Return-Path: X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.10) with PIPE id 40512296; Fri, 29 Dec 2006 03:02:41 -0800 X-List-Processed: mail.prxy.net X-ListMember: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.10) with PIPE id 40512295; Fri, 29 Dec 2006 03:02:40 -0800 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.7 (2006-10-05) on localhost X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.5 required=5.0 tests=ADVANCE_FEE_1,AWL, MISSING_SUBJECT,NO_RECEIVED,NO_RELAYS,SUBJ_HAS_UNIQ_ID,TO_CC_NONE autolearn=no version=3.1.7 X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2.10 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: List-Archive: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #1068 Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 03:02:13 -0800 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 #1068 1. Re: The end of Broadway has arrived by KEITH ARSENAULT 2. Re: holiday video? by Richard Bakos 3. Re: Another job listing by "Daniel O'Donnell" 4. Re: OT: Christmas down under by CB 5. Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions by Loren Schreiber 6. Re: Christmas Shows by CB 7. Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions by "Jon Lagerquist" 8. Re: holiday video? by Kevin Lee Allen 9. Re: OT: Christmas down under by Andy Ciddor 10. Re: VW chandelier? by "Paul Schreiner" 11. Re: The end of Broadway has arrived by Bruce Purdy 12. Sugar Grip Faries by b Ricie 13. Re: The end of Broadway has arrived by Jerry Durand 14. Re: The end of Broadway has arrived by "Tony Deeming" 15. Re: The end of Broadway has arrived by Bruce Purdy 16. Re: The end of Broadway has arrived by Bruce Purdy 17. Re: holiday video? by Clive Mitchell 18. Sand onstage & dust by Daniel J Hays 19. Re: The end of Broadway has arrived by Jerry Durand 20. Re: Sand onstage & dust by "deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com" 21. Re: Sand onstage & dust by "Joe Saint" 22. Re: Sand onstage & dust by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 23. Re: Sand onstage & dust by Benjamin Eastep 24. Re: Sand onstage & dust by Clive Mitchell 25. Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions by "Brian Munroe" 26. Re: Sand onstage & dust by "Jon Ares" 27. Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 28. Re: Sand onstage & dust by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 29. Re: Sand onstage & dust by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 30. Re: holiday video? by 31. Christmas shows by CB 32. Re: Channels/Dimmers/Circuits by CB 33. Re: Sand onstage & dust by John McKernon 34. Re: holiday video? by CB 35. Re: holiday video? by 36. Re: Sand onstage & dust by "Peter Scheu" 37. Re: Sand onstage & dust by Steve Shelley 38. Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions by "Jon Lagerquist" 39. Re: Sand onstage & dust by Steve Shelley 40. Re: Sand onstage & dust by "Steven Santos" 41. Re: Sand onstage & dust by "Steven Santos" 42. Re: Sand onstage & dust by SS *** 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <45F743CB-0D91-47F1-8B73-45C33A8558EC [at] aol.com> From: KEITH ARSENAULT Subject: Re: The end of Broadway has arrived Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:53:52 -0500 but the winners, , , being cast in the "Broadway" show, , will be granted their AEA cards, , , assuming that they don't have them, , , On Dec 27, 2006, at 10:24 PM, MissWisc [at] aol.com wrote: Herrick [at] HGLightingDesign.com writes: << Do all these kids get equity cards? >> Nah... TV is SAG, though IIRC you can be on one or two programs before you have to join. Kristi Keith L Arsenault International Arts & Entertainment Group Tampa, Florida www.iaeginc.com 813 831 3465 office 813 205 0893 cellular iaeg [at] aol.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4593C360.1040001 [at] StudioOneSB.com> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:15:12 -0500 From: Richard Bakos Organization: Studio One Inc. Subject: Re: holiday video? References: In-Reply-To: Put it on Utube so we may all enjoy. rigger [at] tds.net wrote: >Ahhh, yes. The Dance of the Sugar-Grip Fairies. > >Not only do I remember it, I have it saved as (I think) a QuickTime movie. Remind me this weekend when I get home, and I'll send it to you off-list. > > > -- Richard Bakos President Studio One Inc. 25833 State Road 2 South Bend, In 46619-4736 VOICE 574-232-9084 FAX 574-232-2220 Rick [at] StudioOneSB.com www.StudioOnesb.com ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <58AA403B-B80A-4D59-8132-7F997B9DAFC7 [at] mystykworks.com> From: "Daniel O'Donnell" Subject: Re: Another job listing Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 09:39:45 -0500 Greetings, If you have not found someone yet for the position I would like to be considered. I've been the research assistant on a couple of books, neither of which has had anything to do with theater. But it does give me some experience in doing the research and collation of information. I'm a lighting designer by trade, with a side job of computer consulting. As for being able to present the information in a way that you could understand it, that would depend on the information. I have a fairly broad based range of knowledge, but if I don't understand the topic at all, it would be hard for me to explain it to someone else. Hmm, last book I read... Currently reading "A Baroque Fable" which has it's good points, but seems to be rather slow in getting to the punch line, but it's mainly SF and fantasy that I read for pleasure. Thanks for your time, hoping to hear from you soon. Dan On Dec 27, 2006, at 10:20 AM, Bill Sapsis wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see stagecraft.theprices.net/> > --------------------------------------------------- > > Hello again. I'm looking for another person. > > First...the disclaimer. The following job listing is not for Sapsis > Rigging. At least not at this time. It's for working for me > directly. It > has very little to do with the rigging business at this time > although that > could change at a moments notice. You need not be certified. > > I'm looking for a research assistant. Someone who has good analytical > skills and is well organized. I have several projects that need > someone to > look up stuff for me, organize it and then present it to me in a > manner that > I can understand. (go ahead guys. Take your best shot. I'm > pitching big > fat slo-pitch softballs here.) No, I cannot tell you what those > projects > are at this time. > > This is a part time job. You do not have to live here or move > here. This > is why Al Gore invented the Internet. I do not anticipate travel > opportunities with this job but, then again, I did not anticipate > being in > the rigging business this long either. With the right person this > could be > a long term position. With the wrong person it'll last about 15 > minutes. > > It sure beats flipping burgers. > > Salary is negotiable, of course. Please email comments, questions, > resume > and the title/author of the last book (no text books please) you > read to > > > Thanks > Bill S. > ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre > ETCP Council Member > www.sapsis-rigging.com > 800.727.7471 > 267.278.4561 mobile > > > > > > --- Daniel R. O'Donnell dan [at] mystyk.com http://www.mystyk.