Terrible decisions to make
Life has taken a turn the last couple days which may take Puck and I out of theater here in town.
Puck has always marched a little to his own drummer and has ticked off the director of our facility on occasion, but things came to a head on Thursday last after he had changed two lights around just before the band concert. Now our play goes on this weekend and Puck was trying to get as far ahead as possible to give us time to work with our light cues. Maddie designed the lights and I think he was trying to give her time as well and work around her very busy schedule. I told him he was not supposed to mess around with the lights until after the band concert, but he talked to the director and e-mailed him. He even forwarded me an e-mail that seemed to indicate directions from him about moving lights... nothing about not touching them at all.
Well on thursday I get an e-mail from Paul (the director) asking if Puck had messed with the lights. For one thing I have no idea why he sent me the damn e-mail and not just asked Puck. I am not my husband's zoo keeper and he is the tech director... I am not. Anyhow I forwarded it on to Puck who responded apologetically that he had moved two lights and did something with a floor dimmer (not really sure what that was about.
Paul came back with a vengence. First of all we did no have written permission to be at the theater at that time slot and second he (paul) had told him specifically not to fiddle with the lights (that part is a damn lie)
He was right about not having the time slot, but Puck had requested it and frankly we hardly see each other at this time of the year. I do my best to keep track of the calender, but we both have been so sick and had trouble with weather and requesting new days. Puck honestly thought he had the date. We have had it before so it was not an unfamiliar thing.
So I knew Paul was pissed, but when Puck went over to deliver a poster Paul handed him a formal letter addressed to the superintendant of schools, both principals, and the building administrator stating that Puck was not to be allowed any keys to the light booth, catwalks or rigging until 1 to 2 weeks before any production he works on and at that time he must request the keys from Paul (the big prick) Essentially this castrates Puck as far as doing the part of theater he loves. Lights! Interesting that he did not decide to included any of the theater supervisors in that letter. This keeps him from touching any lights, but also using any rigging to fly things or move curtains. Of course I could get the keys, but how would that help things?
Unless we get this sorted out he will resign... and if he goes I have to go too. I don't want to work with an inferior designer... if we both go then dear Rob (my co-director) will go too and that pretty much kills middle school drama. I would resign my contract at the high school as well. It would put a major crimp in high school drama as well.
Rob sent a carefully worded e-mail off to the superintendant of schools whose response was less than supportive. He reccomended that we meet with Paul and work things out among our selves. I think I am tired of working uphill. I think the kids appreciate what we do, but it sure would be nice to have a little support from the powers that be.
Oh and Paul (the little dictator) sends me an e-mail on monday that only has the words "Look at this" with three pictures attached. They showed black scuff marks in the back hallway of the theater. there were maybe 5 or 6 of them. They were long and looked deliberate, but heck... that was after three days of rehearsing 40 kids 5 hours a day Sheesh! what does he expect?
Sometimes we break rules that we didn't even know existed... like the weapons form we have to fill out to bring any plastic gun or sword or axe into the place. Two years I never needed it and it was never in the use form. then last year I mention guns and get yelled at. I suggest that it would be helpful to have it in the form so at least people would know what to expect. Now it is in the form, but dang if you can find the damn form when you want it. It is buried in a mound of rules.
We cannot eat in the lobby of the theater (all vinyl) unless we get permission from the little dictator. We are supposed to fill out another form and get another key for the high school cafeteria. We usually cheat and bring an extra garbage bag because moving the whole cast to a separate building takes so much precious time.
They treat that damned theater like a plastic coated sofa. It will be out of style before anyone really gets it nice and gritty. I am tired of the nit picky way the damn place is run. Everyone knows Puck has odd hours. He is a sub so works some days and some not. We are expected to ask for date over a year in advance and if we don't then we lose days. We work around all the concerts... We put in at least twice the hours the service contract calls for. We try to appease parents and administration and at the same time teach kids what it is like to perform in quality shows.
I have been typing up little biographies of the kids to post with their pictures in the lobbies. I look at their smiling, proud faces and read how they love drama, and want to be in shows all through middle and high school, how they used to be afraid to be in front of groups and now they are not. How they have made new friends with kids from all grades and I can barely keep my tears back.
I am just so tired of all the fucking crap that goes along with it and the lack of support. I have had a good cry, but I don't think it will be my last one.
