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Tech Week


       This summer, I had the opportunity to have an internship with Dirt Dogs Theater Company for their production of The Graduate. I ran the lights, sound and video for the show. This internship lasted about a month, with the show being open for three weekends. Technical theater is something that I have been interested in for a while, however it is a field that I have very little experience in. This internship was an amazing learning experience for me, and I came out with several valuable new skills. 
       The first week that I started working with Dirt Dogs was tech week for the show. I worked under the management of John Baker, the Design Director for Dirt Dogs. During this week, I had to learn how to make my way around Match Theater, where the show was taking place, learn the names of the cast and crew, learn how to run the lights, as well as turn them on and off, and much more. It was a bit overwhelming and first, but it was a really fun and interesting experience. 
       My first day at the theater was Monday, May 21st. This was the day that Dirt Dogs moved their show into Match Theater, so I mainly just observed and helped with the set, and wherever else I was needed. On my second day, I helped paint the video screens, and then I got to go up in the booth and run the lights for the first time during the run through of the show. The next day I came back was Thursday, which was the last rehearsal before the show opened on Friday. I learned the on and off routine for the soundboard, light board, video computer and projectors, as well as how to test that everything was running smoothly. After a photo shoot of the show, we did the final run through. There were a few glitches, but it gave us good experience on what to do if we have problems during any of the performances.

    

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