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20061228072627.00c7b508 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 07:26:27 From: CB Subject: Re: OT: Christmas down under >> History is far more interesting than the stuff they told you in high >> school, most of college, and any of Church! >Does that include the Pagan church? Well, inasmuch as, "You're soaking in it!", yeah, I guess it does. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.2.20061228062645.04b8ed50 [at] mail.sdsu.edu> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:53:38 -0800 From: Loren Schreiber Subject: Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions In-Reply-To: References: Hey Jon, The 2003 USITT Tech Expo catalog contains an article I wrote titled "An Ultra-low Winch Deck." It is a method of tracking and cabling wagons in a winch deck that is only 3/4" thick. The system works very well and is very easy to install. I will attempt to describe: Imagine a 2-1/2" wide strip of 1/2" plywood with a 3" wide strip of 1/4" hardboard attached so that 1/2" of the hardboard extends past the edge of the plywood. This little overhang is what covers the return of the winch cable. The "winch deck" is nothing more than sheets of 3/4" particle board or MDF, with a 3-1/2" gap between the sheets wherever you want the track. The plywood/hardboard strip is placed in the gap to form a 1/2" wide track--one side is the strip (opposite the overhang) and the other the particle board winch deck. The key to this system is a turnaround mule sheave that is only 3/4" thick as well. That's just a 1/2" thick sheave trapped between two 1/8" aluminium cheek plates, with a 1/2" plywood spacer to keep the lag bolts from squeezing the sheave. It's easier to permanently attach a metal flag to the drive cable and then attach your wagon to the flag, but I have built small receivers and used a detachable knife as well. The other end of the platform is guided with a simple pin riding in the cable slot. The cool thing about the system is that it is dirt cheap, hundreds of feet of track (the strips) can store in a relatively small space and the "winch deck" is mostly full sheets of particle board or MDF, which can be recovered for use elsewhere. In the 2005 USITT Tech Expo catalog has my design for a simple, compact manual winch as well. Together they make a very inexpensive but effective method of moving scenery. Let me know if you would like a copy of the articles and drawings. Loren "Grits" Schreiber Long Reach Long Rider: "Out of the Wings and Into the Wind!" Supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Behind the Scenes: http://www.lrlr.org ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20061228073005.00c7b508 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 07:30:05 From: CB Subject: Re: Christmas Shows >Part of the reason I like working in theatre is the combination of >aromas like sawdust, greasepaint, hemp rope, etc. If a theatre smelled >like the Broad Street Subway, I probably wouldn't enjoy it as much. Multiply that feeling by about a hundred to a thousand times, and now you get why a simple bit of human liquid waste keeps the animals offf the cables. Seriously, there are guys that get paid big bucks to keep bears away from cabins of folk whoi have just moved from the city. They defecate and urinate on the property and it really works. You wouldn't need too much. At the very threshold of what a sensitive human would notice, the animals are already having your Broadstreet subway tunnel experience. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ From: "Jon Lagerquist" Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 07:05:11 -0800 Subject: Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions Reply-to: jon [at] lagerquist.com Message-ID: <45936CA7.32531.920277B [at] jon.lagerquist.com> In-reply-to: References: , While a thick deck is common in many place, we almost almost always use a deck of 3/4 inch with or without a 1/4" show floor. And in this we are able to change wagons, run umbilicals as long as they are small and anything else that we have needed. The plus is that a stack of 3/4" sheets goods is reusable, storable and can be the less expensive material. The con is a increase in cable noise and a need to be very accurate in some sizes and placements. A pair of 1x ramps back to back can also provide a track, places across stage and painted in they can be hard to see from the house. Since this is a stumble opportunity placement is a concern. > For a real winched track (motor or human), with a way to change wagons in > the track, you need around 3" of depth under the decking lid to hide the > cable, sheaves, and dogs Jon Lagerquist Technical Director [at] South Coast Repertory Costa Mesa, CA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 10:15:45 -0500 From: Kevin Lee Allen Subject: Re: holiday video? In-reply-to: Message-id: References:

please! On Dec 28, 2006, at 8:15 AM, Richard Bakos wrote: > Put it on Utube so we may all enjoy. ----- Kevin Lee Allen Architect of Dreams http://www.klad.com 973.744.6352.voice 201.280.3841.mobile klad [at] klad.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.2.20061229020622.035c22b0 [at] kilowatt.com.au> Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:24:33 +1100 From: Andy Ciddor Subject: Re: OT: Christmas down under In-Reply-To: References: As this topic seems intent on running until next Christmas, I thought I should advise that here in Hobart, the southernmost city in Australia, we did actually have a white Christmas. Mount Wellington, the 4000ft peak that overlooks our city, had snowfalls overnight on Christmas eve. Quite a few Hobartians, popped up to the peak (20 minutes drive from the Hobart CBD) for a snowball fight before their Christmas dinner. To put this in perspective, Christmas day is the 25th day of our summer, and the city was ringed with bushfires only a few weeks ago. Of course, none of this has anything to do with anthropogenic climate change. Andy ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 10:26:54 -0500 From: "Paul Schreiner" Subject: Re: VW chandelier? In-Reply-To: References:

