I've just checked back in on this expecting half a dozen views and no replies (turns out emails went to spam)...but wow! Thank you all so much. I'm guessing from the one response on it and the lack of reference to it otherwise that the remote version isn't an option. I agree with many of the sentiments here about the use of follow spots in general and I haven't used one in a show for about ten years, but the parents like to see them and it does have the advantage of soaking up a couple of kids from a very large year group. I've got two who I think will do a good job. I like the idea of building "platforms" with "steps" rather than a "tower". I've got a bit of tiered seating to get above and the stage itself is higher than it ought, but a 2m platform should do it. As a teacher, I also have to support the "getting the kids involved" thing. I was a pro sound engineer for a short while back in the mid 90s before moving into schools and I think that if I'd had more support as a teenager I could have made a much better stick of that career. In that spirit, I'm going to have to rise to the "it's only a school show" fly and say (a) not all school shows are created equal, (b) shouldn't every show get your best work?, © we may do two or three school shows a year, but for the leads that's probably their one shot and something they'll look back on for years, and (d) you have to remember you're sowing seeds for the future of some of your performers - one boy we introduced to acting through a school show is now on a full scholarship to the AADA in LA, so you never know where things might lead. Sorry if that sounds preachy, but I guess I have to believe in what we do, in order to do it... Thank you all again so much for taking the time to reply. I've read them all and will use the knowledge contained wisely. David.
