Return-Path: X-Scanned-By: RAE MPP/Clamd http://raeinternet.com/mpp X-Scanned-By: This message was scanned by MPP Lite Edition (www.messagepartners.com)! X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.10) with PIPE id 33954150; Sun, 27 Aug 2006 03:01:35 -0700 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.3 (2006-06-01) on localhost X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.7 required=5.0 tests=ADVANCE_FEE_1,AWL,BAYES_00, NO_RECEIVED,NO_RELAYS,SARE_ADULT2,SARE_HOUSEWIVES,TW_TW autolearn=no version=3.1.3 X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2.10 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #928 Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 03:00:40 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #928 1. auto-reply: Stagecraft Digest #927 by James.G.Antrim [at] williams.edu 2. Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by Charlie Fraser 3. Re: Is anyone interested in DIY magazine articles for theatre? by Rick Malone 4. Re: Is anyone interested in DIY magazine articles for theatre? by "Patrick Immel" 5. Blithe Spirit Table Gag by 6. Re: [user_group] Re: Is anyone interested in DIY magazine articles for theatre? by "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" 7. Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag by Steve Larson 8. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by "Curtis L. Mortimore" 9. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by Jacqueline Haney Kidwell 10. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" 11. Re: DIY Articles by Loren Schreiber 12. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by "Jason Salvatori" 13. Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag by "Chris Warner" 14. Re: TheAter by Loren Schreiber 15. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 16. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by Richard Wright 17. Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag by NODEraser 18. Mexican & Bbq in nyc by Steve Shelley 19. Speaking of Magazines by Bill Sapsis 20. Re: Mexican & Bbq in nyc by "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" 21. Re: theAter? by 22. Re: theAter? by Bill Sapsis 23. Re: Subject: RE: theAter? by 24. Re: theAter? by 25. Mexican Food in NY by Randy Levine 26. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by "Bill Nelson" 27. Re: theAter? by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 28. Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag by "Bill Nelson" 29. Re: Mexican & Bbq in nyc by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 30. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by Bruce Purdy 31. Re: DIY Articles by "Scott Parker" 32. Re: theAter? by Brian Aldous 33. Re: theAter? by "Brian Munroe" 34. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by Pat Kight 35. Re: theAter? by Bill Sapsis 36. Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag by Mark O'Brien 37. Re: Yes, Delbert, There is a Santa Claus (was Re: Wikipedia) by SS 38. Re: Subject: RE: theAter? by SS 39. Re: theAter? by SS 40. Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag by NODEraser 41. Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out by "Occy" 42. Re: Mexican & Bbq in nyc by "Occy" 43. Re: Yes, Delbert, There is a Santa Claus (was Re: Wikipedia) by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" *** Please update the subject line of your reply to use the subject *** line of the message you are replying to! Please only reply to *** one message subject in each reply. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 06:01:22 -0400 (EDT) From: James.G.Antrim [at] williams.edu Subject: auto-reply: Stagecraft Digest #927 Message-id: <0J4L06203NUAJV [at] williams.edu> Please forward e-mail to: jantrim [at] gmu.edu Thank you. Jim Antrim James G. Antrim,PM GMU-Center for the Arts 4400 University Dr Fairfax,VA 22030-4444 703.993.2196 o 413.717.1677 c jantrim [at] gmu.edu ------------------------------ Message-ID: <44F03FCE.7000508 [at] charliefraser.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 08:34:22 -0400 From: Charlie Fraser Subject: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out All, This may be a tad off topic and I apologize. I know many of you like me work with community theaters and I wanted to get an opinion. Our theater is currently at the end of a 5 weekend production run (we have a 49 seat theater). Last week one of the lead actors got cast in a professional paid engagement and would have to miss one performance. Luckily we had someone who could fill in, so this past week there have been about 4 rehearsals with the new actor (2 with tech) which required many people to put 15 hours or more into this because of this person's decision. Now the problem, 1/2 of the company wants to kick the person to the curb and the other 1/2 wants to keep him. The director tried to work a compromise where the stand in would get to appear in an extra performance and the actor who bowed out could close the run. Needless to say that compromise led to some open warfare, one production staff member walk off and a few actor threats to walk off. It took many hours for the director to get a peaceful (sort of) resolution. Note: The actor never informed us that being casted or they even had an agent. We still have two shows left so we will see. Two questions: How would you all have (or had) dealt with this and what policies or procedures could be put in place to prevent this in the future. I realize most of us who work community theater don't pay or get paid but the company members get experience, free publicity, and recognition. This production had great reviews and a featured article with pictures in a regional newspaper. Admittedly, that is a tough choice paid vs unpaid work and the normal run for a community theater is 1-2 weekends while we are 5 with 15 performances. I have been working in theater a while and this situation puzzles me. From my prospective it would be a hard choice for me paid work which could be a piece of gold in my portfolio or holding to a commitment. I would lean to the commitment but it would still be a hard choice. This situation almost destroyed company moral and a couple of good people are considering not coming back to work future productions. Thanks for any advice. Charlie ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060826124143.70581.qmail [at] web80512.