> When I saw "VW chandelier", my mind went to one of the cars hanging in > the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It's the orange car in this photo: > > http://tinyurl.com/tltj2 > > Or was that not what you meant? (wink, wink) Well, that's not originally what I had in mind, but now that you mention it, that would definitely be an interesting visual element to incorporate into the set design for "Uncommon Women..." I guess it could be a themed restaurant! :) ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <8A3BD862-CF0C-4492-9086-C93C14CD7791 [at] rochester.rr.com> From: Bruce Purdy Subject: Re: The end of Broadway has arrived Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 11:34:26 -0500 On 28 Dec 2006, at 04:42, Tony Deeming wrote: >> I'm amazed at the numbers of people in my town who I run into >> that haven't >> been to a show at our PAC yet. > > Our problem is that there are still people in our town who don't > seem to > know we're even there!! > "We have a THEATRE in town???" > I hear that way too much myself. Seniors at the colleges in town tell me "I've been here four years, and I never knew this place was here!" (Of course students live an insular life on campus with no real knowledge of the town except the bars!) Even local residents have shown surprise that we exist, although we've been here since 1894! > Mainly down to location, location, location.... (or lack thereof!). > Working hard to address that one! How are you planning on addressing your location - move the Theatre?? :-) We are right in the middle of town, and it's a small City (Less than 14,000), so I don't think location is our problem (For the locals at least!). Bruce ____________________ Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:48:09 -0800 (PST) From: b Ricie Subject: Sugar Grip Faries In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20585.77699.qm [at] web50607.mail.yahoo.com> Here on lil old Cape Cod we have about ten-de-hundred lil old dance schools and just about all of em do some sorta "Nut". Golly we have more "nuts" than technicians to cover em. Er, well... ya know what I mean. So, we organized the "Nutcracker" Mafia. Basically we felt since we had the corner already we should talk like we took it. So remember, if ya want do do a nut in our corner of the world ya better have a chat with PAPA Dur and the Sugar Plum Heavies, or, ya know, your ballerinas might be dancin in cement toe shoes. A final apotheosis, if you will... Brian Rice 508-685-0716 b_ricie [at] yahoo.com "Blessed are the cracked: For it is they who let in the light." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 09:39:04 -0800 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: The end of Broadway has arrived In-reply-to: Message-id: <43926A91-E7EE-47CB-AF57-2CE572FB23E0 [at] interstellar.com> References:

On Dec 28, 2006, at 8:34 AM, Bruce Purdy wrote: > How are you planning on addressing your location - move the > Theatre?? :-) We are right in the middle of town, and it's a small > City (Less than 14,000), so I don't think location is our problem > (For the locals at least!). Where we live is smaller than a city, it's the Town of Los Gatos. I still couldn't tell you what's in the town center/Main St. area, we almost never go there. I know it's mostly touristy shops and things, the last time we went to one was after we saw their web page. The shop was a disappointment, we left without buying anything. We shop in San Jose, have our business shipping & inventory in Campbell, but don't really have anything to do with our own town. I think this is pretty typical now. Not sure how to get people's attention, our local newspaper is delivered to everyone in town free and when issues eventually fall out of our oak tree (we have no idea how the delivery person gets them way up in the tree) we just toss them out unread. Our TV is all DirecTV/TiVO so we rarely see any local channels or commercials. ------------------------------ From: "Tony Deeming" Subject: RE: The end of Broadway has arrived Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:54:18 -0000 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > > Mainly down to location, location, location.... (or lack thereof!). > > Working hard to address that one! > > How are you planning on addressing your location - move the > Theatre?? :-) We are right in the middle of town, and it's a small > City (Less than 14,000), so I don't think location is our problem > (For the locals at least!). > > Bruce Actually, yes! It's always been my aim to somehow get a new build in the town, and I think that we've FINALLY got that first step sorted! The key elements to getting any major new project under way are the support of the user groups, support of the local authority, and the right plans for the future. We (I) know where I want us to be, and what is needed to support the increasing usage of the present facility (that is almost 40 years old, converted from an old 1914 drill hall). We have the general support of the users, which can only grow with the promise of a spanking new theatre. And this summer we met with the local authority who without reservation agreed that we need to move forward and have said they're happy to look at the options with us on a favourable basis. They own and have responsibility of looking after the exterior of the building, and I think they've realised just how much it's going to cost them over the next 20 years just to keep it fit for purpose. It's going to be a LONG hard slog, but I'm hoping for a new facility sometime in the next 5 years or so.... TD ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References:

Message-Id: <6F30380E-8552-4CE8-BF23-BE84287FBC9F [at] rochester.rr.com> From: Bruce Purdy Subject: Re: The end of Broadway has arrived Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:57:40 -0500 On 28 Dec 2006, at 12:39, Jerry Durand wrote: > Where we live is smaller than a city, it's the Town of Los Gatos. > I still couldn't tell you what's in the town center/Main St. area, > we almost never go there. I know it's mostly touristy shops and > things, the last time we went to one was after we saw their web > page. The shop was a disappointment, we left without buying anything. > > We shop in San Jose, have our business shipping & inventory in > Campbell, but don't really have anything to do with our own town. > I think this is pretty typical now. Not sure how to get people's > attention, our local newspaper is delivered to everyone in town > free and when issues eventually fall out of our oak tree (we have > no idea how the delivery person gets them way up in the tree) we > just toss them out unread. Our TV is