Pack pack pack
The news is now official, though most at the theatre seem to be making light of it...we no longer have the middle school at our disposal for admin offices and the costume shop. They want us out by June.
Well, I'm out by May. So in the meantime that means I pack like a madwoman, attempting to make the transition as easy as I can for those left behind to do the grunt work.
The shop is small, compared to others. The costume stock is minuscule compared to what other theatre hoard. Yet for such a small staff of people, this will be a mighty, might move.
The last three days the TD and I have been sorting, folding, boxing and labeling the stock. A lot of dust gets kicked up in the process. A lot of trash is generated. And a lot of boxes used. We're currently out of boxes. And after hunting online and cold calling several retailers we've come to the conclusion that cardboard boxes, for an essentially disposable item, really aren't that cheap.
It's sad to see the shop slowly fritter away into a sea of uniform brown boxes. It's a very definite end. I'm not leaving behind a neat and orderly new shop for the new costumer. I leaving behind no shop...and a lot of boxes.
Some at the theatre are under the delusion that they can fit a functioning costume shop in the dressing room area under a staircase...a dimly lit corner approximately 10' x 15' if that. A low make counter only 12" deep to set up the machine on. A 4' pole that often falls under its own weight to store work in progress on. A tiny table to layout fabric and patterns...
Perhaps as a temporary solution this will work. But it's not a shop. It's a work station. The benefit of being in the midst of the production is just as much a curse. Yes, it makes it easier for those staff whose offices occupy the same area to pop in and ask a question, but the foot traffic is limiting...not to mention the lack of space. My opinion in the matter has been sought several times. But the conversation always progresses the same. On three separate occasions I've spoken to one individual about the possibility of the space. And all three occasions I've left feeling as though my concerns went unheard, that minds were already made up to convert the space...and what was really sought was a blessing or endorsement instead of a list of concerns and limitations.
Down size down size, every where. Yet this cut back has nothing to do with the economy. I can't help but speculate that the desire to condense my position into a cubby hole is an attempt to assert more power over the costumer's position.
But other solutions are being sought by those even higher up the chain of command. I wish them the best.
And I'm glad to be leaving the theatre as soon as I am.
Well, I'm out by May. So in the meantime that means I pack like a madwoman, attempting to make the transition as easy as I can for those left behind to do the grunt work.
The shop is small, compared to others. The costume stock is minuscule compared to what other theatre hoard. Yet for such a small staff of people, this will be a mighty, might move.
The last three days the TD and I have been sorting, folding, boxing and labeling the stock. A lot of dust gets kicked up in the process. A lot of trash is generated. And a lot of boxes used. We're currently out of boxes. And after hunting online and cold calling several retailers we've come to the conclusion that cardboard boxes, for an essentially disposable item, really aren't that cheap.
It's sad to see the shop slowly fritter away into a sea of uniform brown boxes. It's a very definite end. I'm not leaving behind a neat and orderly new shop for the new costumer. I leaving behind no shop...and a lot of boxes.
Some at the theatre are under the delusion that they can fit a functioning costume shop in the dressing room area under a staircase...a dimly lit corner approximately 10' x 15' if that. A low make counter only 12" deep to set up the machine on. A 4' pole that often falls under its own weight to store work in progress on. A tiny table to layout fabric and patterns...
Perhaps as a temporary solution this will work. But it's not a shop. It's a work station. The benefit of being in the midst of the production is just as much a curse. Yes, it makes it easier for those staff whose offices occupy the same area to pop in and ask a question, but the foot traffic is limiting...not to mention the lack of space. My opinion in the matter has been sought several times. But the conversation always progresses the same. On three separate occasions I've spoken to one individual about the possibility of the space. And all three occasions I've left feeling as though my concerns went unheard, that minds were already made up to convert the space...and what was really sought was a blessing or endorsement instead of a list of concerns and limitations.
Down size down size, every where. Yet this cut back has nothing to do with the economy. I can't help but speculate that the desire to condense my position into a cubby hole is an attempt to assert more power over the costumer's position.
But other solutions are being sought by those even higher up the chain of command. I wish them the best.
And I'm glad to be leaving the theatre as soon as I am.
posted by Unknown at
11:12 PM
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