Tech Week

I am very new to the whole theater experience as I never did it as a kid, or an adult so it is all new to me! When Allison was in Jungle Book Kids, she had a small non-speaking part and it was a big commitment. But now as a main role in this show, she has had to work a lot harder. Allison has been rehearsing for the show since October, but all of the rehearsals are "closed" and we just drop her off and pick her up. She gives us information and we are in contact with the Director and Stage Manager via email, and small talk at drop off and pick up, but that is all. So when it was time for tech week, (all of the rehearsals) the week before the show, I was happy to volunteer to work in the Green Room. It was such a fun experience to get to know the kids in the cast that Allison has been talking about so fondly for the last 4 months. They are truly amazing kids!  They are all kind, supportive and very responsible. They are responsible for getting dressed in the right costume, making costume changes, checking their props, going on stage at the right time, remembering their lines, choreography, and all stage directions. It is mind boggling watching them. The crew is also amazing. They all dedicate their time to making the props, sets, lighting, sound, etc... and then they make it all come together during tech week. It is a cool process to watch.

Tech week is a little overwhelming because they are all tired and perfecting what they have been working so hard on for the many, many, many hours, weeks and months. During tech they have practice for 5 hours on Sunday and then 3 hours the nights leading up to the show. The directors tweak things, the costume designed tweaks things, they run the show over and over and stop and start to get things just right. They are all exhausted, and after the 5 1/2 hour rehearsal on Sunday, I was not sure if Pinocchio was going to power through. She did not love the nose, or wig, and was just exhausted. She also had walking pneumonia but we didn't know it. She powered through and was a trooper. But after rehearsal on Tuesday, I knew something wasn't quite right. She was just kinda flat, and not herself. We had just had her at the doctors the week before because she has been fighting a "cold" for weeks but she was "all clear" when they listened to her lungs and checked her ears. Then when I took her back, sure enough....pneumonia......The doc asked if we wanted to wait it out or take antibiotics. Uh.....there is not an understudy or anything, so the show must go on. We needed some sort of immediate help! She prescribed an antibiotic and by the time Allison got the first dose in her, she was a different kiddo. She was feeling better and back to normal, and the rest of tech week went really well. There were a few tears here and there, but I think that was the way she dealt with the stress of it all. Instead of saying "I am stressed" she would have a few tears....and I don't blame her. It is a huge commitment and she handled it so well.

I am so proud of Allison Grace and all she has accomplished and learned during this process. She has grown so much in the last 4 months. I get all choked up when I think of my baby girl being so grown up and in her element when she is performing. It is so fun to see her doing what she loves and witnessing all of the love and support she is given by the cast and crew! I am also very proud of all of these kids and crew. They have spent so much time, effort and energy dedicated to this show, and everyone has their whole heart and soul in the right place! It really takes a village, and it is an amazing thing to be a part of!! Here are a few sneak peek Green Room shots of some of the cast.

The nose if finally right....They were waiting on the perfect nose that was farmed out to someone who was building it and charging hourly, and the first day of tech I broke it putting it on. So the backup nose was the one they used and it was great!

 One of the best parts....you get to sign the wall in your dressing room......

I also worked the school outreach day...where they performed 2 shows back to back and spent all day at the theater....Grandma Ganne made these darling Pinocchio cookies for all of the cast and crew!