Off the Rails: spelling bee

Friday, August 20, 2010

Jack not name, jack job!

The back of the bleachers in Spelling Bee are held up by two wagon brakes (as they're called in theatre lingo). New - they look like this:

The heavy duty ones are rated for a load of 800lbs each. After 12 performances of Spelling Bee, one of the brakes on the back of the bleachers did this during the first act:

The pit crew - consisting of Stage Manager Adam Petherbridge and Assistant Stage Manager Simon Quayle tackled it during the intermission, unbolted the bent brake and replaced it before act two started.

Entertainment: go live, or go home!

About the Depot Theatre

The Depot Theatre's home is a restored 1876 Delaware and Hudson train station in the Adirondacks overlooking the town of Westport, NY on Lake Champlain. In the distance, you can see the Green Mountains of Vermont. The Depot Theatre was founded in 1979, and has been affiliated with Actors' Equity Association since 1988.

The Depot produces a summer season of five productions, including plays and musicals. Theatre education opportunities include a staged radio mystery with young actors, as well as a Shakespeare-in-the-Park program. In all, the Depot sees 6500-7500 visitors each season and stages 65-75 performances with two year-round staff members and 40-50 seasonal, professional theatre artists.

The Depot Theatre is a 501c3 nonprofit company and a member of Theatre Communications Group - the national association for nonprofit professional theatres. Visit our website to learn more about the Depot Theatre.