2008
Hello Long-Lost Readers.
I've been shameful about updating my livejournal. More than normal. Although I will have you know that I read all of your posts - even if I rarely comment. Anyways those of you that properly stalk me on facebook probably know what I've been up to but just in case here's a summary of the past almost-year. Mainly being preserved so I can look back in later years and remember ;-)
January
-Started doing consultant work for an awesome acapella group called Ball in the House (their biggest claim to fame is that they sing the Cool Whip song - but they also write a lot of original music and are great guys beyond that)
-Had a show at Green Street that I was not in charge of, and let a lot of things slide under from my control. Met with the executive director to tighten up our policies
February
-Went on tour in NJ with the acapella group for 3 days to see what kind of spaces they work in, and get an idea of time/people/equipment they are working with. Ended up lighting their big concert on the last day (with no color - apparently all the gels were at the other theatre where the guy worked - but other than that it looked good)
-Took an overnight train from Trenton, NJ (not a great place at night!) back to Boston so I could check in on the set for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Brookwood
-lit Steel Magnolias at Fiddlehead - simple lighting, really well done show. Made me tear up every time.
-designed The Philip Project at Green Street - my first dance installation. Turned out really nice. The ending was particularly magical. Forgot my camera on multiple occasions, which was highly unfortunate.
-Spent a lot of time at Brookwood finishing the set for Charlie and then loaded in lights and spent a lot of time cueing
March
-Spent my traditional week in Manchester running the Brookwood show. Had another mini Phil-induced heart attack on the Monday rehearsal....as always :-P
-Ran my first show at Green Street that I was not the designer for. The designer ended up being the ME from Portland Stage - aka Stephen's boss the previous year. So that was fun. Also a great company and a good set of work.
-Learned to crochet. Started a blanket as a Christmas present for my sister.
April
-Designed a concert for Ball in the House in NYC. With Tracklights. For industry professionals. Oh, well at least they had color this time.
-Lit Crazy for You at Fiddlehead. Brought back many memories from High School. Good show. Had the marvelous Amy White as my Spot Op.
-Had Cate's birthday dinner at 2a the day after her birthday, after a very long final dress rehearsal and the longest commuter ride from Norwood EVER. Then proceeded to pack before I....
-Went to Bristol, PA (outside Philly, right on the river) to assist Scott (Pinkney) on Dear World. Had a great time. Stayed at the "tech house" with the TD, ASM, Paint Charge, and Sound Technician...and the Choreographer who lived in the apartment above with his two pugs. Wonderful people, some great nights with a grill & drinks, and a good show. They asked me back to do their winter musicale but I was booked - hoping I can go back this summer!
May
-Returned early from Bristol to head to Portland to see Doubt (that Stephen was sound designing - Lynn, the designer from Monmouth, was lighting, and Sally Wood, one of the best people ever, was directing)
-In between Bristol and Portland stayed home for a night & met up with Galina, who was visiting. Managed to have a horiffic allergy attack from something I ate at brunch (think it was a specific grain in the bread, but never actually figured out exactly what - need to though - it was bad) which prevented me from going straight to Portland.
-Did manage to make it to Doubt, and caught up with a lot of great people finally met Anita Stewart - artistic director of Portland Stage - who started out as a scenic designer (how cool is that?!)
-Designed a show (or 2?) at Green Street.
-Squeaks and her fiance Sean came to visit, which was wonderful. Millie enjoyed them especially.
-Was offered an assistant design position for the Jeanette Neill Dance Studio, working under Nancy Goldstein. I'd heard Nancy's name thrown around a lot before but had never met her. Had to drop assisting John Cuff, which was sad - but it turned out to be a great experience. Learned that I can design in blind effectively.
June
-moved to Cate's room (when she left for Monmouth). Set up my old bedroom as an office
-Found a lovely beach in Manchester - went twice, once for Jenny's birthday and once for Stephen's/mine 2 year anniversary :-)
-designed the Boston Gay Men's Chorus Concert (extrABBAganza) in the Majestic (making it my 4th Maj - hellz yea!). 3 foot disco ball (HUGE. cost more than a moving light to rent) plus 5 regular sized ones. 3 Mac 2000. Couldn't find a programmer that was available the whole time - so I had help getting them set up but then programmed everything myself (on an Obsession II). Really good learning experience. And the show rocked, if I do say so myself.
-At the same time, I also reworked The Philip Project, which was doing an encore at GSS. Since that show has a bunch of discoballs, it was ironic that it was at the same time. Stephen had to actually run the show for me though.
