SDCA: The Stage Door

Nat King Cole’s 1963 hit Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer may or may not come to mind when you think of a performing arts center in the heat of summer sun.  As many people turn to beaches and cool waters or other various destinations, the performance schedule is seemingly barren when compared to the return of Fall and Winter.  That doesn’t mean that a theater-especially the SDCA-goes dormant during Summer.  In fact, it’s just the opposite.  

The “downtime” during our summer season is specifically designed to allow staff to perform numerous upgrades, maintenance and other projects that cannot fit into our busy Fall-Winter-Spring facility schedule.  Besides the two public performances this summer-Door Shakespeare’s Pride & Prejudice and the Kids from Wisconsin-the performing arts center also held video screening for a youth football camp and athletic code meeting.  That being set aside, there were also numerous projects that filled our summer schedule.

1. Assembly and installation of new light fixtures - in accordance with our long-term improvement plans, six Source 4 ellipsoidal units and 5 Source 4 PARnels were purchased, assembled and hung into our house light plot.
2. Installation of ambient audio recording system - Northern Sound & Video out of Green Bay, WI, installed the recording system consisting of 10 Audio Technica 853R hanging choir microphones and 2 Shure SM81 condenser microphones (X-Y stereo configuration) on stage.  Along with a Denon 650-RN Recorder, any combination of microphones can be utilized to produce archival recordings of any performance on stage at the SDCA.  Recordings are made to flash media or via USB to a computer.  
3. House light replacement - using a rented boom lift, all incandescent and flourescent house (above the seating area) light fixtures were re-lamped.  
4. 2nd Boom stage lights - The 2nd Boom stage lighting position, which consisted of 12 Strand Lekolite fixtures, were replaced with 12 ETC Source 4 units.  The new fixtures produce a cleaner and brighter light while reducing energy consumption.
5. Fundraiser approval - in planning for a future sound system replacement, plans were developed by auditorium management and approved by the School Board for a paved brick area outside the PAC entrance.  Future amenities for the site include a large sculpture and auditorium signage.  
6. Rigging grant - in order to get a grasp on equipment safety issues, the SDCA applied for a rigging inspection grant through USITT (United States Institute of Theater Technology) and JC Clancy.  We are proud to announce that we were chosen as one of only 12 schools nationwide in the first grant writing schedule.  The $1,000 grant will cover a certified inspector to observe the rigging system on stage, provide a detailed report and training session to management on any issues that are found during the inspection.
7. Microphone Antennae - to combat reception and interference issues with the new wireless microphone system, directional LDPA (paddles) were installed on the front of the sound and light booths.  
8. Crossover lights - safety lights were installed on the back wall of the stage immediately upstage of the cyclorama.
9. Website re-design - a revamped interface and streamlined organization will allow patrons and performers to more easily access information on the SDCA website.
10. Tech Specs packet - to assist prospective touring groups, performers, and technical directors in becoming familiar with the facility and its systems, a technical specifications packet has been written.  The packet, currently at 20 pages, has information on policies, lighting and sound systems and inventories, site maps and diagrams and so much more.
11. Organization is important - 12 feet of counter top and file cabinets were brought into the sound and light booths for added storage.  A top-to-bottom cleaning of both booths and the dimmer room/lighting storage was also accomplished.
12. And there’s more - DMX cable was run to our house bar which will allow intelligent, DMX-controlled lighting accessories where it wasn’t possible before.  The gel (the colored sheets of plastic placed in front of lights) used throughout our entire house plot was replaced.  Furthermore, areas of the stage deck were touched up where paint had peeled off.

As you can see, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes then one would first think.  While we view maintenance and projects as needed improvements, we’re also extremely excited to prepare for our upcoming Fall/Winter 2011 Season.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting the backstage blog of the Southern Door Community Auditorium.  This blog will serve as a compliment to our website and will offer a more informal (and hopefully interesting) look into the inner-workings of a performing arts facility as well as previews and reviews of shows.  Is there something you’d like to see or learn more about?  Submit a question through our website, and you could win tickets to an upcoming performance.