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 05:41:43 -0700 (PDT) From: Rick Malone Subject: Re: Is anyone interested in DIY magazine articles for theatre? I would be interested in such articles, but I wouldn't subscribe to a mag just to get an occasional one. Particularly if it was that great big bloated mag that I quit subscribing to 10 years ago. On the web would be ideal. Rick Malone ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 07:50:03 -0500 From: "Patrick Immel" Subject: Re: Is anyone interested in DIY magazine articles for theatre? In-Reply-To: References: Just to add other options, I am the editor of "Technical Source Guide" which is sponsored by the Technical Production Commission of USITT. There are some really simple items and some not so simple...granted, nothing like a opto-isolator! Current issues are published in "Sightlines" (available to USITT members) and past issues are available on the web at: http://www.patrickimmel.com/tsgo/index.htm Enjoy! Pat -- Patrick Immel Lighting and Scenic Designer Northwest Missouri State University patrickimmel.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <815546406.1156600293293.JavaMail.root [at] fepweb03> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 6:51:33 -0700 From: Subject: Blithe Spirit Table Gag I am in the process of designing Blithe Spirit. I am looking for suggestions for the "levitating" table. I would like to make it simple and elegant. We haven't done a show like this in a while and I want the effect to look spooky. Thanks, Steve Schepker Southeastern Louisiana University ------------------------------ From: "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" Subject: RE: [user_group] Re: Is anyone interested in DIY magazine articles for theatre? Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 10:28:33 -0400 Message-ID: <006701c6c91b$e8e48c30$7f9bfea9 [at] p3m866> In-Reply-To: > If you are concerned about making money from it... Bruce, I'm glad you brought this up. It's a totally not-for-profit thing. Many articles you read are written for free or very nearly free. One magazine offered a couple of hundred dollars, which doesn't come anywhere near covering the time, parts, and proto circuit boards to design a project. The real and honest motivation behind this is to help people learn new things and put that knowledge to use for stagecraft. Jim ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 11:01:26 -0400 Subject: Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag From: Steve Larson Message-ID: In-Reply-To: I've levitated table several times. The basic premise was that the table was connected to a "tube" inside a "tube". While my levitating tricks were accomplished mechanically, as opposed to pneumatics or hydraulics, they would all operate pretty much the same. We used a square wooden "pillar" that fit comfortably inside another. Through the use of pulleys and 1/16" aircraft cable, the center pillar would rise when the cables were pulled. We used a simple lever device that was hinged to the floor that pulled the cables. One production of this show I designed, the director simply told me, "The final 30 seconds of the show are yours, show me a battle scene." With 8 crew people we opened and closed pocket doors, dropped the curtains from the window, opened and closed the garden door, fired figurines and books from the book cases and mantle, launched the mantle off the fireplace into the room, and exploded the chandaliers. Meanwhile the sound guy was playing violent piano music. It was a spectacular eruption to end the show. Backstage was closed to all visitors and the crew was sworn to secrecy for the run of the show. When our normal visitors backstage after shows were denied access, word spread quickly that something was afoot. Audiences told others and we ended with the run sold out. The acting wasn't too bad for a university production either. This can be a fun show to tech. Steve > From: > Reply-To: "Stagecraft" > Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 6:51:33 -0700 > To: "Stagecraft" > Subject: Blithe Spirit Table Gag > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > I am in the process of designing Blithe Spirit. I am looking for suggestions > for the "levitating" table. I would like to make it simple and elegant. We > haven't done a show like this in a while and I want the effect to look spooky. > Thanks, > Steve Schepker > Southeastern Louisiana University ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 11:11:56 -0400 Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out From: "Curtis L. Mortimore" Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Charlie, I tend to talk to much but I'll try to boil this down the the essentials. When I am an EMPLOYEE I honor the commitments I have made. Read: finish the job and not take any additional work until the job is finished. IF an opportunity of a lifetime were to fall out of the sky AND I could make reasonable arrangements for my current commitments I MIGHT take the offer. When I am the EMPLOYER I honor the commitments I have made. Read: Expect them to not ask or force me to make unreasonable arrangements should opportunities arise for them. IF an opportunity were to fall out of the sky for them AND they did not make reasonable arrangements to honor their commitment, I probably would be VERY hesitant to continue a working relationship with them. That being said and knowing only what I have read in your post I would suggest that this decision resulted in somewhat unreasonable strain on the production and the entire producing team. To that end, I would ask this performer to not come back and might even go so far as to say something to the effect of "This is a free country. You are allowed to make whatever decisions you like. Your decision has been to work for someone else and I respect that. I hope your future endeavors serve you well and we will find someone to replace you on our production team." I would then encourage and support the person who stepped up and filled the role by having them finish the run. And remember.... this is my view from down here in my forest where I can only see a few trees. -- Curtis L. Mortimore Technical Director Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance Muncie, IN 47306 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060826153320.61639.qmail [at] web36209.