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