Hi folks,
I had planned on writing after I met with my committee, but that didn't happen, then I planned on writing after my meeting with the TD at the Chapman center last friday but that didn't happen either, then I planned on writing sunday evening, but since it's now thursday, I'm sure you've figured out where I'm going, lol.
So, first thing's first, the committee meeting. I have to say, I think that was by-far the best one we've ever had, at least for me anyway. We covered a lot in an hour and a half! Something I find funny about our meeting, someone asked me why I found these meetings so important. Frankly, I found it hard to explain. My first reaction was duh. But that not being very articulate, I tried to explain. The opportunity to talk things out is very important to me, especially when talking about things that are hard to wrap my brain around.
With this last meeting, I particularly enjoyed the group discussion aspect of things. It seemed like everyone was there bouncing ideas around and helping me to see what we came to figure out. I don't think I'm explaining this very well.
Anyway. My committee met by themselves after I left. part of me is burning to know what they came up with, but patience is important.
So last Friday, I finally was able to meet with Stephen Smith, the TD at Chapman Center. It turns out that there are two TD's at Chapman. Stephen and someone else I can remember, darn. Anyway, Stephen is responsible for the facility more so than the other TD. The other guy is responsible for the Little Theater as well as the Youth Theater. It seems to me, with my limited understanding, that Stephen sets up for groups that rent the theater space, and the other td does more productions.
I've actually already got a date to do some work with Stephen, it's going to be either next monday or the 31st, the Spartan high chamber orchestra is going to play, and I'm going to come in at 4, we're going to set the stage, chairs music stands, etc. There's going to be one mic, presumably for the conductor to address the audience, and I'm going to run that mic during their concert. It starts at 7 so he seems to think we'll be done at 8. I'm not sure if that means that I don't help clear the stage or not.
But meeting him and getting to talk to him was a lot of fun. We talked about what experiences I've had, some of the difficulties I have, mostly transitions from light to dark, and lack of familiarity with the space. He took me on a tour. This did not include the entire space, no catwalks or grid or anything, but I figure I can always ask.
We also talked about how if I wanted to get my hands on some scenery and work for the other td too he thought it should be fine and maybe even doing some set up work for the spartanburg ballet too. Chapman center is pretty cool, in one space there's the little theater and youth theater, a history museum, the spartanburg symphony, the ballet, and some other art stuff. People are always taking classes, there black box space is typically used as classroom space.
So it seems to me that if I hang around there, I could potentially wind up doing a lot of general technician work. Frankly, I'm ok with that. I enjoy working, getting dirty, things being different every day. I figure, something liike this is ok for a while. We'll see what happens.
This past sunday, I got a chance to read the prayers of the people during the 11:15 service. I was nervous beforehand. I got the script friday afternoon and played around with fonts until I found a comfortable one for me. It is a bit sad to realize that now stuff has to be 32pt for me to be comfortable reading, but hey that's good to know I guess.
When I got to church, Rob took me into the Nave and we practiced. He did a great job of making me feel a little more comfortable. It was weird having someone respond to me though. I was nervous but when the time came, it went really well. I found that after the Nicene Creed was finished, in my process of kneeling, I said what I was supposed to in order to get their attention so they knew what page to go to in the bcp. I found that by listening to how I sounded in the space helped me to find a comfortable volume for reading. The prayer was Long. Interestingly, there was a part about asking for the absolution of our sins and offenses and Rob said that because that part was there, we didn't have to say another prayer later. Not sure if I explained that right... oh well.
After the service, I got Lots of complements, lots of hugs, lots of the such an inspiration's. One encounter was funny, someone came up to me and told me that people were asking who it was that read and when told it was me, they asked how I did it. This person's reply was great, "I don't know, she's smart, I'm sure she figured somethign out'. That made my day.
Evidently, my volume was great and everyone could hear, and my voice carries well, who knew.
Overall, it was a great experience, and I feel much prepared to do something a little harder. Rob said that the next step is for me to read the scripture and the psalms. That's a difference between our saviour and st matthews. At our saviour, usually two different people read, but not at st matthews. And when it comes to the psalms, the lector tells the congregation what to do.
There has also been discussion both in my bible study classs where we have communion and between me and Rob that the next step after that should be Chalice bearer. I've done it in class and he explained a little bit about how the training works, so I'm up for it.
So, as you can see, there's a lot of things in the wind, it's just a matter of what happens next.
Hugs to you all!
Nancy
PS: the picture is the theater at the Chapman Cultural Center. I read that it seats 500. The tech booth has a ginormus window and you can see everything on stage, at least as far as I could tell.