-Designed Outbound for Kee Chin at the Dance Complex, around the corner from Green Street. Some really really cool pieces - and some awesome pictures.
July
-I would have been going to the O'Neill Playwrighting Conference in CT (the fellowship I won two years ago at ACTF) but the funding fell through because I deferred :-( so instead I...
-Got my driver's permit....again (the good news is I have been driving more this time and it's a lot easier than before)
-Hemmed a lot of pants and did a lot of distressing for Libby, who was designing costumes for Assasins (without a shop or a real assistant)
-"Designed" High School Musical at Fiddlehead, without ever attending rehearsal or reading the script.
-Went to Peak's Island with Stephen for his family's reunion. Prior to this I had met his uncle, aunt and cousin who live in Portland. This trip I met his father and sister, plus 2 additional uncles/aunts, and 7 cousins. All of whom were very nice and welcoming. Kayaked for the first time (in the ocean even).
-Came back and did a dance show at Green Street. Wasn't the designer - but it was a nice designer I had worked with before. The show was a really cool blend of traditional African and modern.
-Returned to Maine to visit Monmouth. Reconnected with a lot of people - had a great time, but didn't regret my decision not to work their over the summer (they had offered me the ME position again). Still, really glad I was able to visit.
-John and Libby met me (and Cate) in Monmouth and then the three of us proceeded to Acadia. Didn't climb Beehive Mountain again, but did do the one next to it.
August
-Bemoaned the fact that I had gotten barely anything done on my to do list :-P
-Helped Ball in the House at a concert. Too bad we couldn't get the projector to work and their wasn't a good way to control the lights. However, I did finally get them a tech package they can send to spaces so hopefully they will have better lit concerts in the future.
-Flew to Vancouver to spend some time with my family. Took a tour of the house they wanted to buy (huge thing for us, we've always rented). Ended up being around when they put in their offer, did counters and got accepted. Super exciting!
-Somehow still managed to not get nearly enough done. Although I did get a lot better at MarioKart Wii.
-Helped Cate move out. Helped Stephen move in. Helped Jenny change apartments. Thus even though I didn't move, I still payed my moving penance for the year ;-)
September
-Got back into the swing of things - a couple short shows at Green Street, rehearsals for Fiddlehead and Shakespeare Now
-Officially decided to wait another year before applying to Grad School. Want to save up some more money (and there was little chance I would have gotten everything ready for my applications in time!)
-Designed the Workstudy Concert for Green Street (aptly titled Blood, Sweat and Tears). Was great seeing all the people I work with all the time actually dance!
-Designed the set for Lion King (Brookwood's show in March). Also got roped into co-designing costumes with Libby (which recently fell through - sad for Libby, ok for me since I'm also doing lights)
October
-Designed Fiddler on the Roof at Fiddlehead. Remembered what a beautiful, well written show that is. Probably my favorite design post college - rented two VL1000s, and did some really pretty sunrises/sunsets, among other things.
*It's funny to me that this was basically all I did in October. But it was a huge show and I was basically in tech for 2 weeks. And I technically started R&J for Shakes Now at the end of the month
November
-Designed Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare Now at MassArt. Was better this time around knowing the space and the people better.
-Voted for Obama. HELLZ YEA! Actually, I think everyone/everything I voted for went through.
-Got a new phone - broke the antenna on my old one at the end of October and had about half the service. SUCKED. Upgraded to a shiny Blackberry so now I feel all business professional and ridiculous.
-Had a "week off" and then designed Romeo and Juliet for Fiddlehead. Compeltely different concept. Can't say I recommend doing the same show in a row. Although I did manage to cue an actor without looking at my script (the SM was caught up in cues at that point).
-Had a show at GSS that neither I or Kirsten (who's been my awesome subsitute this fall) was in charge of. Went disasterously. However it means that I am now getting paid to do maintenance hours every month, which is a very good thing.
-After a lot of time during previous months spent on the set and costumes for Lion King, spent about a day on lights and got it totally taken care of until we get into early February. Oy!
-Went to Stephen's family's in upstage NY for Thanksgiving. Met his mom, his dog and another aunt. Was wonderful.
December
-Assisted Nancy again on the JNDS Winter show. Designed more pieces and took more responsibilty. Again, a good experience
-Went straight into tech for Oliver at Fiddlehead. The show itself is a little weird (the movie did a good job focusing it in) - but it looked really good.
