Honestly, I had a few reservations coming into this performance. Just days before our arrival, we were told the executive director of the venue was no longer there and his replacement had not yet been hired. As Keith started to advance the technical aspects of the show, he wasn’t connecting with anyone knowledgeable about the venue. Things just seemed to get scary. But then, Dan and Keith talked and things started making sense!
We arrived to find a young but enthusiastic crew waiting for us. The Ocotillo Performing Arts Center is situated on the campus of the local high school. It is the community auditorium and has recently enjoyed a multi-million dollar renovation. We were told that our production was the most “technically advanced” show they have ever done in this space. Translated – we are the hardest, most complicated show they’ve set up! But these students had been taught well and had been preparing for our arrival well in advance of our truck pulling into their dock.
Load in went smoothly and we had plenty of space for all the cases and equipment. We all worked at a steady pace, everyone doing the jobs, and before we knew it, it was time for tech. We hit a few snags throughout the day but nothing that wasn’t solved easily.
This is a small town of about 12,000 people and tonight, we had the largest crowd they’ve ever had for one of their events. I’m sure much of that had to do with the great article in the local paper, ARTESIA DAILY PRESS.
Overall – great volunteers, incredible responses, and a standing ovation. It was a pleasure to perform here and meet so many people after the show!
We did the Tank tonight. We haven’t done it at all this year and it was Nolan’s first time on stage with it. This is an underwater escape where my hands are chained, my feet are padlocked to the bottom, and then my neck is chained to the bottom. As I lowered my head underwater, Nolan wrapped the chains and locked them in place. Then – I totally lost my breath! And I was already locked in place! There was no way I had enough air to complete the entire escape so they had to quickly – very quickly – get me out of the neck chains so I could get some air. I’m sure it sent a chill through the audience because it certainly did through me and Cindy (and all of our crew). Second time was a charm – and the escape was successful. But, wow, what a way to close the show!
I’ve got to get to bed…it’s already late. We have to be up very early in the morning, on the road by 7:30am, to get to our next gig in Alamogordo. We found out tonight, that IF we were going to drive Highway 82 (and we’re not), there is a 7 mile, 15% grade on the west side of Cloudcroft mountain. No way I’m going to drive that! So, we’ll be taking the long route.
Good night!