by Debbie Keyt
Production Week! The single most frantically busy, manic and hectic yet thrilling, exciting, exhilarating and rewarding week in the life of a production.
For Buddy, in particular, our to-do list is long and it doesn't matter how organised you are, there are always a thousand jobs you simply can't do until the last minute. The final touches are being put on stunning costumes; our 'festoon-ettes' are sewing crazily to complete our curtains; our Buddy Band are practicing and ready to attend rehearsals; the set is nearly complete, with curtains and signs to be hung and the final set pieces finished off; the last of the props are being sourced, painted and made; the cast are working very hard both at rehearsals and home as they make sure they are word perfect and they know their moves and lyrics and also busy shopping for make-up and looking at 50's hair tutorials online; our tech teams are laboring intensively to rig lights and bump in audio equipment; our program is being proof-read to send to the printer ; headshots are being developed ready to display; the front of house roster is complete; we're awaiting a delivery of tables and new tablecloths will be ironed and centerpieces are being created, plus numerous other tasks that will present themselves as the week unfolds.
During Production Week we'll rehearse every night, with one night of rest for the cast while the tech crew madly adjust and alter lights and sound to achieve the desired result. We will all eat, breathe and sleep Buddy-biz (although not much sleep happens during Prod Week!).
So that gives you all a little sneak peek behind the scenes and then once we complete all our jobs and our rehearsal phase comes to an end we will be performance ready for our appreciative, capacity audience to take Buddy to the next level. The audience is an integral part of any show, but in Buddy the audience is in for an infectiously exuberant treat full of energy and joy and we can't wait for you to join us during our SOLD OUT season - let's ROCK & ROLL!