So, it's been awhile. Well, don't blame me. Touch-N-Go has been INCREDIBLY busy and I've most definitely been caught up in all the excitement. See, TNG has this super cool thing they call Big Show. Basically, they bring a big name band to kinda wrap the semester up in a super cute fun little bow. They set up the stage, and the sound system, and there's like a billion lights that need to be cued up on the light board...yeah, it's a ton of fun. So Setup started at 08. It wasn't easy to get up at 7AM on a Saturday, but well worth it. I helped Lorraine in the morning, setting up the dressing rooms, then just kinda hung out with Jessica in the afternoon. Throughout the show, I ran around being a shutterbug for your reading pleasure.
So Big Show starts with an empty gym....
And, with some teamwork, drops a stage right in the middle
Add some trusses for lights
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| Kendall teaches Lorraine how it works during a break |
And set up what will be the sound and light 'booth' (raised platform)
And some more equipment from the trailer when the act gets there...Add some stage decoration and music pieces...
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| And some sound equipment... |
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| And of course you need a crew, some lights, and some cables... |
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| And the show never goes on until Brandon says so... |
Add some lights....
And an audience...
I took plenty of photos as everyone filed in...And I do mean EVERYONE. Kaitlyn got SO MANY people there! I've never seen so many people at a school event!!!!! The concert itself was pretty good, I actually camped out backstage for awhile, and it was so cool to sit there and see people loving something I was a part of, having fun because of even the small jobs I helped with.
AND WE'VE GOT A SHOW!
Before the show, I met the opener, and the guy
was really nice. Especially because I totally proved the awkward-theatre-kid
stereotype when I wouldn't actually SPEAK to him...Jessica did for me. But he
signed my sweatshirt.
During the show, Some of us wanted to eat....
And some of us had to work. 
But when the show ended, it was, once again, all hands on deck. Around 11, everyone rushed toward the stage. And my friend Jessica and I ran to the lobby to meet the act. I actually did meet the band outside, which was good cuz I was super disappointed I missed it before show. Jessica had to ask for me, I just got all shy. Which is funny for a stage kid, but this wasn't theatre-with people I've spent forever with. This was away from my natural habitat and I suddenly forgot how to actually speak.
Cleanup was LATE. I didn't get back to my room till one AM. But it was well worth it, I got to be helpful and put up the stage, which is my favorite thing. When midnight hit and we were still going strong, I jokingly asked Lorraine; "if all meals are provided, does that include midnight snack?" and THIS GIRL, without missing a beat, says; "I already ordered pizza." I was like DANG! I was joking and got an awesome surprise. Midnight Pizza.
And so we all had a quick snack, and got back to work.
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| The trussing came down... |
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| And the speakers came down... |
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| And the stage came down |
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| And away went the cables.. |
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| Everyone gathered 'round to break down the stage |
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we moved the stage pieces to the middle
of the gym
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| And we gathered round our Fearless Leader |
I liked what Dustin said
at the end about TNG being the best at what they do-watching it, watching
everyone work together, I know that's true.
In short, 10/10 would do again. I just wish it wasn't the last event. #TNGBigShow2016. American Authors was one heck of a show. And that's all, from this Martian's Eye View from TNG Productions for 2016. Join me back again Next Year!
xoxo -Martian