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Throughout my first semester at LaGuardia High School,

I was efficaciously involved in the technical production of my


schools spectacular performance of Guys and Dolls. During the earliest stages of the
production, I was in the Costume Department where I learned how to execute various
stitching techniques. Eventually, I ended up sewing many labels and different kinds of buttons
onto the actual costumes that were to be used in the show.

Following this, I was selected to join the Electrics Department, where I hung up
countless spotlights of various sizes onto rails high above the audience and stage. I learned
how to work the rail system, which is a pulley system of ropes and weights used to fly in
various lighting rails and scenery. I learned how to position and focus a spotlight, and I did so
for many of the lights that were used in the actual performance. I learned how to use various
tools in order to adjust lights and pipes, such as the use of drills for attaching lighting fixtures
onto scenery. I worked on the catwalks in order to ensure the lights were securely hung,
focused, and positioned optimally. I also took the role of the leader in various situations where
I had to structure and assign various tasks to my classmates because their productivity had
become hindered by disorder and confusion. I assisted students in becoming organized.

In addition to working on the hanging and focusing of the individual spotlights
themselves, I also learned how to use the state-of-the-art Eos Lightboard by ETC, which uses
both analog and touchscreen technology to program and work the various types of spotlights,
including moving lights. I thus learned how to initiate standard lights and how to control
moving lights straight from the board. I also became familiar with older models of lightboards,
which I will probably encounter more often in future productions. Additionally, I worked with
various lighting accessories, such as gels, tophats, and data cables, and I learned how to tie
tie-line using the efficient clovehitch method. Ive thus tied countless cables using this
technique in order to conceal them for the performance. My instructors in the Electrics
Department were Keith Truax, Farley Whitfield, and Brian Sciarra. Ive also worked closely
with Max Schaffer, an upperclassman who was the chief lighting assistant for Guys and Dolls.

Although I was not officially in the Scenery Department, I worked closely with the
production of scenery as well. Under the command of Christian Crum, I participated in
removing and carrying heavy sets of scenery, physically and visually renovating the
woodwork, and securely attaching the various pieces of scenery onto the rail system. I
personally diamond-plated sewer stairs, constructed metal supports for various sets,
revamped platforms, and grinded steel with a grinder. I learned about the various types of
sheet goods, stick goods, and soft goods, and I studied the woodworking involved in
building scenic sets for future performances. Overall, I had a very productive semester.

Please contact Keith Truax Farley Whitfield
the following people 518 253-0093 646 382-3010
for more information. keith@keithtruax.com farleywhitfield@yahoo.com


LaGuardia High School Concert Hall

December 2011

Directed by Harry Shifman

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