all DirecTV/TiVO so we rarely > see any local channels or commercials. That's such a sad state of affairs Jerry, but I'm afraid it is pretty common these days. Small town community feeling is struggling to survive. I spent two years in Saratoga, working in San Jose. I well remember Los Gatos (Home of Gary Dahl - inventor of "Pet Rocks".) and I know how insular life in that area can be. I was glad to return to this area of the country. Bruce ____________________ Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <37C36FF8-87F8-4389-92D8-21D4F0D244B1 [at] rochester.rr.com> From: Bruce Purdy Subject: Re: The end of Broadway has arrived Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:11:19 -0500 On 28 Dec 2006, at 13:54, Tony Deeming wrote: >> How are you planning on addressing your location - move the >> Theatre?? :-) > > Actually, yes! > It's always been my aim to somehow get a new build in the town, and > I think > that we've FINALLY got that first step sorted! Ah, well that makes sense I suppose. A "Theatre" can be many things - a company that produces shows and can do so anywhere, or a performing arts centre that simply provides a good place to hold the shows. (The latter sounds like what you have, which can be replaced in another location.) Or - as in our case - an historic architectural showplace with over a hundred years of ghosts and memories. to "Move" or "Replace" it would be unthinkable. I have to remind myself that all theatres are not the same. Good luck with your move Tony! Bruce ____________________ Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:24:44 +0000 From: Clive Mitchell Subject: Re: holiday video? References: In-Reply-To: In message , rigger [at] tds.net writes >Ahhh, yes. The Dance of the Sugar-Grip Fairies. > >Not only do I remember it, I have it saved as (I think) a QuickTime >movie. Remind me this weekend when I get home, and I'll send it to you >off-list. Stick it on youtube so we can all see it. -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:06:47 -0800 (PST) From: Daniel J Hays Subject: Sand onstage & dust Message-id: <1199471.1167336407110.JavaMail.dhays [at] pcc.edu> So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. I can hear the chuckles already. Having never used real sand onstage, I would like feedback from those who have walked this road already. What exactly am I getting myself into? Here are the givens: A 24' diameter platform, with rolling rake, will be covered with 4" to 8" of dry sand. Think of Temple of Delphi, as a partial archialogical dig. Theatre in the round, with audience 3' away. Our Grounds department will deliver & pick up as much as 8 cubic yards of sand commonly used to augement their soil, for free. Sounds good so far. The stock is in a pile, open to the elements. Think of West Coast shoreline sand, that's it. Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue, but the winter freeze should diminish their numbers. Load in is in mid-February in Portland, OR. We have 10 days loading in prior to tech. So sifting is an option, as is rinsing. Sand can also be lightly misted with moisture each pre-show, if that helps keep dust down. The budget is small, so purchasing sand is no-go. Any thoughts? Dan Hays PCC Performing Arts Center dhays [at] pcc.edu ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:13:11 -0800 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: The end of Broadway has arrived In-reply-to: Message-id: <7.0.1.0.0.20061228120903.01f8fae0 [at] interstellar.com> References:

At 10:57 AM 12/28/2006, Bruce Purdy wrote: > That's such a sad state of affairs Jerry, but I'm afraid it is >pretty common these days. Small town community feeling is struggling >to survive. Doesn't help when the small shops are replaced by chain stores. :( >I spent two years in Saratoga, working in San Jose. I >well remember Los Gatos (Home of Gary Dahl - inventor of "Pet >Rocks".) Also home of several computer companies within walking distance of here. NetFlix was a couple of blocks away, but moved to Campbell which is a long walk. Ask Jeeves is (was?) here, too. Then there was Wheels of Zeus (WOZ around the corner). Lots of history here, some still being made. >and I know how insular life in that area can be. I was glad >to return to this area of the country. At least the people running for office still show up at our door to hand out candies. But, still no real reason to go to the town center anymore. :( -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 Skype: jerrydurand ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:12:32 -0500 Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust From: "deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com" Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Think warm building, eggs hatch and insects, especially sand fleas hatch. Fleas bite actors, actors bite technicians. Who do you call? Do you exterminate? Steve > From: Daniel J Hays > Reply-To: "Stagecraft" > Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:06:47 -0800 (PST) > To: "Stagecraft" > Subject: Sand onstage & dust > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. > > I can hear the chuckles already. Having never used real sand onstage, > I would like feedback from those who have walked this road already. > What exactly am I getting myself into? > > Here are the givens: > > A 24' diameter platform, with rolling rake, will be covered with 4" to > 8" of dry sand. Think of Temple of Delphi, as a partial archialogical > dig. Theatre in the round, with audience 3' away. > > Our Grounds department will deliver & pick up as much as 8 cubic yards > of sand commonly used to augement their soil, for free. Sounds good so > far. The stock is in a pile, open to the elements. Think of West Coast > shoreline sand, that's it. > > Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue, > but the winter freeze should diminish their numbers. Load in is in > mid-February in Portland, OR. > > We have 10 days loading in prior to tech. So sifting is an option, as > is rinsing. Sand can also be lightly misted with moisture each > pre-show, if that helps keep dust down. > > The budget is small, so purchasing sand is no-go. > > Any thoughts? > > Dan Hays > PCC Performing Arts Center > dhays [at] pcc.edu ------------------------------ From: "Joe Saint" Subject: RE: Sand onstage & dust Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:15:26 -0500 Message-ID: <007a01c72abc$e9e81db0$640fa8c0 [at] D3G47461> In-Reply-To: -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Daniel J Hays Subject: Sand onstage & dust So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. I can hear the chuckles already. Having never used real sand onstage, I would like