Okay, folks! The dancers and artistic directors and choreographers are filling the interview files on Criticaldance.com! I think there should be some people involved in the technical side of things! <P>Who would you suggest we try to get an interview with? A specific person, or position/job title? What have you always wondered about?<P>

I have always wondered how the stage manager keeps his/her sanity. So many artistic and technical types to deal with. <P>It might also be interesting to write an article on each of the major technical jobs backstage - a brief synopsis of what they do - how they train to do it - the hierarchy. The many things a lighting designer considers, a wardrobe mistress, etc. <P>Maybe incidentals like why some of them are called what they are called. We assume people know this, but I bet there may be people who would really like to know this.<P>Anyway, that's my suggestion.<p>[This message has been edited by Basheva (edited August 06, 2001).]

Great comments Basheva. Aside from the professionals that write regulary here, I'd love to read an interview(s) with Robin Wagner, Jennifer Tipton, Ronald Bates, Ann Hould-Ward,Martin Pakledinaz,Sandra Woodall,Isaac Mizrahi,Lisa J. Pinkham,Santo Loquasto. <BR>Ok, I'll stop there, but I could go on and on. hahahaha<P>D<P>

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Maybe incidentals like why some of them are called what they are called.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Stage electricians are sometimes still called gaffers (the word lives on in the ubiquitous "gaffers' tape"). The term comes to us indirectly from sailing (as much theatre terminology did).<P>In 19th-Century London, there were people who were paid to circulate at daybreak dousing the gas streetlights. They did this with long sticks which were called, in nautical parlance, "gaffs". Hence, they were referred to as "gaffers".

That's very interesting Salzberg - why don't you write a feature on this kind of thing?

The Production Manager of any company... if you can get a hold of them! I very nearly interviewed one but he "mysteriously disappeared from the building" or so I was told...

Oh, wait. I did interview a production staff member. Pretty exciting stuff:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Expectations of San Francisco Ballet's Tour to London, Summer 2001<BR>Azlan Ezaddin talks to the Company prior to its departure<P>...<P>There are other challenges as well. Besides the personnel, "... two shipping containers worth, including costumes..." have to be taken on tour for the ten works to be performed in London, according to Lighting Supervisor Kevin Connaughton, a member of the Production Staff led by the highly experienced Peter Butt. The costumes alone number about 500 by Connaughton's estimate. Some of these must be packed and shipped in advance with the proper carnets or permits to ship across international boundaries: "Shipping has to take place six weeks before we leave via boat. We actually do multiple carnets for each venue and different shipping times. The carnet usually travels with the goods so it has to be ready before the goods ship. Nothing is built on site - we transport everything we need. Even if we need something, we will build it in SF and ship it."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><a href=../../../features/sfblondon2001tour.html target=_blank>More</a>

DavidH, you did see that thread on Mizrahi, right?

Possible interview victims. . .er. . ."subjects":<P>Mark Stanley (Lighting Designer, NYCB)<P>Christina Gianelli (Lighting Coordinator, Houston Ballet)<P>Myra Rucker (Stage Manager, Houston Ballet)<BR>

Well, on the Production Manager front, I could try the PM from Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.<P><BR><I>and I'm not trying to ignore you folks, I just have completely spotty and unpredictable access to the internet this week - hopefully ending next week with the arrival of a new hard drive and modem</I>

How about Liz Prince, the costume designer? She did some totally bizarre costumes for a Trey McIntyre piece I saw, and also the hershey kiss costumes for the Seven Deadly Sins program at Jacob's Pillow. It might be interesting to hear what inspires her-- she seems pretty inventive.

Thank you, Katydid, for the suggestion and welcome.

Why not an interview with Mr. Salzberg himself?<P><I>A Day in the Life of a Photon Choreographer</I><P>

. . .Because most of it would be ****i** unprintable.

Salzberg, CriticalDance will print anything!