Dirty and Dusty

Now that the show is up and running my imperative at the theatre is to pack and clean. Due to the failed fire inspection back in November the principle of the school we inhabit has been fighting to remove our offices and shop from the space. He got his wish. So for my last three weeks I see a lot of cleaning, sorting, organizing and packing.

It is dusty, dirty work.

This week I have the help of the technical director. Like me, he is leaving the theatre at the end of his contract. And with no shows to build he has little to do. That seems the fate of every td at season's end...everyone else's helper.

The two of us spent today pulling yards of fabric off of the shelves in costume storage. The fabric was moved to a well lit area by the laundry basket, sorted and folded. Small pieces (or the insanely oddball pieces) are thrown out. It breaks my heart to throw out that much material, but after the first two hours you get over that very quickly. The desirable pieces were folded, boxed and labeled. They now sit 16 neat LARGE boxes, awaiting their new home. The 9 garbage bags full of less desirable fabric also awaits a new home...however there are only so many trips to the dumpster I am willing to take considering the costume shop is on the third floor.

More dusty, dirty work awaits. And paperwork. I refuse to leave the shop in a state of chaos. Of course, at this point I'm not even leaving a shop. No one knows where the new set up will be. I do not envy the task of my replacement...