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 08:33:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Jacqueline Haney Kidwell Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out In-Reply-To: Charlie-- Missing a show for other work is different than missing a show for a family funeral or other unavoidable event. I would thank this person for his time, and replace him for the rest of the run. Everyone else in the company has made the commitment in time and energy to do the full 5 weeks, which undoubtedly involved compromises and choices for many. If this individual does not respect all those other people, he should be let go. In some ways, a commitment to volunteer work is more sacred than to a paying job. You know that money is not the motivation for anyone involved--it's love alone. Many are actually making financial sacrifices to work on a given production. Jacki (unpaid producer/everything else for one group, unpaid props artist/fundraiser/Board member for another) --- Charlie Fraser wrote: > ... Our > theater is currently at the end of a 5 weekend > production run (we have a > 49 seat theater). Last week one of the lead > actors got cast in a > professional paid engagement and would have to > miss one performance. .... __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" Subject: RE: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 11:41:58 -0400 Message-ID: <001301c6c926$2ae097a0$6701a8c0 [at] Dell> In-Reply-To: > From my prospective it would be a hard choice for me paid > work which could be a piece of gold in my portfolio or holding to a > commitment. Actually, this is pretty common even in the professional world. When doing Equity Showcase productions, which pay little or nothing, it's understood that actors may bail if they get offered real work. ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.2.20060826084313.04823098 [at] mail.sdsu.edu> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 08:58:52 -0700 From: Loren Schreiber Subject: Re: DIY Articles In-Reply-To: References: Hey Jim, I would very much like to see such articles in print. I think a web presence would be great too, but as a permanent resource I'm not so sure. Servers come and go. Systems crash, etc. It isn't necessary to keep all the magazines--just the ones that have the article you need. I subscribe to a magazine called Kitplanes, which occasionally features the sort of articles you are promoting. I have about half a dozen issues on my shelf from over the years that had circuits I thought I could use (including a low-voltage dimmer). All the other issues went to recycling. I am particularly interested in small electronics projects for my students. Most haven't grown up with vacuum tubes and discrete components and they find electronics to be too much of a black art. I have them build a small power supply, from circuit layout, board etching, smoke test and implementation. It would be great to have additional theatrically useful circuits. As to liability problems, I'm sure there must be some disclaimer that can provide a modicum of protection for all involved. Maybe Richard could help with that. Loren Schreiber, Technical Director School of Theatre, Television and Film, San Diego State University http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/schreibr/index.html ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1caebf780608260903u42e9778hf8626d80b4197967 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 12:03:32 -0400 From: "Jason Salvatori" Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out In-Reply-To: <1caebf780608260901r3b9abe40ob984af485a8dbc85 [at] mail.gmail.com> References: <1caebf780608260901r3b9abe40ob984af485a8dbc85 [at] mail.gmail.com> IMHO, The stand-in should finish the run. Your lead actor made his decision that the paid gig was more important (which is fine, it's his choice) but in doing so has said: "there is something more important than this to me" which I would respond with, "once you're out, you're out." Especially since he did not disclose ahead of time that there was a chance he'd have to leave (I've been auditioning... etc.) If you let the lead back in to close you send the message that it's okay to walk all over your group. my $0.02 Jason Salvatori TD Vaughan City Playhouse ------------------------------ From: "Chris Warner" Subject: RE: Blithe Spirit Table Gag Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 09:10:10 -0700 Message-ID: <004801c6c92a$1c236950$6801a8c0 [at] CHRISLAPTOP> In-Reply-To: When I did this show, the guy who designed the effects used a ring with a slot cut in it, and a T-pin on the surface of the table. But the pillar inside a pillar is a good idea. Chris > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of > sschepker [at] charter.net > Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 6:52 AM > To: Stagecraft > Subject: Blithe Spirit Table Gag > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > I am in the process of designing Blithe Spirit. I am looking for suggestions for the > "levitating" table. I would like to make it simple and elegant. We haven't done a > show like this in a while and I want the effect to look spooky. > Thanks, > Steve Schepker > Southeastern Louisiana University ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.2.20060826085920.048bcb30 [at] mail.sdsu.edu> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 09:15:18 -0700 From: Loren Schreiber Subject: Re: TheAter In-Reply-To: References: Along the same lines as the previous discussion of the pronunciation of "theatre," I'm finding myself increasingly irritated at students' attempts at "hick" accents when performing. They and their voice and diction teachers will work for hours to produce a reasonable British accent, but when it comes to regional American accents any crap will do. There is a significant difference between the accents in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, West Virginia, etc. but as long as it sounds twangy it's OK. It's not--it's lazy. I guess poor white trash will be the last to receive cultural sensitivity. It's irritatin'. Loren Schreiber, Technical Director San Diego State University School of Theatre, Television and Film Graduate of LSU ("Geaux Tigers!") ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:20:02 GMT Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out Message-Id: <20060826.092051.15735.326819 [at] webmail30.lax.untd.com> Dear Charlie, We assemble shows with the possibility of an actor or other member of = the production team gaining more lucrative employment. We know that = the sole motivation of many actors doing stageplays is to get paying = work in film or television, and we do not fool ourselves into = thinking that all actors are theatrical purists. If an actor gets a = TV series or movie role, they accept it with our blessing, and a = reminder to audition for the next show that they are 'right' for. An = example is the actress leaving our show for the female adult lead in = Annie with her first performance at the Shubert in Annie within the = same week. Another example is Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives = fame who was a title character in one of my shows. She is VERY = welcome to do another show for me. Still another example was Reba who = played a role for me, and did incidental music at her request before = she was famous. She is also welcome back. It is unwise to burn = bridges. When we cast actors who are rising stars, we take the risk = that they will have to be replaced, but we are budgeted for that, and = the other actors often think that if this actor can be cast for a = major project after being seen in one of my shows, it can happen to = them, too. This assists in the recruitment and retention of good = actors, as does the fact that I have NEVER charged fees or dues. /s/ Richard ____________________________ Our theater is currently at the end of a 5 weekend production run. = Last week one of the lead actors got cast in a professional paid = engagement and would have to miss one performance. = Luckily we had someone who could fill in, so this past week there = have been about 4 rehearsals with the new actor (2 with tech) which = required many people to put 15 hours or more into this because of = this person's decision. Now the problem, 1/2 of the company wants to = kick the person to the curb and the other 1/2 wants to keep him. The = director tried to work a compromise where the stand in would get to = appear in an extra performance and the actor who bowed out could = close the run. Needless to say that compromise led to some open = warfare, one production staff member walk off and a few actor threats = to walk off. It took many hours for the director to get a peaceful = (sort of) resolution. From my prospective it would be a hard choice = for me paid work which could be a piece of gold in my portfolio or = holding to a commitment. I would lean to the commitment but it would = still be a hard choice. Thanks for any advice. Charlie ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <6b6a567cb50b858de0cdc3c398bf3d29 [at] goldrushbc.com> From: Richard Wright Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 09:31:04 -0700 Well, first of all I agree with Curtis. We are a summer theatre and run 4 shows all summer. A couple of examples. Three years ago our pianist got a great touring gig offered. He had a contract with us and came to me and asked if he could get out of it, with 6 weeks notice. I said yes, as I did not want him to miss out on a year's work. In return he offered to find a new pianist, pay for travel, and pay for rehearsal time. All of which he did - very professionally. Leap forward three years to 2006. In the middle of our run of 3 shows per day, I get a call from our current pianist saying "I don't feel well and can't come in." This was at 9 a.m. with a 1 o'clock show looming. The MD, SM and I met. Our shows depend on the pianist. We cancelled the 1 pm and then were up and running without a pianist by 3 pm. (Thanks God for youth and vigor) In the meantime, we called the former pianist. A gig had just fallen through (praise the God's on our side) and he said, "Why don't I just throw some clothes in a bag and jump in the car in two hours and drive up (it's a 9 hour drive). If you need me I'm there. If not pay my travel expenses." We accepted with alacrity. He was here the next morning. So, the next day I called the current pianist. Will you be able to return, I asked. "I need to bow out gracefully", she said. (Gracefully!) Within two hours the new pianist was at work and in two days we had our shows up and running in their regular form. He played one show without ever seeing it, using script and notes. So, the point is, he bowed out professionally and we hired him back. And, he will likely work the full season for us next year. The other pianist was "well" enough to perform for a free gig 5 days later. She will never work for us again. From a company perspective we gained as folks are now saying "You haven't seen the shows unless you have seen them with J." So we lost thousands in lost revenue and expenses, but have better shows. My sense is you honor any commitment, and you perform your job as long as you can. And you don't leave for better work. And, if you do you certainly DO NOT get to come back. Clearly this was disruptive to the whole company and the actor coming back just makes it worse. I should add we are a small non-union theatre company of 11 cast/crew, 9 hours from any major centre of population. Richard Newman & Wright Theatre Company Theatre Royal, Barkerville B.C. Visit us at www.barkerville.ca On 26-Aug-06, at 5:34 AM, Charlie Fraser wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > > --------------------------------------------------- > > All, This may be a tad off topic and I apologize. I know many of you > like me work with community theaters and I wanted to get an opinion. > Our theater is currently at the end of a 5 weekend production run (we > have a 49 seat theater). Last week one of the lead actors got cast in > a professional paid engagement and would have to miss one performance. > Luckily we had someone who could fill in, so this past week there have > been about 4 rehearsals with the new actor (2 with tech) which > required many people to put 15 hours or more into this because of > this person's decision. Now the problem, 1/2 of the company wants to > kick the person to the curb and the other 1/2 wants to keep him. The > director tried to work a compromise where the stand in would get to > appear in an extra performance and the actor who bowed out could close > the run. Needless to say that compromise led to some open warfare, one > production staff member walk off and a few actor threats to walk off. > It took many hours for the director to get a peaceful (sort of) > resolution. Note: The actor never informed us that being casted or > they even had an agent. We still have two shows left so we will see. > Two questions: How would you all have (or had) dealt with this and > what policies or procedures could be put in place to prevent this in > the future. I realize most of us who work community theater don't pay > or get paid but the company members get experience, free publicity, > and recognition. This production had great reviews and a featured > article with pictures in a regional newspaper. Admittedly, that is a > tough choice paid vs unpaid work and the normal run for a community > theater is 1-2 weekends while we are 5 with 15 performances. I have > been working in theater a while and this situation puzzles me. From my > prospective it would be a hard choice for me paid work which could be > a piece of gold in my portfolio or holding to a commitment. I would > lean to the commitment but it would still be a hard choice. This > situation almost destroyed company moral and a couple of good people > are considering not coming back to work future productions. Thanks for > any advice. > > Charlie > ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 12:51:50 -0400 From: NODEraser