One of the little joys of running a lighting console during a show is when one of your light cues acts as a punchline for a scripted joke. Hit GO, audience laughs.

Chicago: A reminder for those working shows in the Loop or who pass through the Loop that this Saturday is the No Kings protest. The official location is Butler Field in Grant Park (the original band shell field, just north of the fountain, directly east of the Art Institute) starting at noon.

Reposting for those who do large-scale events and may use/own golf cart type vehicles for transportation around event sites.

@chrisltsmith.bsky.social Happy Birthday!!!

7 years ago today:

Between show naps on loadout day. #tourlife

October is for baseb… er, pumpkins.

Ah, well…

The things I do for my audience during a playoff run (but only at preshow, intermission, & postshow).

Not my stagehands. :-)

I also appreciated this sign in the Globe gift shop ⚔️🚫

I saw Twelfth Night and it was wonderful. And an absolutely glorious night on the Thames when the play was done

QotD: "They're just sitting there, professionally collecting dust." -Stagehand describing some unused props.

I too lost the Nobel Peace Prize this week. I also lost the MacArthur genius grant. But you don't see me whining about it.

Happy International Stage Management Day!

Chicago: 2 events happening this weekend. The Goodman Theatre is having a costume sale this Saturday, Oct 11, from 10am to 4pm, at the theatre. The Chicago Marathon is this Sunday, Oct 12. This effects the majority of the city, especially the Loop. Take rail-based public transit to cross it.

For all the prayers that may take place at the tech tables, no one ever prays _for_ the tech tables. This has been your deep theatre thought of the day.

"...but don't forget these 'special' experiences (each sold separately): King Lear, Howl Edition: show ticket + listening device w/commentary by the actor. King Lear, Speak Again Edition: show ticket + listening device w/commentary by Cordelia actor" -If theatre was sold like "Life of a Showgirl"

Broadway is facing a possible strike this fall as two of its major labor unions — the one representing actors and stage managers and the one representing musicians — are simultaneously in negotiations for new contracts. Here's what to know.

So when you're claustrophobic, and crawling under a 100 year-old cottage through a hatch only slightly wider than your shoulders, on dirt, and about to duck under a pipe that you swear had more room under it a year ago, it is less than helpful for your flashlight to crap-out at that exact moment.

Ah Michigan, protecting me from simple tasks.

Running around between the two theatres at this venue preshow, dealing with last minute surprises. Kinda harried. Then talked to various people, including one of the celebrities, in my capacity as Head Elec & Steward. Finally get a look in a mirror: my hair looks like a fright wig. #Professional

Streamer cannon #4 is cut today because a new security guy decided to stand in front of it. 🤦🏼‍♀️ (This is why we have the SM call an “enable the streamers” “cue.” It makes me visually check the cannons… Which one was not clear 😕 & we didn’t quite have enough time/access to make him move.)

The labor situation on Broadway is apparently heating up...

Bidding farewell to “war-torn Portland,” and one of my favorite house staffs of all time, as well as the weirdest path I’ve ever had to guide an elephant through. Our two runs here in ‘24 and ‘25 have made the staff and crew here feel like family.

Today's call was an hour earlier than usual due to an audience engagement event. No issues whatsoever... ...until 10 minutes before we're supposed to open the house for the show itself, and then suddenly there's multiple things that need to be dealt with immediately. So, a normal day in theatre.

You don't need to test the in-ear monitors before the show. Just trust the system! Follow me for more questionable #SoundAdviceFromALightingGuy

Chicago Loop theatre folks: The Fall bridge lift season starts in earnest tomorrow morning, as sailboats start coming in off Lake Michigan heading to winter storage. Allow extra travel time the next few Saturday (and I believe Wednesday) mornings if coming into the Loop.

I’ve said it before, but it remains true. One of the great perks of working in this part of the business is being able to hear some of the best albums ever recorded in a multi-million dollar theatre through a million dollar sound system: as part of the job.

Ruin a book with a car: James and the Giant Prius

holy shit a cure for HIV at $40 per patient

The beloved Chicago director and writer leaves a deep legacy as a theatermaker, advocate, and friend. https://bit.ly/4pBIkuM

"On the twenty-first day of the month of September, In the year of a decade not too long before our own, The human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence. And this terrifying enemy surfaced, As such enemies often do, In the seemingly most innocent of unlikely of places..."

Screenshot for reference.

I'm never the one doing the hiring, & when I get questions from those overseas about working in the US, I have always directed them to contact the prospective employer. As such I know only slightly more than nothing about work visas.

Now we’re getting into double-level coverage: Spot starting to learn video system. Board op(me) will start learning spot coverage things. >This “double layer” is critical.< It allows personal days & vaca and such where the “cover” also has coverage = Extreme peace of mind for everyone. 2/2

I spend a LOT of my time at work thinking about contingencies. Today it’s cross-training/coverage contingencies… We travel an audio/lx swing. She covers deck lx, a2, lx console and is starting to learn the a1mix. Deck lx covers spot. Spot also covers lx console (in a more lx-deep) way. 1/2

There's something about walking into an understudy rehearsal in a multi-million dollar theatre with a realistic and highly detailed set, and hearing a stage manager saying "Ring... Ring... Ring" over the dialogue in a specific section until an actor picks up the prop phone. #LifeInTheArts

Partially restored, and still working on it. Just jumping back here to say we appear to have listings for most/(alll?) the head crew positions at The Public Theater that went up yesterday.

I am aware of the current connection problem with the site, and am working to restore it now. I will post again when connectivity has been restored. My apologies for the inconvenience.

this. this is what the internet is for. #neverforget

I got into this business for the glamour and money. And I’m not getting out until I find it.

Me: preshow at opening night with <celebrity>, and <celebrity>, and <celebrity> all waiting to get in. Also me: hurriedly eating reheated glorified Hamburger Helper for dinner between preshow checks & fight call. #LivingTheDream

Breaking: More than 1,000 staff at the Royal Shakespeare Company are being invited to take voluntary redundancy as the theatre organisation grapples with a "challenging" financial situation 👇

I'm sorry this is hilarious

Photos from Jamie Lloyd's "Waiting for Godot" with Keanu reeves and Alex Winter are out. You know you've been curious. Discuss.

29 years ago today was my first day of work at the theatre that is now my main gig. I was 15 minutes late.

Family Views Getting Sunburned As Moral Failing https://theonion.com/family-views-getting-sunburned-as-moral-failing/

Tech Day 8: really more like tech hour.

Tech Day 7: Fine tuning (still not the music kind).