FRONT OF HOUSE
THE GREAT RESET | Kent Morris
Have you ever walked into a friend ’ s house and noticed it was time for a décor change ? If the friendship is strong enough , you can mention it to them constructively without fear of offense because it is easier for an outsider to see what needs to be changed . When they take your advice and update the furnishings , the payoff is handsome , for it moves the house forward as an experience . The same holds true for our tech booth and stage areas . So often we simply walk in and “ muscle memory ” our way through a Sunday without considering the ergonomics and flow of the environment . The start of a new year offers the opportunity to refresh and renew and to do so without risking upheaval if the right steps are taken .
The first step is to bring in someone familiar with tech needs , but without regular work in that space . This could be a friend across town , an outside tech visiting family for the holidays or simply someone with an eye for form and function . Once the right person is selected , the next phase is to have them write out a proposal the team can approve . Explain to the team ,
change is essential to success and things will be a bit different initially , but hopefully better after two weeks of adjustment . Give the “ antichange ” member of the team an opportunity to void one item on the list , thus , granting them some sense of control while pulling them closer to the group ’ s center of thought .
Next , implement the changes according to the plan with flexibility in mind for the one or two items that fail to achieve the intended goal . For instance , if the plan is to move the lighting console to the left near the booth entrance for better visibility of the platform , but sound complaints are registered there , it is counterproductive to have the lighting tech be forced to listen to sound complaints and then explain it is not their role . It may be best to move the lighting console to the opposite end of the booth where the view is not as pristine , but the complaints are non-existent .
In addition to the tech booth , the backstage area will need addressing . Commonly , this area is in general disarray but descends unto chaos during Christmas production season . January is a prime-time moment to clean up storage spaces and mic closets and finally find a decent way to store those pesky mic stands . To keep things tidy , enforce a coffee fund filled by the tech who failed to tidy up the storage closet after the last service .
Finally , admit there will be food and drinks in the booth . It is a fool ’ s errand to try and police sustenance each Sunday . Donuts , coffee , and Egg McMuffins will appear ; find a place for them that doesn ’ t involve the surface of the console . Build a sliding shelf , place a small table on the rear wall or get creative with hidden cupholders , but find a way to control the inevitable .
As an aside , purchase a battery powered rechargeable vacuum and mount it to the wall alongside a generously sized trash can with a lid and enjoy what is to come in 2023 .
Kent Morris Kent is a 42-year veteran of the AVL arena driven by passion for excellence tempered by the knowledge digital is a temporary state .