Technical Rehearsals

So the first few days of rehearsals were 'technical rehearsals' where we have to set all the lighting cues, and practice with set pieces and props. It's a long process where you do small portions of each number, and pretty much every time you move places you have to stop and allow the technical team to get everything set. Then you get to run the number from top to bottom to be sure that everything worked. It was really exciting, though, to finally be on stage and have a real understanding of what performing will be like. It's very different to be on the real stage, especially when there isn't an audience and you are smiling into a dark abyss. The Opryhouse is beautiful and I am very excited to be performing there. It's a pretty cool set up inside because the theatre is very steep, rather than deep, which means that most of the seats are a pretty great view of the stage. Also, all the seats are old church pews (they have now cushioned them for comfort). Once we got all the lighting set, we got to add costumes. Then it gets really interesting. Wooden Soldier pants are starched beyond belief, every number includes a hat that is uncomfortable to wear and difficult to keep on, but it all comes together for a pretty great effect, I think. I was very excited when we left one night and all the animals for the live nativity had arrived and they were taking the camels for their first walk through on the stage. We hadn't had the opportunity to rehearse with them quite yet. I can't remember all their names at the moment, but I know that 'Wendy' stands right behind me on stage. Not sure which one I snapped in this picture on my way out of the theatre. Yes, they do occasionally relieve themselves on stage. Hey, these are the things that make a live performance more interesting. No editing here, people. You never know what's going to happen!