feedback from those who have walked this road already. What exactly am I getting myself into? Mist the sand before every performance. Mist it again after every performance as part of your post-show routine. Then cover the sand with a plastic drop cloth to keep the moisture in. Be aware that strike will take far longer than you think it will to remove all the sand. Joe Saint President IMCD Lighting 646-415-7588 www.imcdlighting.com ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:34:47 GMT Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust Message-Id: <20061228.123449.8266.1014087 [at] webmail37.lax.untd.com> NOTE: Please remind Theatre Cats as to proper etiquette, in re: sand. /s/ Richard __________________________ So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. = I can hear the chuckles already. Having never used real sand onstage, = I would like feedback from those who have walked this road already. = ------------------------------ Message-ID: <45943856.4060201 [at] shifting.ca> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:34:14 -0700 From: Benjamin Eastep Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust References: In-Reply-To: > We have 10 days loading in prior to tech. So sifting is an option, as > is rinsing. Sand can also be lightly misted with moisture each > pre-show, if that helps keep dust down. > Misting: Yes, Definitely! Use a (clean) hudson sprayer... Also keep in mind, over the run of the show you're going to be putting quite a bit of water down, so make sure you have a solid layer of plastic underneath the sand (a double layer of heavy poly should do it, as long as you don't damage it during load in. If you don't do this, the sand will trap water against the floor and you can pretty much count on warpage. > Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue I'd be worried about bugs hatching when you bring them into the warm... (don't really have any solutions for that one though) Ben Eastep ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:54:56 +0000 From: Clive Mitchell Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust References: In-Reply-To: In message , "ladesigners [at] juno.com" writes >NOTE: Please remind Theatre Cats as to proper etiquette, in re: sand. Hey buddy, I'm a cat. When I need to go I need to go. Besides, have you seen the state of my kitty litter box recently? It reached the top about a year ago. I'm not just here to eat rats and calm down hysterical actresses you know. I have needs too. Besides, when a show has just finished and the lights are off, that toasty hot sand is an absolute delight to squish my little furry butt into and let rip. You should try it sometime. -- Hamlet the theatre cat. ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:28:07 -0500 From: "Brian Munroe" Subject: Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions In-Reply-To: References:

On 12/28/06, Loren Schreiber wrote: > The key to this system is a turnaround mule sheave that is only 3/4" > thick as well. That's just a 1/2" thick sheave trapped between two > 1/8" aluminium cheek plates, with a 1/2" plywood spacer to keep the > lag bolts from squeezing the sheave. Loren - Do you have an issue with the cable cutting into the house floor? How about the pins jumping out of such a shallow track? Brian Munroe bpmunroe [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <000901c72ad4$e76667f0$0400000a [at] BRUTUS> From: "Jon Ares" References: Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:07:10 -0800 > Our Grounds department will deliver & pick up as much as 8 cubic yards > of sand commonly used to augement their soil, for free. Sounds good so > far. The stock is in a pile, open to the elements. Think of West Coast > shoreline sand, that's it. Hey hey Daniel J. Don't have any empirical info to pass on - I was in a show once with sand (clean, sterile stuff), but haven't designed any with the real stuff. That said, here is a suggestion or two - take it with a grain of salt (hopefully there isn't any in your sand). First off, you said "think West Coast shoreline sand." Coming from a family that owns plant nurseries, and having spent way too much summer time working at said plant nurseries, I can tell you around here the sand they usually use in soil amendment is a grey, possibly 'shoreline' river sand, but most of the time is a ground stone. Regardless, it's usually pretty grey - not very 'sand' colored. It's hopefully not beach sand - that salt kills plants. :) (Unlikely that it is, if the Grounds department uses it.) Is it sterile sand? Besides the bugs others have suggested may hatch when they come out of their winter sleep on your nice, warm, dry deck, I'd also be worried that your theatre will smell like dead eels, if it's Ross Island Sand & Gravel brand of river sand. Maybe boiling the sand is possible - I've never done it. (But you're going to be using a LOT of sand - I wouldn't want to be the boiler!) Somethin' to think about.... - Jon Ares www.hevanet.com/acreative ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:32:31 EST Subject: Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions In a message dated 28/12/06 02:02:52 GMT Standard Time, bpmunroe [at] gmail.com writes: > > I'm looking at one or two wagons, maybe the venerable 4x8 sized. Need it > to > > traverse the stage, and I realize I'll probably need to build up the area > > where the wire rope, or other gizmos will be, but I won't be decking over > > the whole stage. > > Do the wagons really need a track or guide to function? If you are > not going to deck the entire stage, or at least the portion where the > wagon is going, then it might look a little silly having a track/cable > cover in the middle of the stage. Emphatically, yes. I still remember the first show we did after we had been sold a lot ot new trucks(wagons), and by a member.yet! It was "Richard II", and there is a photoghaph on my photobucket site. There were six trucks, each a 6' hexagon. Three were anything up to 6'high, and not too hard to manage. The other three were 6" high, and I laughed my socks off watching the crew (AKA "The Whole British Army") poling them around with the blunt ends of their halberds. The wheels were all castored, and they had not grasped the basic principle that if such a truck comes to a halt heading South, when next you move it it's going South, regardless. Not very far, maybe, but South. We had more luck later. For "Fiddler", the house was on two 12' x 6' trucks, with a common pivot point attached to the stage. They were somewhat independent, allowing the house to open up for interiors. Tom Stoppard's "Jumpers" was even more complicated, with two big trucks on pivots, one of which had a smaller truck hinged to one corner. We had trouble with "Pickwick", though. The stage coach was on a 12' x 6' truck, guided by a knife between gently sloping bars. For silence, we had used rubber tyred wheels. This worked fine when the coach was empty. Unfortunately, with six people up, the tyres compressed to such an extent that the knife was bindin on the stage. A hectic hour was spent in replacing them with nylon wheels. The motive power for that one was four stagehands at the run down the back stage corridor, through a 4:1 purchase. