Alley Theatre produces 11 shows every season, each running from three to eight weeks at a time. This means there is constantly work to be done in the theatres. As soon as one play closes, it has to be taken down to make room for the next to begin moving in. While the process of building sets, props, and costumes is all done in the shops above the theatre, it’s very important that they’re put together correctly in the space, and light and sound equipment is moved according to a show’s unique design. This means all of the Alley’s departments are constantly working together, tearing one show down while building the next.
This tearing-down process is called “Strike”. The Alley is currently striking Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d and Primary Trust, getting ready to put up The Da Vinci Code and The Body Snatcher. We spoke with Director of Productions Aaron Wilson about the strike process.
“Striking at the Alley involves all areas of the Production department. Think of the process as well-planned, organized chaos. The strike starts immediately after the final performance.
“Stage Operations ‘peels back’ and resets the backstage areas. The Wardrobe team starts to clean and adds the costumes back to stock.
“The next day the scenery is taken apart and either thrown away or recycled (mostly the steel). The lights are taken down and returned to storage. Same for all the furniture and hand props, and the specialized speakers/microphones.
“The goal is to restore the theatre to a blank slate, so the next show can start to be installed the following day. There are typically two weeks between a show closing and tech rehearsal starting for the next show.”
Here is a look at strike in progress at the Hubbard and Neuhaus Theatres.
Don’t miss the upcoming show in Hubbard Theatre, The Da Vinci Code, September 19 – October 19, and in Neuhaus Theatre, The Body Snatcher, October 3 – October 26.
