Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Assistant Technical Director
Directed By: Christine O'Grady
Production Stage Manager: Sam Forrest
Scenic Designer: André Brandão de Castro
Lighting Designer: Mason LoPiccolo
Costume Designer: Michael Ciaramirato
Sound Designer: Breanna Fais
Projection Designer: Andrew Haag
Technical Director: Chris Russo
Technical PDF
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 was the biggest and most recent show I have had the pleasure to work on. As an Assistant Technical Director, I budgeted and drafted a third of the overall scenery. This included 12 platforms, 5 sets of stairs, and 2 wall units. Notably, these scenic elements heavily integrated both light and sound equipment, as well as housed audience members seated onstage.
For this show, collaboration was the name of the game. Because the enclosed halo houses multiple instruments, microphones, audience speakers, practical lights, and other lighting fixtures, I collaborated closely with the lighting, sound, and music departments to design and draft the scenery to accommodate every potential need. This meant concealing ~3000 feet of cabling, designing custom speaker housings, wiring and installing custom lights, and much more, providing a flawless technical run of the show.
Additionally, I took a more significant part in leading load-in, working closely with the carpenters and designers to assemble and alter the scenic elements and install lights, speakers, cabling, and more. Also, I was in charge of welding a custom frame, hanging disco balls and chandeliers, and working closely with the scenic designer to achieve that artistic vision.