-Also found out that we got part of a grant we applied for at Fiddlehead, so they are buying me one (maybe 2) moving lights! Hopefully before Grand Night at the end of January
-Attended rehearsals for Crying Deer, my next show - an experimental theatre piece that goes up at the BCA Jan 6. I had my doubts at first, but I think it's going to be a really awesome show, esp if they get the right audience.
-Bought my bridesmaid dress for Squeak's wedding in March. Very pretty.
-Went to NYC with John and Libby. Saw Equus (Daniel Radcliffe naked - woah!) and Mary Poppins (ok parts of it were sappy and parts were magical). Drove through a beautiful Narnia like forest on the way there. Saw Santa peeing in the street, another smoking a cigarette - and then a whole gaggle of drunken Santas. Met up with Kris Orlando and Jes Halm - who randomly have a lighting designer friend in common, besides me! Had a delicious lunch in Chinatown. Enjoyed some good drinks at a bar. And enjoyed meeting John's very hyper pit bull Sarah (named for the auspicious Palin).
-Finished my parents' blanket just before I flew to Canada for Christmas. Had finished my sister's in August. The boys got a Wii game instead, but I don't think either minded.
-Flew to Seattle, got in 2 hours late - Mom and Dad picked me up and drove through the icky weather home to our new house. Luckily though, I picked the best day to travel. Hopefully the same will be true when I fly back to Boston this coming Tuesday.
-Had a very nice Christmas with the family. Lots of snow. My family now owns a Wii at my recommendation. Got my ass kicked by my brothers at MarioKart (my parents gave it to them as a very early Christmas present last month)
So that's about where we are. Was quite a year. And of course, not everything was great all the time. Plenty of stress and tears and all that. But all in all a really great year. 2009 is shaping up alright thus far - I have a bunch of shows coming up - booked mostly solid through the end of May. However, I am taking a slight break and flying to Florida for a week in mid January to visit my grandparents. Then am spending 2 weeks in SoCal in March for the wedding. So So SO looking forward to both of those trips. Beyond that the future is up in the air, although I will be in Boston, presumbaly working at GSS still, designing the season at Fiddlehead, as well as whatever else comes my way.
Here's hoping more good things from the year to come!! Happy 2009 to all of you!
I've been shameful about updating my livejournal. More than normal. Although I will have you know that I read all of your posts - even if I rarely comment. Anyways those of you that properly stalk me on facebook probably know what I've been up to but just in case here's a summary of the past almost-year. Mainly being preserved so I can look back in later years and remember ;-)
January
-Started doing consultant work for an awesome acapella group called Ball in the House (their biggest claim to fame is that they sing the Cool Whip song - but they also write a lot of original music and are great guys beyond that)
-Had a show at Green Street that I was not in charge of, and let a lot of things slide under from my control. Met with the executive director to tighten up our policies
February
-Went on tour in NJ with the acapella group for 3 days to see what kind of spaces they work in, and get an idea of time/people/equipment they are working with. Ended up lighting their big concert on the last day (with no color - apparently all the gels were at the other theatre where the guy worked - but other than that it looked good)
-Took an overnight train from Trenton, NJ (not a great place at night!) back to Boston so I could check in on the set for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Brookwood
-lit Steel Magnolias at Fiddlehead - simple lighting, really well done show. Made me tear up every time.
-designed The Philip Project at Green Street - my first dance installation. Turned out really nice. The ending was particularly magical. Forgot my camera on multiple occasions, which was highly unfortunate.
-Spent a lot of time at Brookwood finishing the set for Charlie and then loaded in lights and spent a lot of time cueing
March
-Spent my traditional week in Manchester running the Brookwood show. Had another mini Phil-induced heart attack on the Monday rehearsal....as always :-P
-Ran my first show at Green Street that I was not the designer for. The designer ended up being the ME from Portland Stage - aka Stephen's boss the previous year. So that was fun. Also a great company and a good set of work.
-Learned to crochet. Started a blanket as a Christmas present for my sister.
April
-Designed a concert for Ball in the House in NYC. With Tracklights. For industry professionals. Oh, well at least they had color this time.
-Lit Crazy for You at Fiddlehead. Brought back many memories from High School. Good show. Had the marvelous Amy White as my Spot Op.
-Had Cate's birthday dinner at 2a the day after her birthday, after a very long final dress rehearsal and the longest commuter ride from Norwood EVER. Then proceeded to pack before I....
