Behind every successful
show, whether it be a circus or a Las Vegas spectacular, is a crew of talented
individuals who make everything happen. The Hanneford Family Circus, at
the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, is a compact show with many of the performers
doubling as stage hands when needed, or assisting other acts with their
props and so on. Even so, however, there are always two or three other
uncredited people on hand whose job it is to do the other tasks that need
to be done.
 A
show needs music and lights and the Swap Shop has provided an extensive
system that is continuously being updated and upgraded. I, your humble
web master, Pete, have the pleasure of operating all the "toys" and creating
any special music for the show via my trusty Korg M1 and computer, but
I still get help with the serious technical stuff from the professional
maintenance staff at the Swap Shop, headed up by Jerry Gullivate, and other
outside technicians, particularly T.M. Sound and Lighting who keep our
equipment running. Their lighting tech, Craig (that's him on the right
during a  programing
session) has spent many hours sitting at the computer creating our spectacular
water and light show that opens the performance as well as most of the
lighting for the show itself. Contrary to popular belief a computer does
not program itself. Just because a light show is computer controlled doesn't
mean that the operator just waves his hands over the ubiquitous machine
chanting, "Let there be light", and a light show magically happens. It
requires many hours and a great deal of skill and talent to get all those
lights to dance. Our kudos and thanks to Craig.
 If
you click on the picture thumbnail on the left you can get a more detailed
account of our system - it's growing by the month.
Another person I should mention here is our
extremely capable and multi- talented stage man, Billy. He not only acts
as main stage hand, cleans up, and takes care of the animals, he is also
an acrobat and one time clown. Billy has worked in several circuses (including
the Clyde Beatty Circus and the Big Apple Circus) and is currently learning
the clowning routines for the Hanneford Riding Act - soon to be added to
our show.
As time goes on I
shall be adding more to this section so please check back here for updated
pictures and information on new equipment. |