Reply-To: greg [at] hypersoft.zzn.com Subject: Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag In-Reply-To: References: We used the actors' thumbs, which were hooked under the lip of the table. Took them a bit of practice to get it to levitate flat, but it worked rather well. On 8/26/06, sschepker [at] charter.net wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > I am in the process of designing Blithe Spirit. I am looking for suggestions for the "levitating" table. I would like to make it simple and elegant. We haven't done a show like this in a while and I want the effect to look spooky. > Thanks, > Steve Schepker > Southeastern Louisiana University > -- Greg Bennett Carpenter/Grip/Electrician Mount Washington Valley Theatre Company Eastern Slope Inn Playhouse North Conway, New Hampshire ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 13:30:00 -0400 Subject: Mexican & Bbq in nyc From: Steve Shelley Message-ID: In-Reply-To: I recently joined friends who spend a lot of time in south american and mexico at la palapa on 6th ave. between w.4th & washington. They had been there before and thought it good, I had not been there before and thought it terrific. I'm told there is also one on the east side. http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=2&restaurantid=5144&ne ighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=43&home=Y Last month I joined a friend at her birthday celebration at Daisy May's BBQ USA. She had made reservations weeks in advance, and after we were outfitted in bibs, gloves, you name it, they presented us with a full half smoked porker on a slab. Best pulled pork I've ever had. Sides were excellent as well. http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=9&restaurantid=5009&ne ighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=10&home=Y On 8/25/06 5:49 PM, "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > >> That's why there's a flag of the Great State of Texas in the >> basement >> of the Gershwin ... on a related note, anyone got any >> recommendations >> on good Mexican food in/near the theatre district? Arriba Arriba on >> 51st isn't cutting it any longer ... > > I'd widen that to a request for good Mexican food -- not food that a New > Yorker considers "good" (there are lots of those), but Mexican food that a > Texan, Arizonan, New Mexican, or Californian would consider "good" -- within > 30 miles of Manhattan. If it exists, I haven't found it. > > I lit a show in July that had two Texans in the cast, so of course we had to > go out for barbecue. The place on Greenwich and 7th isn't bad. > -- Steve Shelley (212) 865-2969 home (917) 334-7625 cell (212) 749-9117 fax MrTemplate [at] Earthlink.net www.fieldtemplate.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:50:36 -0400 Subject: Speaking of Magazines From: Bill Sapsis Message-ID: In-Reply-To: For those of you with nothing better to do you might check out the September issue of Traveler Magazine. The cover shot, and some others inside, is of Naomi Watts on the Chrysler Building. We did the safety equipment for the shoot for Ms. Watts. We got a nice write up inside too. Bill S. ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre www.sapsis-rigging.com 800.727.7471 267.278.4561 mobile ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" Subject: RE: Mexican & Bbq in nyc Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:00:29 -0400 Message-ID: <000401c6c952$a9ee3620$6701a8c0 [at] Dell> In-Reply-To: > after we were outfitted in bibs, gloves, you > name it, they presented us with a full half smoked porker on > a slab. That's southern barbecue, not Texas barbecue. ------------------------------ Subject: RE: theAter? Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:01:16 -0400 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: From: So where do we get JUMBO in Manhattan from? Please pardon my ignorance. Steve -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Brian Munroe For those who don't know, the SOHO neighborhood in New York is the area SOuth of HOuston. One of several neighborhoods named by streets or geographical references. Brian Munroe bpmunroe [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:05:57 -0400 Subject: Re: theAter? From: Bill Sapsis Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Just Under the Manhattan Bridge On ramp On 8/26/06 5:01 PM, "Stephen.Rees [at] fredonia.edu" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > So where do we get JUMBO in Manhattan from? Please pardon my > ignorance. > Steve > > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Brian > Munroe > > For those who don't know, the SOHO neighborhood in New York is the area > SOuth of HOuston. One of several neighborhoods named by streets or > geographical references. > > Brian Munroe > bpmunroe [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Subject: RE: theAter? Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:06:40 -0400 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: From: Hi Michael, Probably. On the Arkansas River, SW of Breckenridge. My son was briefly a raft guide there this summer.=20 Steve -----Original Message----- I just drove through Buena Vista Co. via Cottonwood Pass (12,000 plus ft.) on my way from home (where I was raised in Crested Butte, Co.) to home (where I now live) in Des Moines, Ia. Are we talking about the same Buena Vista? -- Michael Michael Powers Director of Operations Central Lighting & Equipment 1720 Fuller Rd. Suite 150 West Des Moines Iowa 50265 515-277-4190 877-977-4190 Fax 515-277-2295 515-557-0178 cell michael [at] clelights.com ------------------------------ Subject: RE: theAter? Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:30:25 -0400 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: From: Thanks Bill.