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:45:45 EST Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust In a message dated 28/12/06 20:15:53 GMT Standard Time, deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com writes: > Think warm building, eggs hatch and insects, > especially sand fleas hatch. Fleas bite > actors, actors bite technicians. Who do you > call? Do you exterminate? Send for your local Dalek. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <483.2407524c.32c5b2b9 [at] aol.com> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:52:25 EST Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust In a message dated 28/12/06 20:16:09 GMT Standard Time, joe [at] imcdlighting.com writes: > So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. > > I can hear the chuckles already. Having never used real sand onstage, > I would like feedback from those who have walked this road already. > What exactly am I getting myself into? > > > Mist the sand before every performance. > Mist it again after every performance as part of your post-show routine. > Then cover the sand with a plastic drop cloth to keep the moisture in. The ENO production of Philip Glass's "Akhenaten" had the stage 6" deep in sand, with a stream running through it. A direct query would probably receive a helpful response. Failing that, there is always Google. Include Coliseum in the search. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: Subject: Re: Re: holiday video? Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 0:00:44 +0000 Message-Id: <20061229000044.NWGN14642.outaamta02.mail.tds.net [at] smtp.tds.net> > From: Kevin Lee Allen >> Put it on Utube so we may all enjoy. > > please! Nope. I get more than enough spam these days; I'm not registering for YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, or any other such online wahoo. That'd be asking, nay *begging* for even more spam. If you want the .mpeg, I'm more than happy to send it to you privately, then you may enjoy. Just remind me of it off-list this weekend, when I'll be home. -- Dave Vick rigger [at] tds.net 20/20 Design ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20061228165752.00c90728 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 16:57:52 From: CB Subject: Christmas shows >CB, You are a constant reminder that if one wants to >keep ones computer and screen clean of their beverage >of choice, One should sip said beverage between >reading posts, NOT while reading posts. I think that half of the typos in my posts can be attributed to SKS (Saturated Keyboard Syndrome). Cheers, bro, I owe you a beer! Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20061228170407.00c90728 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:04:07 From: CB Subject: Re: Re: Channels/Dimmers/Circuits >> P.S. I see you rigger-types out there that are slackin, too. Not that all >> squints and riggers lack manners or technical skills, mind you... >Excuse me??????? That caveat was written with your personal internet manners in mind, mind you, so that those of you that *are* well-mannered would see themselves in the caveat, not in the general, sawed-off comment that I made. Yes, it pleases me to read most every one of your posts, Dave. (Cheez, sensitive much?) ; > Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:35:38 -0500 Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust From: John McKernon Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue, > but the winter freeze should diminish their numbers. Load in is in > mid-February in Portland, OR. > > We have 10 days loading in prior to tech. So sifting is an option, as > is rinsing. Sand can also be lightly misted with moisture each > pre-show, if that helps keep dust down. I worked on two nightclubs in Tokyo back in the 1980's that had sand covering the floors in the seating areas that surrounded the dance floor (which itself was not covered in sand). The sand created huge problems... In an attempt to keep the ever-present dust down, they sprinkled water on the sand daily - the water then wicked up into the wooden furniture, producing ugly stains. Dancers tracked bits of sand onto the dance floor, where it was pulverized and eventually sucked into the HVAC system, the projection equipment, the lights, and even into the guts of the lighting console (an Expression, which had piles of sand dust filling its interior). The owners had to replace all of the HVAC equipment (including the fan motors and bearings) as well as most of the lights and dimming system, in addition to the furniture. Hopefully your run is short, your HVAC system is well filtered, you have tarps to cover your audience seating and floors between shows, and your floor and furniture are waterproof. NYU recently did a show with a *lot* of real dirt onstage (as well as a sheep) for one of their shows, all I heard was that it smelled to high heaven - even before the sheep arrived. Good luck! - John ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20061228171428.00c90728 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:14:28 From: CB Subject: Re: holiday video? > A couple years back someone posted a link for some sort of a dance of > the sugar plum grip. It was a short video clip, and was basically just > a grip cavorting around in a pink tutu hanging an ornament on a boom. I > think. > > Does anyone have a link for this that still works? Does anyone even > remember this? Greg's the one with less hair on his face, more on his head. I chide him about the placement of the sandbags, still... Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ From: Subject: Re: Re: holiday video? Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 0:54:07 +0000 Message-Id: <20061229005407.OFHM14642.outaamta02.mail.tds.net [at] smtp.tds.net> From: CB > Greg's the one with less hair on his face, more on his head. I chide him > about the placement of the sandbags, still... > Guess I don't have to send out a bunch of .mpegs this weekend after all, huh? (kidding! i still will for whomever wants it.) -- Dave Vick rigger [at] tds.net 20/20 Design ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "Peter Scheu" Subject: RE: Sand onstage & dust Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:55:23 -0500 Organization: Scheu Consulting Services, Inc. Message-ID: In-reply-to: I don't know their source, but Cirque du Soleil uses ground up cork for = the beach scene in Ka. From the backstage tour and "show and tell" I = attended in Vegas during LDI, the tech director said it was essentially dust free = and was easy to clean up and sift out any larger foreign objects. FWIW... Don't know if this would work for you. Most of the audience for = Ka sits a good distance away, so the "30 foot rule" applies. Peter Scheu Scheu Consulting Services, Inc. 317 Carlton Road Syracuse, NY 13207 USA =20 Tel: 315.422.9984 fax: 413.513.4966 E-mail: peter [at] scheuconsulting.com Web: www.scheuconsulting.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:25:34 -0500 Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust From: Steve Shelley Message-ID: In-Reply-To: As memory serves, whenever we did a "sand" show at spoleto we always purchased "sand-box sand", presumably passing the quality and health grade to be used in sand boxes occupied by children. Regardless, for any length of run longer than a week, we typically budgeted in additional monies on top of the cost (and transport to and from) of the sand; extensive poly to line the surface under the sand, wet/dry vacs to attempt to control the sand, wetted towels offstage in futile attempts to contain the sand, and spraying equipment to reduce the dust eminating from the sand. In some cases, additional HVAC helped. In other cases, we purchased and changed the air filters on very regulated and closely-observed schedules. To maintain the sand, we had rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, screeens (for sifting when needed), and hoses, not to mention masks, gloves, aprons, and air filtration devices for crew that were around it for extensive periods of time. Sand, like dirt, should not be taken lightly. Depending on the cast and the show, it might be well worth it to check for any allergies or health conditions of the participants before final commitment to this project. Hth, shelley On 12/28/06 7:35 PM, "John McKernon" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > >> Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue, >> but the winter freeze should diminish their numbers. Load in is in >> mid-February in Portland, OR. >> >> We have 10 days loading in prior to tech. So sifting is an option, as >> is rinsing. Sand can also be lightly misted with moisture each >> pre-show, if that helps keep dust down. > > I worked on two nightclubs in Tokyo back in the 1980's that had sand > covering the floors in the seating areas that surrounded the dance floor > (which itself was not covered in sand). The sand created huge problems... > > In an attempt to keep the ever-present dust down, they sprinkled water on > the sand daily - the water then wicked up into the wooden furniture, > producing ugly stains. > > Dancers tracked bits of sand onto the dance floor, where it was pulverized > and eventually sucked into the HVAC system, the projection equipment, the > lights, and even into the guts of the lighting console (an Expression, which > had piles of sand dust filling its interior). > > The owners had to replace all of the HVAC equipment (including the fan > motors and bearings) as well as most of the lights and dimming system, in > addition to the furniture. > > Hopefully your run is short, your HVAC system is well filtered, you have > tarps to cover your audience seating and floors between shows, and your > floor and furniture are waterproof. > > NYU recently did a show with a *lot* of real dirt onstage (as well as a > sheep) for one of their shows, all I heard was that it smelled to high > heaven - even before the sheep arrived. > > Good luck! > > - John > > -- Steve Shelley SoftSymbols Designer MrTemplate [at] Earthlink.net www.fieldtemplate.com ------------------------------ From: "Jon Lagerquist" Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:30:15 -0800 Subject: Re: Tracked or cabled wagon solutions Reply-to: jon [at] lagerquist.com Message-ID: <4593FF27.30263.B5CCA64 [at] jon.lagerquist.com> In-reply-to: References: , , I expect that for Loren it is the same as for me (we have been comparing short tracks for a bunch of years). The cable has almost no effect of the floor in a couple of months. The total amount of movement is so small that you will see some shinning but generally that is all. I do have some track sections where there is an periodic section of UHMW that the cable rides on. This more for noise than wear and we do not use them most of the time. Short dogs require that there not be lots of slop. I have seen unit try to take their own path, but only on a rare occasion. To attach to dogs we make use of blades, pins, bolts, ball release pins among other devises. The nature of the piece and speed of the change help drive the choice. > Loren - Do you have an issue with the cable cutting into the house > floor? How about the pins jumping out of such a shallow track? Jon Lagerquist Technical Director [at] South Coast Repertory Costa Mesa, CA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:21:14 -0500 Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust From: Steve Shelley Message-ID: In-Reply-To: I just re-read and saw the "rolling rake" line. Is the actual stage surface not flat? If that is the case, then I'm not certain how the sand will behave if the action on the sand moves the granules around. shelley On 12/28/06 3:06 PM, "Daniel J Hays" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. > > I can hear the chuckles already. Having never used real sand onstage, > I would like feedback from those who have walked this road already. > What exactly am I getting myself into? > > Here are the givens: > > A 24' diameter platform, with rolling rake, will be covered with 4" to > 8" of dry sand. Think of Temple of Delphi, as a partial archialogical > dig. Theatre in the round, with audience 3' away. > > Our Grounds department will deliver & pick up as much as 8 cubic yards > of sand commonly used to augement their soil, for free. Sounds good so > far. The stock is in a pile, open to the elements. Think of West Coast > shoreline sand, that's it. > > Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue, > but the winter freeze should diminish their numbers. Load in is in > mid-February in Portland, OR. > > We have 10 days loading in prior to tech. So sifting is an option, as > is rinsing. Sand can also be lightly misted with moisture each > pre-show, if that helps keep dust down. > > The budget is small, so purchasing sand is no-go. > > Any thoughts? > > Dan Hays > PCC Performing Arts Center > dhays [at] pcc.edu -- Steve Shelley SoftSymbols Designer MrTemplate [at] Earthlink.net www.fieldtemplate.com ------------------------------ From: "Steven Santos" Subject: RE: Sand onstage & dust Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:25:53 -0500 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: OK, I have not read this thread, so some of this may be repeats... First thought is you nuts. But if your doing this anyways... I knew a preschool teacher that had a sand room in her school. The sand = room lasted for 5 years, until she retired. 