While playing drums for the off-Broadway show Altar Boyz many years ago, I had a few memorable moments where a drumstick slipped from my hands. However, it wasn't just a simple drop; a stick managed to roll onto the stage right in the middle of the cast's dance routine!
In another instance, during a performance of Memphis The Musical, I found myself on a band cart alongside the music director and the character Felicia. The cart was designed to roll from upstage through two panels that opened up for us to move downstage. However, as the song "Nothin' But A Kiss" began on one fateful occasion, the panels failed to move out of our way. We crashed right through them, resembling characters in a comical cartoon. Understandably, the show had to be paused to prevent the entire set from collapsing around us. It was definitely a bit frightening, but fortunately, we all made it through unscathed.
Have you ever encountered technical difficulties during a live performance that tested your ability to adapt on the spot? Whether it was equipment malfunctions, power outages, broken drumheads, or any other unexpected issues? How did you handle the situation in the heat of the moment? Did you have any contingency plans or backup equipment ready? How did you communicate with your fellow performers or technicians to address the problem?
What valuable lessons did you learn from those challenging moments and did they inspire any changes in your approach to preparation or performance?
How did you maintain your composure and keep the show going despite the setbacks?
Murphy's Law
Photo by Randy Laybourne on Unsplash
While playing drums for the off-Broadway show Altar Boyz many years ago, I had a few memorable moments where a drumstick slipped from my hands. However, it wasn't just a simple drop; a stick managed to roll onto the stage right in the middle of the cast's dance routine!
In another instance, during a performance of Memphis The Musical, I found myself on a band cart alongside the music director and the character Felicia. The cart was designed to roll from upstage through two panels that opened up for us to move downstage. However, as the song "Nothin' But A Kiss" began on one fateful occasion, the panels failed to move out of our way. We crashed right through them, resembling characters in a comical cartoon. Understandably, the show had to be paused to prevent the entire set from collapsing around us. It was definitely a bit frightening, but fortunately, we all made it through unscathed.
Have you ever encountered technical difficulties during a live performance that tested your ability to adapt on the spot? Whether it was equipment malfunctions, power outages, broken drumheads, or any other unexpected issues? How did you handle the situation in the heat of the moment? Did you have any contingency plans or backup equipment ready? How did you communicate with your fellow performers or technicians to address the problem?
What valuable lessons did you learn from those challenging moments and did they inspire any changes in your approach to preparation or performance?
How did you maintain your composure and keep the show going despite the setbacks?
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