-Went to Bristol, PA (outside Philly, right on the river) to assist Scott (Pinkney) on Dear World. Had a great time. Stayed at the "tech house" with the TD, ASM, Paint Charge, and Sound Technician...and the Choreographer who lived in the apartment above with his two pugs. Wonderful people, some great nights with a grill & drinks, and a good show. They asked me back to do their winter musicale but I was booked - hoping I can go back this summer!
May
-Returned early from Bristol to head to Portland to see Doubt (that Stephen was sound designing - Lynn, the designer from Monmouth, was lighting, and Sally Wood, one of the best people ever, was directing)
-In between Bristol and Portland stayed home for a night & met up with Galina, who was visiting. Managed to have a horiffic allergy attack from something I ate at brunch (think it was a specific grain in the bread, but never actually figured out exactly what - need to though - it was bad) which prevented me from going straight to Portland.
-Did manage to make it to Doubt, and caught up with a lot of great people finally met Anita Stewart - artistic director of Portland Stage - who started out as a scenic designer (how cool is that?!)
-Designed a show (or 2?) at Green Street.
-Squeaks and her fiance Sean came to visit, which was wonderful. Millie enjoyed them especially.
-Was offered an assistant design position for the Jeanette Neill Dance Studio, working under Nancy Goldstein. I'd heard Nancy's name thrown around a lot before but had never met her. Had to drop assisting John Cuff, which was sad - but it turned out to be a great experience. Learned that I can design in blind effectively.
June
-moved to Cate's room (when she left for Monmouth). Set up my old bedroom as an office
-Found a lovely beach in Manchester - went twice, once for Jenny's birthday and once for Stephen's/mine 2 year anniversary :-)
-designed the Boston Gay Men's Chorus Concert (extrABBAganza) in the Majestic (making it my 4th Maj - hellz yea!). 3 foot disco ball (HUGE. cost more than a moving light to rent) plus 5 regular sized ones. 3 Mac 2000. Couldn't find a programmer that was available the whole time - so I had help getting them set up but then programmed everything myself (on an Obsession II). Really good learning experience. And the show rocked, if I do say so myself.
-At the same time, I also reworked The Philip Project, which was doing an encore at GSS. Since that show has a bunch of discoballs, it was ironic that it was at the same time. Stephen had to actually run the show for me though.
-Designed Outbound for Kee Chin at the Dance Complex, around the corner from Green Street. Some really really cool pieces - and some awesome pictures.
July
-I would have been going to the O'Neill Playwrighting Conference in CT (the fellowship I won two years ago at ACTF) but the funding fell through because I deferred :-( so instead I...
-Got my driver's permit....again (the good news is I have been driving more this time and it's a lot easier than before)
-Hemmed a lot of pants and did a lot of distressing for Libby, who was designing costumes for Assasins (without a shop or a real assistant)
-"Designed" High School Musical at Fiddlehead, without ever attending rehearsal or reading the script.
-Went to Peak's Island with Stephen for his family's reunion. Prior to this I had met his uncle, aunt and cousin who live in Portland. This trip I met his father and sister, plus 2 additional uncles/aunts, and 7 cousins. All of whom were very nice and welcoming. Kayaked for the first time (in the ocean even).
-Came back and did a dance show at Green Street. Wasn't the designer - but it was a nice designer I had worked with before. The show was a really cool blend of traditional African and modern.
-Returned to Maine to visit Monmouth. Reconnected with a lot of people - had a great time, but didn't regret my decision not to work their over the summer (they had offered me the ME position again). Still, really glad I was able to visit.
-John and Libby met me (and Cate) in Monmouth and then the three of us proceeded to Acadia. Didn't climb Beehive Mountain again, but did do the one next to it.
August
-Bemoaned the fact that I had gotten barely anything done on my to do list :-P
-Helped Ball in the House at a concert. Too bad we couldn't get the projector to work and their wasn't a good way to control the lights. However, I did finally get them a tech package they can send to spaces so hopefully they will have better lit concerts in the future.
-Flew to Vancouver to spend some time with my family. Took a tour of the house they wanted to buy (huge thing for us, we've always rented). Ended up being around when they put in their offer, did counters and got accepted. Super exciting!
-Somehow still managed to not get nearly enough done. Although I did get a lot better at MarioKart Wii.
