Workers prepare for homecoming spectacular

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    By Brian Rust

    Homecoming Spectacular not only features the talents of BYU performing groups on-stage but also employs the forces and ingenuity of more than 50 students and faculty off-stage.

    Homecoming Spectacular involves much more than just two night performances. It requires months of planning and preparation to ensure complete safety and a quality set.

    Homecoming Spectacular is the biggest production BYU does each year because it involves creating a space, filling the space and figuring out how to build the show; whereas, any other production uses a theater that already exists.

    For Technical Director Frank Weight, planning began two weeks ago for next year?s spectacular because it will involve a brand new set. This year?s set is the fourth year it has been used, so planning and construction went a lot faster than in past years, Weight said.

    He also stressed the importance of always having alternate plans available in case of an emergency: advance planning is the key to ensure safety.

    ?Before the day is over, I will get underneath [the stage] with a flashlight and inspect every single connection,? Weight said. ?After the first dress rehearsal I?ll do it again, and after the first performance I?ll do it again.?

    Student employees spend an entire week before the spectacular constructing a set. That involves unloading four large moving trucks full of equipment, building a stage and putting together towers that stand on the stage and weigh about 1000 pounds apiece.

    ?This is the one time when they get a chance to work on something as close to the real professional world like a touring road show would be, or a rock concert,? Weight said.

    Homecoming Spectacular combines lighting crews, events crews and scene shop employees, as well as collaborating performing groups from the School of Music, dance department and the music, dance, theater program, said Tracey Woolley, spectacular stage manager.

    Technical staff has a week to unload, build the set and ensure safety for those watching and performing, she said. She explained that getting ready for Devotional is challenging because it doesn?t allow for much time to practice by the time the set is built.

    ?Devotional comes right at us and then we have to do it the next day,? Woolley said. ?There is no real time to get it in your head. Once it starts, you just go.?

    Michael Handley, producer-designer of Homecoming Spectacular, said the production requires year-round planning and hard work to improve it.

    Each year, BYU honors an alumnus that contributed to the school and its mission. Much of the show design evolves throughout the year from inspiration influenced by the person being honored, Handley said.

    ?I?m never not working on spectacular,? he said. ?It?s highly enjoyable to do. It?s a very enjoyable show.?

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