Puck has always marched a little to his own drummer and has ticked off the director of our facility on occasion, but things came to a head on Thursday last after he had changed two lights around just before the band concert. Now our play goes on this weekend and Puck was trying to get as far ahead as possible to give us time to work with our light cues. Maddie designed the lights and I think he was trying to give her time as well and work around her very busy schedule. I told him he was not supposed to mess around with the lights until after the band concert, but he talked to the director and e-mailed him. He even forwarded me an e-mail that seemed to indicate directions from him about moving lights... nothing about not touching them at all.
Well on thursday I get an e-mail from Paul (the director) asking if Puck had messed with the lights. For one thing I have no idea why he sent me the damn e-mail and not just asked Puck. I am not my husband's zoo keeper and he is the tech director... I am not. Anyhow I forwarded it on to Puck who responded apologetically that he had moved two lights and did something with a floor dimmer (not really sure what that was about.
Paul came back with a vengence. First of all we did no have written permission to be at the theater at that time slot and second he (paul) had told him specifically not to fiddle with the lights (that part is a damn lie)
He was right about not having the time slot, but Puck had requested it and frankly we hardly see each other at this time of the year. I do my best to keep track of the calender, but we both have been so sick and had trouble with weather and requesting new days. Puck honestly thought he had the date. We have had it before so it was not an unfamiliar thing.
So I knew Paul was pissed, but when Puck went over to deliver a poster Paul handed him a formal letter addressed to the superintendant of schools, both principals, and the building administrator stating that Puck was not to be allowed any keys to the light booth, catwalks or rigging until 1 to 2 weeks before any production he works on and at that time he must request the keys from Paul (the big prick) Essentially this castrates Puck as far as doing the part of theater he loves. Lights! Interesting that he did not decide to included any of the theater supervisors in that letter. This keeps him from touching any lights, but also using any rigging to fly things or move curtains. Of course I could get the keys, but how would that help things?
Unless we get this sorted out he will resign... and if he goes I have to go too. I don't want to work with an inferior designer... if we both go then dear Rob (my co-director) will go too and that pretty much kills middle school drama. I would resign my contract at the high school as well. It would put a major crimp in high school drama as well.
Rob sent a carefully worded e-mail off to the superintendant of schools whose response was less than supportive. He reccomended that we meet with Paul and work things out among our selves. I think I am tired of working uphill. I think the kids appreciate what we do, but it sure would be nice to have a little support from the powers that be.
Oh and Paul (the little dictator) sends me an e-mail on monday that only has the words "Look at this" with three pictures attached. They showed black scuff marks in the back hallway of the theater. there were maybe 5 or 6 of them. They were long and looked deliberate, but heck... that was after three days of rehearsing 40 kids 5 hours a day Sheesh! what does he expect?
Sometimes we break rules that we didn't even know existed... like the weapons form we have to fill out to bring any plastic gun or sword or axe into the place. Two years I never needed it and it was never in the use form. then last year I mention guns and get yelled at. I suggest that it would be helpful to have it in the form so at least people would know what to expect. Now it is in the form, but dang if you can find the damn form when you want it. It is buried in a mound of rules.
We cannot eat in the lobby of the theater (all vinyl) unless we get permission from the little dictator. We are supposed to fill out another form and get another key for the high school cafeteria. We usually cheat and bring an extra garbage bag because moving the whole cast to a separate building takes so much precious time.
They treat that damned theater like a plastic coated sofa. It will be out of style before anyone really gets it nice and gritty. I am tired of the nit picky way the damn place is run. Everyone knows Puck has odd hours. He is a sub so works some days and some not. We are expected to ask for date over a year in advance and if we don't then we lose days. We work around all the concerts... We put in at least twice the hours the service contract calls for. We try to appease parents and administration and at the same time teach kids what it is like to perform in quality shows.
I have been typing up little biographies of the kids to post with their pictures in the lobbies. I look at their smiling, proud faces and read how they love drama, and want to be in shows all through middle and high school, how they used to be afraid to be in front of groups and now they are not. How they have made new friends with kids from all grades and I can barely keep my tears back.
I am just so tired of all the fucking crap that goes along with it and the lack of support. I have had a good cry, but I don't think it will be my last one.
Labels: drama
posted by Orbie/\;;/\ @ 6:31 PM
12 comments
