Please purchase the printed book at the link above or the eBook at Amazon.com. Also, please leave a review at Amazon
Editorial Reviews
“Stagehand: A Backstage Pass to My Life Stories is filled with emotionally rich scenes and quirky moments and infused with humor that keeps readers looking forward to the next scene. The rawness in the author’s writing will captivate readers as they explore his inner world.” — James Farlow, The Book Commentary
“Lively memoir of a life setting the stage for great entertainers. A-” — booklife Reviews
“A meandering memoir that offers a fascinating perspective on eccentric Angelenos and their orbits around the stars.” — Kirkus Reviews
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Read more: Who I Am and What I Do.
In live entertainment there are traveling companies and venues. If you are a tech and you travel you’re, “with the company, touring” (roadie). If you’re with the venue you’re “local, with the house” (stagehand). Currently, in the latter part of…
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What the Hell Do Stagehands Do Anyhow?
Read more: What the Hell Do Stagehands Do Anyhow?Hauling a lot of stuff on to stage for a Broadway show It turns out that a lot of people ask this question when I tell them what I do for work. Actually, we call ourselves technical services, or tech…
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Readers’ Favorite 5 Star Review
Read more: Readers’ Favorite 5 Star ReviewFor immediate release: Author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Non-Fiction – Memoir book “Stagehand”by David H Aretsky, currently available athttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DRHSV3RH. Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest…
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Working Props
Read more: Working PropsMost of the time at work, I fill the role of A2 on the audio crew, or I am the projectionist/camera operator. When Broadway-type shows hit the stage, though, my role in the production is almost always that of a…
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booklife.com Reviews Stagehand
Read more: booklife.com Reviews StagehandAretsky reveals the often invisible people who prop up the people who prop up the famous—the technicians who skillfully bring the creative vision of artists to life. Aretsky has served as stagehand, lighting director, monitor engineer, and more for…
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John Waite and Tommy Tutone soundcheck
Read more: John Waite and Tommy Tutone soundcheckYesterday I had the pleasure to work with two great artist. I did not work the show but was an A2 on the soundcheck. Headlining the show was John Waite, who is best known for his 1984 hit single “Missing…
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Home for the Holidays
Read more: Home for the HolidaysHome for the Holidays has been an annual concert at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts for thirty years, although the show used to have another name. The show is presented and stared by the incredible vocalist, Peabo Bryson.…
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Cary Elwes (Wesley, The Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride)
Read more: Cary Elwes (Wesley, The Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride)Ricky, my coworker and I ran into Cary Elwes and Tony who was on tour with him. They were in the orchestra hallway checking out the donor plaques. We were on our way to a coffee break, since we had…
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En Vogue and Expose’
Read more: En Vogue and Expose’I’m not going to write much tonight. We worked with the groups En Vogue and Expose’ today. Both groups were easy to work with. The bands were all great players and nice people so our day went well, other than…
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Joss Stone and Nik West
Read more: Joss Stone and Nik WestTonight’s show is with Joss Stone, the opening band is a bass player Named Nik West and her band. Nik West turned out to be an unbelievable bass player and has a great band. Super funky with driving beats. The…
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Hairspray
Read more: HairsprayWe recently worked on the touring version of the musical Hairspray. My job on the show was working with the prop crew. The props lead for the company, Abbie Garrison (everyone just calls her by her last name) was friendly…
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Latin Rock 24
Read more: Latin Rock 24Saturday May, 4 We’re working tonight on what is billed as the Latin Rock & R&B Show. Three Latino rock bands on stage together. In the order they played, the bands are: Thee Midniters Cannibal and the Headhunters Malo Tonight’s…
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Avery Sunshine / Yamaha CKO
Read more: Avery Sunshine / Yamaha CKOWe’re working on a corporate meeting for Yamaha this week. We have done this show for quite a few years. We started on Monday by loading in some gear and hanging soft goods. I was working on the carps crew…
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Men Without Hats and A Flock of Seagulls
Read more: Men Without Hats and A Flock of SeagullsI wasn’t going to blog today, I’m tired. (I did get lazy and left this overnight) But as it turns out, I really enjoyed spending the work day with a new and interesting group of people. We are working with…
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Lighting Preps
Read more: Lighting PrepsEvery day isn’t working on a show. There are days set aside for other tasks, and today is one of those. Today is a prep day, and I will be working on the lighting/electric crew today. Usually I work…
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Drum Tao
Read more: Drum TaoToday’s show is with Drum Tao. If you don’t know what Taiko drums are, they’re a type of Japanese drum which tend to range up into the size I would call enormous. There will be other instruments on stage too…
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Chubby Checker
Read more: Chubby CheckerI’m working with Chubby Checker tonight and to be honest I forgot just how good his band sounds. Jim (keys), Avery (guitar), Harry (drums), Joseph (bass), and Branden (sax). The sound of that Hammond organ is classic. They are unbelievably…
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Pablo Cruise and Jim Messina
Read more: Pablo Cruise and Jim MessinaToday we’re working on Pablo Cruise and Jim Messina. Both bands are traveling together but are using separate sound monitor desks. Pablo is using our FOH desk and our monitor board but Messina are using their own monitor desk. Complicating…
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Little Women
Read more: Little WomenThis weekend we are working on the musical adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott book, Little Women. The company showed up with 2 simi trucks full of set pieces, lighting, audio equipment, props and lots of wardrobe. So far it’s…
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