The first day of the Performing Arts Managers Conference is in the books. The PAMC Planning Committee and specifically, the Boot Camp Committee created the day's educational component: Roadie for a Day. Attendees were encouraged to wear their favorite concert t-shirt and I saw a few: Fosse, Heart and mine, the Divine Miss M (Bette Midler). We spent our afternoon learning to assemble and hang trusses along with new lighting and rigging control systems. Team YYZ had the opportunity to hang a show in the Wyly Theatre. If you are interested in photos, there are a few posted to the #iavmwhq Twitter site. This was a competition between 3 teams and we will see who won on Day Two.
What was my one take-away from the day? Everyone who works on rigging and lighting should pee in a cup before hanging and running shows in our venues. The guys and gals who do this for a living are integral to the success of any show who is touring or being built for just your facility. I look forward to going back to our venues and watching the next show load in.
Thanks to the AT&T Performing Arts Center staff for providing complimentary tickets to The Chieftans who were playing at the Winspear Opera House. Even though, I thought The Chieftans were a celtic group of women, the show was a wonderful way to spend an evening in Dallas.