seemed as though there could be much more being done, perhaps even something like weekly (or bi-weekly) showcases. And, admittedly, I was looking for personal opportunities to showcase my work as a director and, more importantly, as a designer.
For various reasons the submission was voted down. After which other issues caused me to put such ideas onto the proverbial 'back burner'. But the flame on that back burner never went out. And after toying with presenting one of them in other venue on campus I have some definitive ideas shaping up that can be produced in room Theatre 101 (ie: the Green Room). So, off and on over the last few months, I've begun to do some pre-production work on these projects. That has included considering the existing technical support structure which is (or was, when last I was on campus) in place in the venue.
I grew into my current theatre knowledge with what some today consider archaic systems. Things like two scene manual preset boards connected to a set of a dozen dimmers. So the idea that that is basically what the Green Room is equipped with and which is used for class purposes (such as Lighting Design classes, etc) doesn't phase me. However seeing the image of this board today reminded me that there are other options. And those include such things as shoebox dimmer packs and laptop based DMX control units. Which, funnily enough, were one of the phases of the 'The Portable Playhouse Project' submission, since the concept was to allow for performances in whatever space might be available (much like the educational touring productions I worked on back at The Little Theatre On The Square, etc).
So as long as I can arrange scholarships/sponsorships/funding to get back to school in the Fall, I intend to reserve the Green Room and produce at least one (and preferably more than one) event/show in it. And if possible I'll use the better aspects of 'The Portable Playhouse Project' concept. Because one of the variety of things I have learned over the years is that research is never really wasted.
Help Me Continue My Educational Momentum
A portfolio of my various work and projects, both theatrical and otherwise.
Details and other ramblings to follow.
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