=20 -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Bill Sapsis Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 5:06 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: theAter? For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Just Under the Manhattan Bridge On ramp On 8/26/06 5:01 PM, "Stephen.Rees [at] fredonia.edu" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see=20 > > --------------------------------------------------- >=20 > So where do we get JUMBO in Manhattan from? Please pardon my=20 > ignorance. > Steve >=20 > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Brian > Munroe >=20 > For those who don't know, the SOHO neighborhood in New York is the=20 > area SOuth of HOuston. One of several neighborhoods named by streets=20 > or geographical references. >=20 > Brian Munroe > bpmunroe [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <5F62CD51-48F8-4D47-90C2-2A706099D89A [at] cox.net> From: Randy Levine Subject: Mexican Food in NY Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 14:43:28 -0700 You've got to try Los Dos Molinos. I believe they opened their first restaurant here in Mesa Az. They have the best, hottest food (Hatch chili's) I've ever eaten. I too am a Brooklyn Jew but I know a thing or 2 about the food of the southwest and I doubt anyone would find their food to be anything less than fantastic. http://tinyurl.com/nsp5q On Aug 25, 2006, at 2:49 PM, Jeffrey E. Salzberg wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see stagecraft.theprices.net/> > --------------------------------------------------- > >> That's why there's a flag of the Great State of Texas in the >> basement >> of the Gershwin ... on a related note, anyone got any >> recommendations >> on good Mexican food in/near the theatre district? Arriba Arriba on >> 51st isn't cutting it any longer ... > > I'd widen that to a request for good Mexican food -- not food that > a New > Yorker considers "good" (there are lots of those), but Mexican food > that a > Texan, Arizonan, New Mexican, or Californian would consider "good" > -- within > 30 miles of Manhattan. If it exists, I haven't found it. > > I lit a show in July that had two Texans in the cast, so of course > we had to > go out for barbecue. The place on Greenwich and 7th isn't bad. > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <2899.205.215.254.137.1156629239.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References: <1caebf780608260901r3b9abe40ob984af485a8dbc85 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 14:53:59 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out From: "Bill Nelson" > IMHO, The stand-in should finish the run. Your lead actor made his > decision that the paid gig was more important (which is fine, it's his > choice) but in doing so has said: "there is something more important > than this to me" which I would respond with, "once you're out, you're > out." > Especially since he did not disclose ahead of time that there was a > chance he'd have to leave (I've been auditioning... etc.) > If you let the lead back in to close you send the message that it's > okay to walk all over your group. I agree. The local community theatres always stress that job and family come before the theatre. However, we also expect everyone to honor their commitments for the full run of the show. It is often possible to work around possible conflicts, if they are known about in advance. I am not a director, and do not make final casting decisions, but here is my take on the situation. This instance does not fit with the above because it is not an existing job, it is a new job - taken without a precasting warning that he would be auditioning. Once he leaves, he should not be allowed back for that show. Whether this person should be considered for future shows would depend on your local talent situation, as well as how the rest of the company feels about this person. There are probably few things worse than casting a person whom a sizeable percentage of the remaining cast dislikes/detests. Bill ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 21:59:02 GMT Subject: Re: theAter? Message-Id: <20060826.145939.833.340782 [at] webmail34.lax.untd.com> And for those who don't know, the NOHO district in Los Angeles is in = NOrth HOllywood and is the densest cluster of theatres in Los Angeles. /s/ Richard ________________________ > For those who don't know, the SOHO neighborhood in New York is the = area SOuth of HOuston. One of several neighborhoods named by streets = or geographical references. > Brian Munroe ------------------------------ Message-ID: <2912.205.215.254.137.1156629999.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:06:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag From: "Bill Nelson" > One production of this show I designed, the director > simply told me, "The final 30 seconds of the show are > yours, show me a battle scene." I did the lighting design for the show, 6 months or so ago. We just had the table jump around and tip over, not levitate. The climax, part of which I designed, was less violent than yours. We had plates falling off plate rails and breaking, books jumping out of a bookcase and a picture jumping of the fireplace mantle. The final image that the audience saw, just as the blackout was occurring, was a large and apparently heavy picture flying off the wall towards the middle of the room. Bill ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 22:38:49 GMT Subject: Re: Mexican & Bbq in nyc Message-Id: <20060826.153855.15735.327903 [at] webmail30.lax.untd.com> If those of us in So. Cal. ever forget what Mexican Barbecue tastes = like, there is always plenty of people around that left their homes = in Mexico this morning and have expertise in how to prepare it. My = personal preference is Argentine Barbecue, so fortunately I get = invited frequently to an area adjacent to a friend's building supply = shop where he cooks it just right. He gets his very lean Argentine = beef shipped in weekly. For two weeks we have been discussing = building a dinner theatre style nightclub with very theatrical = architectural features and an equipment package that will allow = radical show changeovers on a daily/nightly basis. I am now starting = to calculate the air handling requirements to keep the smoke from a = huge open pit indoor barbecue from permeating the seats, linens, and = staging equipment. 10K CFM w/100 tons of cooling? Silent air curtains? /s/ Richard = _________________________ > after we were outfitted in bibs, gloves, you name it, they = presented us with a full half smoked porker on a slab. That's southern barbecue, not Texas barbecue. ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <9B808B03-D76A-4873-98BE-35DC7004A714 [at] rochester.rr.com> From: Bruce Purdy Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:36:46 -0400 The fact that he bailed to take a paying gig doesn't bother me nearly so much as the fact that he let no one know that this possibility was out there. He should certainly have at least confided in the director that he was up for the part and it MIGHT happen. The director would then have been able to get an understudy to learn the part - just in case. Maybe plan on giving him one performance in return for working on the part. On a somewhat related note, what if the actor had been hit by a bus rather than taking another part? Is there any understudy available? This has always concerned me about our local community Theatre groups - no contingency plan. I would agree with others that this replacement should finish the run! Bruce ____________________ Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Message-ID: <90d9c9980608261729q35f0f544n1d697e1f6ef5ae14 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 20:29:48 -0400 From: "Scott Parker" Subject: Re: DIY Articles In-Reply-To: References:

Hi Loren, and other listers. If you do not know about Make Magazine, then here is a fun place to poke around. http://www.makezine.com/ How to projects from the simple to advanced skill sets. Scott On 8/26/06, Loren Schreiber wrote: > I am particularly interested in small electronics projects for my > students. -- Thanks and take care, Scott Scott C. Parker Professor/Technical Director Dept. of Performing Arts Dyson College of Arts and Sciences [at] Pace University Office/shipping: 41 Park Row, 1205F Mailing: 1 Pace Plaza New York, NY 10038 212-346-1423 Fax: 914-989-8425 ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <641072aad99f92446d258694cbd6d493 [at] tany.com> From: Brian Aldous Subject: Re: RE: theAter? Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 22:13:43 -0400 And in any case, it was named Houstoun Street (spelling erroneously shortened later) in long before anyone ever heard of that Virginia-born staunch Unionist, Sam Houston. It is named after a Georgian patriot, William Houstoun, who just happened to be married to the daughter of the real estate developer who laid it out sometime before 1811. The pronunciation New Yorkers use is presumably correct... that's how most people pronounce the word "house," isn't it? Oh, by the way, my source is Henry Moscow's "The Street Book." Not Wikipedia. But I looked, and Wikipedia agrees - citing the same source. Can someone please drive a stake through that thread's heart? On Aug 26, 2006, at 6:00 AM, Stagecraft wrote: > On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:54:40, CB wrote: > >> ..and I'm sure those on the list from the great nation... er, state of >> Texas giggle every time they here a Manhattenite talk about going up >> 'HOW-stuhn' street. > > A Manhattenite wouldn't go "up" Houston Street anymore than they would > go "up" 42nd Street. Houston is a cross-street running east-west. > You go across Houston, not up. > > For those who don't know, the SOHO neighborhood in New York is the > area SOuth of HOuston. One of several neighborhoods named by streets > or geographical references. > > Brian Munroe > bpmunroe [at] gmail.com > BA Brian Aldous Lighting Design brian [at] tany.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 22:17:08 -0400 From: "Brian Munroe" Subject: Re: theAter? In-Reply-To: References:

It's actually DUMBO, Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass in Brooklyn. Tribeca is the TRIangle BElow CAnal Street. Brian Munroe bpmunroe [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <44F10337.7030408 [at] peak.org> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:28:07 -0700 From: Pat Kight Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out References:

In-Reply-To: Bruce Purdy wrote: > The fact that he bailed to take a paying gig doesn't bother me > nearly so much as the fact that he let no one know that this > possibility was out there. He should certainly have at least confided > in the director that he was up for the part and it MIGHT happen. The > director would then have been able to get an understudy to learn the > part - just in case. Maybe plan on giving him one performance in return > for working on the part. > > On a somewhat related note, what if the actor had been hit by a bus > rather than taking another part? Is there any understudy available? > This has always concerned me about our local community Theatre groups - > no contingency plan. > We've had a few situations like that - nobody's been hit by a bus, but one director in my memory had a family emergency that required leaving town, and others have been sent on trips they couldn't refuse by their day jobs. And a couple of directors over the years have had to move out of town (again, for work) before the shows they were scheduled to direct went into rehearsals. When the interruption comes mid-rehearsal, the assistant director usually steps in, sometimes with the help of the stage manager. When a vacancy occurs before auditions, the theater's board of directors finds someone to take on the show. -- Pat Kight Albany (Ore) Civic Theater ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 22:36:25 -0400 Subject: Re: theAter? From: Bill Sapsis Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Awwww man. I had 'em going. Busted. Rats! On 8/26/06 10:17 PM, "Brian Munroe" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > It's actually DUMBO, Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass in Brooklyn. > > Tribeca is the TRIangle BElow CAnal Street. > > Brian Munroe > bpmunroe [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060826194030.2654w8go808oow8o [at] www.email.arizona.edu> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:40:30 -0700 From: Mark O'Brien Subject: Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag References:

In-Reply-To: Quoting Bill Nelson : > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > >> One production of this show I designed, the director >> simply told me, "The final 30 seconds of the show are >> yours, show me a battle scene." > > I did the lighting design for the show, 6 months or so ago. We just had > the table jump around and tip over, not levitate. > > The climax, part of which I designed, was less violent than yours. We had > plates falling off plate rails and breaking, books jumping out of a > bookcase and a picture jumping of the fireplace mantle. The final image > that the audience saw, just as the blackout was occurring, was a large and > apparently heavy picture flying off the wall towards the middle of the > room. > > Bill I had a table last year for the Medium, and I used a small hydraulic scissor lift. The pump was a very quiet one offstage so it was _silent_. Overkill? perhaps, but I had a few of the lying around, so that is what I used. Mark-O Mark O'Brien Opera Technical Director University of Arizona, School of Music 520-621-7025 520-591-1803 Mobile http://www.myspace.com/marko66 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <8231e7ea0608262026v74fd5f38pd1465571beb59b7f [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 23:26:18 -0400 From: SS Subject: Re: Yes, Delbert, There is a Santa Claus (was Re: Wikipedia) In-Reply-To: References: > Go look it up. Santa Clause is, in fact, real, and less than a five hour > drive from my house (depending on traffic). Wiki even backs it up, and > this is one case that I can assure you that Wikipedia has it > correct. Uh, don't forget Santa Clause Indiana! They even have a water/amusement park!! Surprisingly decent for the middle of nowhere! http://www.city-data.com/city/Santa-Claus-Indiana.html And while you're there, be sure to cruise down HWY 162 and stop by "Buffalo Run Farm, Grill, and Gifts". They make a mean Ostrich Burger! http://www.legendaryplaces.org/BuffaloRun/ --SS TTS-EKU "Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute. But set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." ------------------------------ Message-ID: <8231e7ea0608262041s779c5228m52113dfb3157ac9b [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 23:41:33 -0400 From: SS Subject: Re: Subject: RE: theAter? In-Reply-To: References:

>>>He I know the former mayor of Crested Butte. Kessner. Nice lady.<<< >>> I just drove through Buena Vista Co. via Cottonwood Pass (12,000 plus > > ft.) on my way from home (where I was raised in Crested Butte, Co.)<<< Perhaps I'm just really immature, but has anyone else let expel a chuckle at each mention of Crested Butte? :) -SS TTS-EKU "Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute. But set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." ------------------------------ Message-ID: <8231e7ea0608262048g24a5ae8au7bffd829ae49efb [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 23:48:05 -0400 From: SS Subject: Re: theAter? In-Reply-To: References:

>>>on a related note, anyone got any recommendations on good Mexican food in/near the theatre district? Arriba Arriba on 51st isn't cutting it any longer ...<<<< Does Panchitos, on McDougal btwn W. 3rd & Bleeker, still exist? It's been a while. They weren't half bad. -SS TTS-EKU "Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute. But set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:21:29 -0400 From: NODEraser Reply-To: greg [at] hypersoft.zzn.com Subject: Re: Blithe Spirit Table Gag In-Reply-To: References:

I assume you're talking about a levitating table for the seance scene? On 8/26/06, NODEraser wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > We used the actors' thumbs, which were hooked under the lip of the > table. Took them a bit of practice to get it to levitate flat, but it > worked rather well. > > On 8/26/06, sschepker [at] charter.net wrote: > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > > --------------------------------------------------- > > > > I am in the process of designing Blithe Spirit. I am looking for suggestions for the "levitating" table. I would like to make it simple and elegant. We haven't done a show like this in a while and I want the effect to look spooky. > > Thanks, > > Steve Schepker > > Southeastern Louisiana University > > > > > -- > Greg Bennett > Carpenter/Grip/Electrician > Mount Washington Valley Theatre Company > Eastern Slope Inn Playhouse > North Conway, New Hampshire > -- Greg Bennett Carpenter/Grip/Electrician Mount Washington Valley Theatre Company Eastern Slope Inn Playhouse North Conway, New Hampshire ------------------------------ Message-ID: From: "Occy" References:

Subject: Re: Off Topic: When A Community Theater Company Member Drops Out Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 23:50:57 -0700 Maybe he didn't know he was still in the running. I have had jobs call me up to 3 years with out a peep from them and offer me the job. I was way beyond that job when finality offer to me. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Purdy" --------------------------------------------------- > > The fact that he bailed to take a paying gig doesn't bother me > nearly so much as the fact that he let no one know that this > possibility was out there. He should certainly have at least confided > in the director that he was up for the part and it MIGHT happen. The > director would then have been able to get an understudy to learn the > part - just in case. Maybe plan on giving him one performance in > return for working on the part. > > On a somewhat related note, what if the actor had been hit by a bus > rather than taking another part? Is there any understudy available? > This has always concerned me about our local community Theatre groups > - no contingency plan. > > I would agree with others that this replacement should finish the run! > > Bruce > ____________________ > Bruce Purdy > Technical Director > Smith Opera House > > > > ------------------------------ Message-ID: From: "Occy" References: Subject: Re: Mexican & Bbq in nyc Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:37:03 -0700 Ok first on the list on the new restaurant in the male and female potty rooms is to have HVAC have the air flow so positive that the sheets of bathroom tissue float in the air off the roll until more are needed. I think about rest of it. ----- Original Message ----- From: If those of us in So. Cal. ever forget what Mexican Barbecue tastes like, there is always plenty of people around that left their homes in Mexico this morning and have expertise in how to prepare it. My personal preference is Argentine Barbecue, so fortunately I get invited frequently to an area adjacent to a friend's building supply shop where he cooks it just right. He gets his very lean Argentine beef shipped in weekly. For two weeks we have been discussing building a dinner theatre style nightclub with very theatrical architectural features and an equipment package that will allow radical show changeovers on a daily/nightly basis. I am now starting to calculate the air handling requirements to keep the smoke from a huge open pit indoor barbecue from permeating the seats, linens, and staging equipment. 10K CFM w/100 tons of cooling? Silent air curtains? /s/ Richard _________________________ > after we were outfitted in bibs, gloves, you name it, they presented us with a full half smoked porker on a slab. That's southern barbecue, not Texas barbecue. ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 08:48:08 GMT Subject: Re: Yes, Delbert, There is a Santa Claus (was Re: Wikipedia) Message-Id: <20060827.014908.18186.397364 [at] webmail36.lax.untd.com> Don't forget Santa Claus, California, with it's 51 acres stretching = from US Highway 101 south of Santa Barbara to the Pacific Ocean, that = was sold off in it's entirety when the post office closed the = substation that bore it's name. Someone had humbug tendencies, I fear. /s/ Richard ______________________________ > Go look it up. Santa Clause is, in fact, real, and less than a = five hour drive from my house (depending on traffic). = ___________________________________ Uh, don't forget Santa Clause Indiana! They even have a water/amusement park!! Surprisingly decent for the middle of nowhere! http://www.city-data.com/city/Santa-Claus-Indiana.html TTS-EKU ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #928 *****************************