FriendsOfTheHideout

Here are some ideas I have about keeping The Hideout theater space in good shape, making it a fun, safe, and easy space to play, and ways to make Heroes shows easier, faster, and calmer to set up:

Theater Appreciation Day

My brother is a chef and every few months his restaurant staff throws Kitchen Appreciation Day. This involves cranking the stereo, icing down a keg, and cleaning everything in sight. Everything. They move every piece of equipment that isn't bolted down and clean under and behind it, fix everything that's obviously or almost broken, and store or throw away everything that doesn't have an obvious home. Their kitchen is where they work so they take the time to keep it organized and in good repair. As a result, the staff has a lot less stress because everyone knows where everything should be, the place isn't dirty or clogged with junk and trash, and everything just works. It doesn't require a lot of cash or skill, just time and effort every few months or so. There's no reason we can't treat the theater the same way.

General items

• Move everything out from where it is and clean under and behind it
• Tighten and fix every little thing
• Sort everything and throw out junk
• Define where everything lives and mark it off
• Paint everything black

Specifics - Micetro

• (Big picture) Replace Micetro board. The current one has busted corners and the upper logo is worn. It's heavy and hard to hang. And we only use one side of it (make Theatresports or Gorilla Board on other side - then only one board to keep track of!)

• Fix the current Micetro board

  • Define Micetro board & tag format & specifics

    • Nametags are 2"x8" black foamcore with 4" of flexible magnet on the back
    • The typeface is Copperplate Gothic Bold, white on black, with about 1/4" margin above and below the name.
  • Make Micetro tags for everyone (40 active players) + 30 spares (2 big graduating classes plus wear and tear replacements.) Note: You can get 15 * 2 + 2 * 3 = 36 tags out of a 20"x30" sheet of foamcore with 4"x6" of waste (use for bananas, below.)
  • move Micetro nametag master file out of Quark into something portable & web-friendly
  • Get markers that stick better (more magnets)
• Make more numbertag spares (where did Ed W. get these pieces?)
• Build 'Loser Bucket' so players can pitch their numbers and nametags in there before the end of the show
• Define where Micetro box lives and what it contains

Specifics - Gorilla

• Make permanent bananas (foamcore, magnets, bananas)
• Clean up Gorilla Board (make compatible with Micetro tags)
• Define where Gorilla box lives and what it contains
• Laminate forfeits
• Retape inside of gorilla mask
• Sanitize the hell out of the suit (Febreeze!)

Theater Space

• Patch holes over main stage where LED sign was

• Fix stage

  • Tape gaps (main stage)
  • Cover hole near south wall (main stage)
  • Eliminate creaks & springy boards
  • Patch wallboard (heh)

• Terrain

  • Build blocks (and eventually bed and couch)
  • Shore up door, window (hinges & struts)
  • Build more benches (Simpson Strong Ties!)

• Add storage

  • hang pegboard (um, someplace)
  • named bins for gels, lights, cables
  • ladder parking spaces/tie-downs (need masonry bit, two eyes, chain & carabiners)
  • add shelves to the green room (heavy-duty twin-hook rail)
  • optimize underseat areas

• Improve inter-theater communications (main)

  • intercom from green room to lighting booth, and maybe ticket booth.

• Lighting

  • Make blank grid plans for cabaret, main stage
  • Design lighting plan for both theaters for all standard Heroes shows (add plan to venue rental contract and require that lights be returned to standard Micetro lighting plan)
  • BATS starlight (Bob's pet project!)

Lighting booths

• clean and organize
• strip outdated labels off the boards
• get a couple cheap red LED digital clocks for the booths and bolt the f***ers down
• Q: can we save and reload light board programs (main stage); meaning, if we can get the lights hung according to a standard lighting plan (above), is it easy to reload the board's program?

Ticket booth

• clean and organize
• stock with tickets, flyers, Heroes show promo signs
• install a lockbox (combination lock) for holding house music, etc.
• Q: can we easily program and update the LED signs over the booth - can this be delegated?

Making Life Easy For The House Manager

• Put everything back where it belongs, even if you didn't find it there.
• Throw away trash, even if it's not yours.
• Fight entropy, chaos, and False Laziness wherever you find it.
• Don't assume; confirm.
• Deal with problems at the lowest level possible.
• Delegate and confirm.