A Salute To Meeting Planners!

Broadway on the Driveway's 2010
Fiddler on the Roof Set, Designed by Mike Dace 

Our set designer, Mike, from St. Louis, MO used to do a lot of work with Meeting Planners International. He loved planning corporate events and conventions of all shapes and sizes. His design and decorating ideas stemmed from his consulting work with Disney's Magic Kingdom, as well as his background in film and live theatre. When Mike came on as our theatre company's set designer, we had found a treasure of a designer!

Broadway on the Driveway's 1997
Fiddler on the Roof Set

My respect for meeting planners & desigers climbs as I recall the event planning gems of wisdom we learned from Mike along the way. Take a good look at his "Fiddler on the Roof"set design (above). Now look at the "Fiddler on the Roof" picture from our theatre company's first "Fiddler on the Roof." set (left).  Yes, the show was performed ON our driveway. And yes, the Fiddler was ON the roof! CRAZY, NO?  Read more: here  A far cry from Mike's set design!

Guest Dancer Ballerinas: Gracie & Lacy's 2008
Christmas Dessert Theatre

Mike designed our Christmas Dessert Theatre for the "Gracie & Lacy Show."  We talked about the venue, staging & songs in the show. At our design meeting Mike pulled out a cactus, a camel and a sombrero. I was confused. Apparently, I had missed a "S" in "DESSERT." I had asked him to design a "Christmas DESERT Theatre Show!



Mike quickly re-grouped and designed a Candy Cane set (above)
with corrugated cardboard from STUMPS and a good ole' pipe & drape system.

"The Gracie & Lacy Christmas Show" 2012

Back in the day, Mike had an unforgettable
experience with pipe and drape that tops many a convention horror story. His client requested draping around the perimeter of the event space.  The ceilings were exceptionally high. . . so you can imagine, there was a lot of drape! The night before the event, the fire marshall made a surprise appearance with the pleasant news that their drape was not flame retardant. . . and it must come down.  Mike's team stayed up all night. . . spraying every last inch of the drape with flame- retardant spray.  The next day, they were severely ill and sleep deprived - but the event was BEAUTIFUL.

Hey, the show much go on! Three cheers for meeting & special events planners!

Favorite Special Event Venue In Charleston, SC

I'd like to sing the praises of a new favorite venue! I highly recommend the North Charleston Convention Center & Coliseum. 

They offer a variety of unique rooms, performance, conference & exhibit spaces.  

We performed "Remembering Judy Garland" in the Montague Terrace room, and were pleased by the flexibility of this space.  

We credit the organizational skills of the amazing staff for such a great night!

The room was transformed into a performance venue and the show was catered dinner theatre style.  The technical staff and technicians were professional and accommodating.  Audio was top notch and we had a seamless soundcheck. 

Built-in mood lighting options were available to coincide with our colors and theme.  Which color would you pick for the "Remembering Judy Garland" show?  

GRACIE & LACY TIP: 

Ever been trapped in a special event catastrophe? Sometimes you can remedy an "event gone south" by consuming vast amounts of coffee and chocolate, and by tossing your i-phone into a pond. 

In more dire cases, you might be able to get a note from your doctor, stating how "out-of-your-mind" you were to take on the nightmare in the first place. 

While there are some venues out there that should never have been born. . . the North Charleston Convention Center & Coliseum is a true winner!  

We'll definitely look forward to bringing the Gracie & Lacy Show back in the future.