A Day in the Life of Taylor Harris

5:00 PM

Taylor is meeting with his group from Design for the Stage about their mock-production project. They are in charge of the conception and design of an entire theatre show—“Dirty Blonde” about Mae West. Tomorrow is their pre-production final presentation pitch. Taylor loves the ‘real world’ experience of establishing a team, working together and negotiating everybody’s different artistic visions into a cohesive whole. Drama students have some strong convictions when it comes to creativity, but like the School of Drama mantra says, “art is collaboration!”

6:30 PM

After grabbing his favorite dinner on-the-go from Ginger’s Deli in Posner Hall—chicken wrap, side of pasta salad, bottle of water—Taylor’s off to his nightly Production Preparation, more simply called “Crew.” It’s his favorite part of the day. They are in the final tech process before the preview opening of the Spring Musical Candide, and Taylor is the Assistant Sound Designer. He tweaks a couple things related to the live orchestra and the stage mics but overall, things are looking ready for the red curtain to rise tomorrow.

9:30 PM

The crew will be working until 11:30pm, so during their 20-minute break Taylor goes to his favorite spot to relax. On the hill nestled between Purnell Center and Doherty Hall is a small Greek-style outdoor amphitheater that's not currently in use. Taylor frees his mind of all the hustle, bustle, and well, drama of his packed schedule. It’s just Taylor and the lit-up view of Oakland. The hill also overlooks the Cut, which often makes for some good people-watching!

11:45 PM

Everything seems ready for tomorrow’s show and Taylor and some friends are in need of their midnight snack. Just three meals a day on this schedule? He doesn’t think so! So it’s off to the “O” (Original Hot Dog Shoppe) for some cheese fries, a guilty pleasure beyond compare. It never fails to amaze him and his friends that three of them have trouble finishing a medium-sized fries! No wonder the place is a Pittsburgh legend. After the food-fest it’s time to pack it in for tomorrow’s big day.

9:30 AM

Taylor preps himself for the day’s full agenda. After Lighting Design and Design for the Stage he’ll have to hightail it over to Chosky Theater to prep for the Candide premiere. He loves the play by Leonard Bernstein; sometimes he has to be careful to only mouth the words to the songs from backstage—you can hear everything in the first row! Besides, he’s on the production and managerial side of drama (he wants to own and manage a performing arts center some day) so he leaves the singing to the professionals.

7:00 PM

People are taking their seats and the show will begin shortly. Taylor must admit that he has some butterflies, but that’s normal on opening night. He let’s his mind wander for a moment to his plans for his day off from the show—a Sunday trip to the Southside with his sweetie. They’ll catch the matinee at City Theater about a Pittsburgh native turned Broadway veteran. Too perfect! Afterwards they’ll head down East Carson Street to South Side Works for some great grub at the new Cheesecake Factory. He snaps back to reality as a fellow crew member taps him on the shoulder and whispers, “here goes,” as the lights go down and the crowd begins to applaud…