Wild Rose Moon: Production House and Training Facility coming into focus
PLYMOUTH — Recent upgrades to the Wild Rose Moon (WRM) Performing arts Center are bringing the Production House element into focus for providing a venue for intimate performances with a global reach; all while creating a Performing arts Production Industry in the heart of historic downtown Plymouth. Each performance provides an opportunity for real time training for producers, videographers, light and sound technicians.
Executive Director George Schricker is excited to announce that the Irish sensation Jig Jam will be returning Sunday, March 6. In addition to the live performance and the Radio Show, Jig Jam will be the first ticketed online performance facilitated by Mandolin Live Stream. “Jig Jam offers us this great opportunity to export a fine product featuring an international band from downtown Plymouth.”
With the recent addition of wall-mounted automated cameras, the in-house audience will enjoy an uninterrupted performance;
a third will be installed before the concert. Schricker has applied for grant funding to enhance lighting. The goal is a fully functioning sound stage.
Optical Cables for the Switcher optimize multi-camera recording and streaming. a new switch is being installed which will accommodate up to eight cameras. “This is a great opportunity to attract producer and production talent. People will know that they have this sound stage to work with. This is a pretty exciting place to do an intimate performance and capture that with four cameras now and eventually eight. We are excited.”
Streamed or televised events require technicians controlling two sound boards, one for the in-house audience and one for the sound transmitted over the air. a third technician is responsible for operating the camera switch controls.
a director leads the orchestra of sound, light, stage, video and camera technicians. Schricker is thrilled about the opportunity to teach such intricate multi-dimensional skills to future producers and artists. “It is art and a job.”
The kitchen will be finished by the end of 2022; including cabinet installation to accommodate hospitality.
Instrument cabinets are being renovated to store instruments as large as a bass fiddle. A “nook area” will allow for performers to exit off stage and check emails if needed. Interns can use the space to eat lunch and take breaks.
The long term goal for WRM is to duplicate another fully functioning sound stage in the lower level of the building. Production personnel and writers will be needed to form a full team of creative people.
Short term investment is necessary for long-term results. Noting the slow growth but ultimate success of the BBC, Schricker said, “To me, you have to trust in the ability of this industry to grow, begin to prosper and generate the kind of dollars we want it to generate. It just takes time. But if you don’t take time to invest in the creative talent all around you, it will go somewhere else.”
WRM will ultimately house to production studios, an interview set, and a small performance hall. Schricker envisions a collaborative artistic campus in downtown including a creative partnership with The Rees and the Heartland Artists Gallery. “We have to invest in creative talent that is around us in order to keep it here and to have an industry that feeds it. I think that’s absolutely critical.”
“If you want to resurrect downtown Plymouth… if you want to truly infuse downtown Plymouth with energy…and that means commercial energy and investment…if we are truly going to do that then committing to performance and production is the way to do it.” He sees the non-profit and notfor-profit industries fueling the flames required to promote the for-profit industry, “They are intimately connected to each other.”
“The not for profit industry will help train people and give them experience. They will then go out as independent contractors with the skills and produce.”
Schricker said that providing creatives with these opportunities produces a convivial atmosphere for people to live, work, and play.
Regional Stellar Grant funding in the amount of $41,000 provided the opportunity for WRM increase connectivity within Marshall County. Mentors will train interns using WRM equipment in the field to provide real experience in interview techniques, photography, streaming, video recording and editing features on performing or visual artists within the community “That’s the virtue of having a strong production house, it doesn’t have to focus only on performers.”
According to arts.gov, the Performing Arts Industry in the United States is supported by over 8,000 organizations with over 100,000 paid workers that generate approximately $13.6 B in estimated annual revenues.
Schricker said, “The thing I love about the arts is that they think outside the box. I said from the beginning that we are going to be thinking locally, nationally, and internationally. We are going to try to appeal to audiences everywhere, not just here. I think that’s been a good strategy to want to connect to the world of music.”
Tickets are on sale now for Jig Jam. They will be featured in a Radio Show, a live-streamed concert, and a live concert. Visit www.wildrosemoon.com to get tickets today.
Thanks to Kurt Garner, the public is invited for free to a Sampson Levingston Talk at the WRM on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
Become a Friend of the Moon at www.wildrosemoon.com.