Other Technologies

So, I was discussing this class with my musical director for the play, and he gave me a great idea for a blog post: the technology that goes into performing theatre.  We use technology that people don't even think about.  In this particular musical we have a revolving turn table in the middle of the stage.  There is a HUGE motor that controls the whole thing, and all together it weights about 6500 lbs!  Another more obvious aspect of theatre is the lighting.  I went up to the catwalk yesterday to check out the lights and realized how extremely complicated it can be.  We have hundred of lights that are controlled by a large light board.  And sound!  Not only do we have live music in the pit, but there are also sound effects that need to be recorded and put into a particular order in the sound booth so they play at the right time.  I never realized how much technology is used in a show until I actually checked it out for myself!  Props to the guys that run this stuff, they are brilliant!