mikhail.fiksel

This past weekend had a bit of a pattern to its madness. A challenge of creating impressive if not epic sound in a non-theatrical, outdoor setting, without access to any legitimate power source.

both days took on the challenge rather differently


First - Redmoon's latest guerilla effort involved arriving in a middle of a baseball diamond in the middle of city park with a propane powered car and executing a 30 minute performance replete with a dj, an MC, an opera aria and a fire organ finale.

Final numbers:

2 wireless microphones +
2 mixers +
1 dj mixer +
3 car amplifiers +
4 full range speakers +
2 laptop +
1 iPad +
1 celluloid control unit

all powered by 4-6 DC batteries delivering upwards of around 2,000 Watts of sound.

1st test proved to be an illuminating albeit tumultuous affair. 8 + hours of set up, 2+ hours of strike, and an unfavorable Signal-to-Noise ratio, but minds were blown and it was definitely unlike anything most people (myself included) have experienced. More outdoor tests in the near future.



Next Day - Lakeside Shakespeare lands in a small meadow in the woods of Northern Michigan to present 2 productions in rep. Macbeth is one of them. Between the witches and the battles there emerged a few needs for some serious sonic solutions.

Final numbers:

2 kick drums
1 gong
1 soprano vibraphone
1 toy piano
1 autoharp mounted to a wooden box for better resonation
5 shakers


all powered by 1/2 of the design team and 1 talented college intern

For Midsummer Night Dream, we add half the cast eager to play their guitars, flutes, harmonicas and accordion (by yours truly).

The shows officially opens on Thursday, July 28th and Friday, july 29th. 1 hour of prep. 30 min strike, and some definitely funny sun burn patterns. Plenty of post show dips in Lake Michigan in the near future.


And so the question remains

a few worthwhile and/or entertaining mentions:

Stephen Cone and The Wise Kids (an independent feature I had the luck to be involved with) take 2 Grand Jury Prizes (Best Screenplay and Best US Dramatic Feature) at Outfest in Los Angeles. I couldn't be more proud and excited for Stephen.

if you missed Collaboraction's "1001" last year, you have another chance. The relentless Seth Bockley takes a break from his new musical for the Public to come back and remount this smart production of a delightful play by Jason Grote. The production will do a 5 day run at Theatre on The Lake (starting 07.20) and then move to Collaboraction's new space at the Flat Iron Building, to do a full run (07.28 - 08.28).

The Ordeal is still moving forward with shooting a video. Eventually i will stop by laughing at the idea. Cause we will be having our 3rd creative meeting, so that seems to imply that someone is taking this seriously.

I got my first blister from DJ-ing. stay tuned for more updates on Redmoon Summer Guerilla....

every once in a while i flirt with the idea that I lead a life that is interesting and organized enough to warrant a blog.... and so, as I sit in tech at Theatre on The Lake, remounting Collaboraction's 1001, it happens again. we'll see it how long it will last