March 26

I've only got a couple of minutes but wanted to update what's going on. Follies has been in full force this past week. We loaded into Tilghman Auditorium on Monday with the platforms and flats. That took us most of the day. Rowton loaded in the sound system with 14 channels of microphones and 4 channels of musicians to mix into the great sound that the show needs. On Monday evening we had our first tech rehearsal in the new space with the sound and the costumes. We didn't even attempt lighting for the Monday night. On Tuesday I spent the morning and afternoon climbing in the ceiling rafters at Tilghman trying to focus and repair the lights that Tilghman Auditorium uses for the shows. It is always a real trial to make the lighting system at tilghman work. They have most of the parts needed but with no one to supervise the theatre there they are quickly misplaced, or in need of repair. I brought the computerized light board from the market house theatre to run the lights anticipating their light board would be down. Tuesday night we ran Act One twice with lights, follow spot, slides, and sound. The show really is coming together well. The almost 50 performers are starting to really shine and make their parts come alive in the 1600 seat auditorium. Today I spent the morning with a child at the doctors office and then hosted 4 singers from the follies who performed for the Rotary club to help with publicity. I'm off to Tilghman to finish setting lights for Act Two so they will be ready for tonight. There is a board of directors meeting at 5:30 pm today.

April had her first rehearsal with Zink on Tuesday night. Unfortunately adult men did not audition, so I was cast by April as the father of the little girl in Zink. I've had several roles at MHT because of that fact. April informed me that she needed her set design by Thursday so she could begin to stage Zink. Phil Counts has been patiently waiting for me to finish he set design for Tuesday's with Morrie.

Auditions are next Monday and Wednesday for the big musical Anything Goes which will perform in June.

Everyone at the theatre is stressed at the moment. Hopefully by next Tuesday we will be back on track just in time for Spring break and a much needed vacation before we go back into getting Tuesdays with Morrie open.