18 inches of sand in a = 10x10 room for lil ones to dig in. Some things I learned about sand from her: - Sift and rinse before bringing into the building, not after. - Shop style dust ventilation is your best friend. Good ventilation is = a must, but make sure to plan you air flow - you want to encourage the = dust moving out of the building - If possible, use a wet sift, as it removes a LOT of the dust - Use bleach and water for a wet sift. 1:10 solution works best - Make sure to plan for dranage - The Ionic Breezes work well for removing the dust from the air - Use in the sifting area as well as the on and off stage areas - You might want to plan for how you will deal with sand filled costumes = as well - Plastic wading pools and shower curtians are good for shaking = out between sand and non sand areas. - Mice and sand are a bad mixture - Sand will get into everything. Plan for it. - Watering the sand helps a lot - All of that water has to go someplace. Again, plan for dranage - Make sure you can do maintanence on the drain. - Cover the sand when not in use.=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Steven Santos Director, Simply Circus, Inc. Email: Steven [at] SimplyCircus.com Mail: PO BOX 620753 Newton, MA 02462 Phone: 781-799-4938 eFax: 309-214-0899 Web: www.SimplyCircus.com =20 > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net]On Behalf Of Daniel = J > Hays > Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 3:07 PM > To: Stagecraft > Subject: Sand onstage & dust >=20 >=20 > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see = > --------------------------------------------------- >=20 > So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. =20 >=20 > I can hear the chuckles already. Having never used real sand onstage, = > I would like feedback from those who have walked this road already. =20 > What exactly am I getting myself into? >=20 > Here are the givens: >=20 > A 24' diameter platform, with rolling rake, will be covered with 4" to = > 8" of dry sand. Think of Temple of Delphi, as a partial archialogical = > dig. Theatre in the round, with audience 3' away. >=20 > Our Grounds department will deliver & pick up as much as 8 cubic yards = > of sand commonly used to augement their soil, for free. Sounds good = so=20 > far. The stock is in a pile, open to the elements. Think of West = Coast=20 > shoreline sand, that's it. >=20 > Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue,=20 > but the winter freeze should diminish their numbers. Load in is in=20 > mid-February in Portland, OR. >=20 > We have 10 days loading in prior to tech. So sifting is an option, as = > is rinsing. Sand can also be lightly misted with moisture each=20 > pre-show, if that helps keep dust down. >=20 > The budget is small, so purchasing sand is no-go. >=20 > Any thoughts? >=20 > Dan Hays > PCC Performing Arts Center > dhays [at] pcc.edu >=20 >=20 ------------------------------ From: "Steven Santos" Subject: RE: Sand onstage & dust Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:41:29 -0500 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > > Problem, the test sample has dust in it. Bugs may also be an issue >=20 > I'd be worried about bugs hatching when you bring them into the = warm...=20 > (don't really have any solutions for that one though) You can always have the sand treated with a properly registered = pesticide prior to load-in. Demand CS, Suspend CS, Tempo CS, Termador = and TalStar are all chemical options that come to mind (all are broad = based insecticides, and registered for soil treatments, which this would = be). Cedercide is another (non-toxic) option, but that gets really = pricey. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <8231e7ea0612282013q51deb3d8jd34b6508cde2e5dd [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 23:13:15 -0500 From: SS Subject: Re: Sand onstage & dust In-Reply-To: References: > So I made the decision to use sand in the set design onstage. (snippage) > Any thoughts? Yes.... ugh! But seriously, this is just my .02, since I've done several different shows involving dirt like substances. One gig I worked that used real sand was a touring dance fiasco of sorts. The sand they had was clean prior to heading out on the road (probably sand-box sand, like Steve mentioned. very white and fine). They kept it stored in plexi tank with a removable lid (dancers had to meander through the sand on stage in the performance. the plexi tank, roughly 6" deep, was fitted/leveled into decking, or rocks in this case, thus making transport and maintenance easier). The tank had visqueen in the bottom. Obviously your situation is different, so I do not have any "preshow" advice on that aspect. However, I will second everyone else's advice on misting it regularly with a clean Hudson Sprayer. Before, and after, every performance we raked it clean, misted that sucker down, and kept a visqueen "tarp" over it when not in use. It locked the moisture in, and minimized the dust issue. Another show had us shoveling in what seemed like tons and tons of dirt/soil (we created a barn interior within a blackbox, complete with real dung hidden around the space for authenticity!!!). Not a fun load in to say the least!! Anywho, we put down multiple layers of visqueen, again, for this one. The purchased dirt was (supposedly) free of bugs, pests, and other things that would have been harmful to those in the space, so we had no issues there. Misting was a necessity here as well because it kept the dirt moist and packed nicely during the run. Otherwise it would break up, and dry out. And lastly, to briefly touch on what Joe said.... strike was a bitch!! But once the majority of the dirt had been removed, the visqueen was just "folded" with the remaining dirt on it, and brought outside for trash removal. A little shop vac action did the rest. It never harmed the floor in the space. HTH. Good luck. -SS TTS-EKU "I once prayed to god for a bike, but quickly found out he didn't work that way...so I stole a bike and prayed for his forgiveness" ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #1068 ******************************