-Helped Cate move out. Helped Stephen move in. Helped Jenny change apartments. Thus even though I didn't move, I still payed my moving penance for the year ;-)
September
-Got back into the swing of things - a couple short shows at Green Street, rehearsals for Fiddlehead and Shakespeare Now
-Officially decided to wait another year before applying to Grad School. Want to save up some more money (and there was little chance I would have gotten everything ready for my applications in time!)
-Designed the Workstudy Concert for Green Street (aptly titled Blood, Sweat and Tears). Was great seeing all the people I work with all the time actually dance!
-Designed the set for Lion King (Brookwood's show in March). Also got roped into co-designing costumes with Libby (which recently fell through - sad for Libby, ok for me since I'm also doing lights)
October
-Designed Fiddler on the Roof at Fiddlehead. Remembered what a beautiful, well written show that is. Probably my favorite design post college - rented two VL1000s, and did some really pretty sunrises/sunsets, among other things.
*It's funny to me that this was basically all I did in October. But it was a huge show and I was basically in tech for 2 weeks. And I technically started R&J for Shakes Now at the end of the month
November
-Designed Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare Now at MassArt. Was better this time around knowing the space and the people better.
-Voted for Obama. HELLZ YEA! Actually, I think everyone/everything I voted for went through.
-Got a new phone - broke the antenna on my old one at the end of October and had about half the service. SUCKED. Upgraded to a shiny Blackberry so now I feel all business professional and ridiculous.
-Had a "week off" and then designed Romeo and Juliet for Fiddlehead. Compeltely different concept. Can't say I recommend doing the same show in a row. Although I did manage to cue an actor without looking at my script (the SM was caught up in cues at that point).
-Had a show at GSS that neither I or Kirsten (who's been my awesome subsitute this fall) was in charge of. Went disasterously. However it means that I am now getting paid to do maintenance hours every month, which is a very good thing.
-After a lot of time during previous months spent on the set and costumes for Lion King, spent about a day on lights and got it totally taken care of until we get into early February. Oy!
-Went to Stephen's family's in upstage NY for Thanksgiving. Met his mom, his dog and another aunt. Was wonderful.
December
-Assisted Nancy again on the JNDS Winter show. Designed more pieces and took more responsibilty. Again, a good experience
-Went straight into tech for Oliver at Fiddlehead. The show itself is a little weird (the movie did a good job focusing it in) - but it looked really good.
-Also found out that we got part of a grant we applied for at Fiddlehead, so they are buying me one (maybe 2) moving lights! Hopefully before Grand Night at the end of January
-Attended rehearsals for Crying Deer, my next show - an experimental theatre piece that goes up at the BCA Jan 6. I had my doubts at first, but I think it's going to be a really awesome show, esp if they get the right audience.
-Bought my bridesmaid dress for Squeak's wedding in March. Very pretty.
-Went to NYC with John and Libby. Saw Equus (Daniel Radcliffe naked - woah!) and Mary Poppins (ok parts of it were sappy and parts were magical). Drove through a beautiful Narnia like forest on the way there. Saw Santa peeing in the street, another smoking a cigarette - and then a whole gaggle of drunken Santas. Met up with Kris Orlando and Jes Halm - who randomly have a lighting designer friend in common, besides me! Had a delicious lunch in Chinatown. Enjoyed some good drinks at a bar. And enjoyed meeting John's very hyper pit bull Sarah (named for the auspicious Palin).
-Finished my parents' blanket just before I flew to Canada for Christmas. Had finished my sister's in August. The boys got a Wii game instead, but I don't think either minded.
-Flew to Seattle, got in 2 hours late - Mom and Dad picked me up and drove through the icky weather home to our new house. Luckily though, I picked the best day to travel. Hopefully the same will be true when I fly back to Boston this coming Tuesday.
-Had a very nice Christmas with the family. Lots of snow. My family now owns a Wii at my recommendation. Got my ass kicked by my brothers at MarioKart (my parents gave it to them as a very early Christmas present last month)
So that's about where we are. Was quite a year. And of course, not everything was great all the time. Plenty of stress and tears and all that. But all in all a really great year. 2009 is shaping up alright thus far - I have a bunch of shows coming up - booked mostly solid through the end of May. However, I am taking a slight break and flying to Florida for a week in mid January to visit my grandparents. Then am spending 2 weeks in SoCal in March for the wedding. So So SO looking forward to both of those trips. Beyond that the future is up in the air, although I will be in Boston, presumbaly working at GSS still, designing the season at Fiddlehead, as well as whatever else comes my way.
Here's hoping more good things from the year to come!! Happy 2009 to all of you!