At the end of every scenery evaluation, I always try to document the building and other items of interest. I may never return to that space again and it can provide context for later discussions about Freemasonry in that region. It is also helpful to place a Scottish Rite theater within a physical context when discussing a particular set of backdrops. The other rooms in a Masonic facility also provide a lot of information about that particular Valley and membership. What did the Scottish Rite Bodies perceive as valuable? In what areas did they invest substantial funds?
My favorite things to look for in a Scottish Rite building are the signs left by the “management” for the “cast” and “crew.”
These reminders point to problematic areas and issues encountered during general use and Scottish Rite Reunions. Some signs are simply attempts to stop common practices when safety codes changed, such as smoking regulations. Recent “No Smoking” signs are located throughout many Masonic buildings, especially backstage areas and dressing rooms.
Occasionally, these signs are placed directly above ashtrays still in use. During many scenery evaluations, I have often encountered the pungent smell of cigars or cigarettes wafting down from the arbor rail. A typical shout will accompany the first cloud of smoke: “Don’t worry! Nothing’s on fire! It’s just me.” Other forms of vice can be found in the backstage areas. In Fort Scott, we uncovered the empty whiskey bottles, shot glasses, and a few spittoons tucked away under the last shelf in a stage left storage area and along the arbor rail.
There are also the personal decorations of backstage areas with murals, cartoons, newspaper clippings, and photos. In McAlester, Oklahoma, a series of Egyptian hieroglyphs decorate the halls leading from the house right area, past the degree director’s office, and into the paint and supply room.
In Fort Scott, a theatre sign denoted theater occupancy and included a point within a circle for the “o” in auditorium. How clever, the sign painter decided to make something Masonic without the majority of the general public ever realizing it.
There were always the standard signs stating, “no food or drink in the auditorium” and “exit.” It made me think of contemporary parallels when entering performance spaces and current requests of “Please silence cell phones.” What will future generations think of us? The signs point to the times and activities. Even temporal signs will leave clues as to the building’s occupants. In Santa Fe, the door leading from the dressing room to the stage held two bright yellow sheets of paper that read, “No Loose Glitter! Hair ornament. Shoes tidy. Look Perfect! Smile! Have Fun! Be Radiant! Be a Star!”
That was a long message to a performer prior to making an entrance. Obviously, this was a left-over sign from a past dance recital, but I had to wonder how long it had remained posted and how many men had glanced at that same sign before performing in a degree production. Another Santa Fe favorite is a permanent neon sign on the back wall of the Auditorium. It reads “Louder, Slower, “ signaling amateur actors to either project their lines or slow down their delivery.
Again, this shows the forethought to identify and address a continued problem. Some signs are unique insights to the world of Scottish Rite degree productions.
In the three hours that I was onsite at the Moline Scottish Rite, I took over 1500 photos. Of particular interest was a back stage sign that read, “No Smoking, No Profanity, Silence.”
I chuckled as I conjured up scenarios of the last incident that resulted in the creation of this sign. What was the last straw that broke the camel’s back? After all, it was placed stage left above a full-length mirror, suggesting that an actor was at fault before a stage entrance. Could a lit cigarette have accidentally burned something or someone, subsequently causing a burst of profanity from an individual during a contemplative part of a degree production?
I was also able to take extensive photos of the backstage and wardrobe areas. The Moline dressing room is located two flights down from the auditorium. It was much less impressive than the wardrobe rooms in Santa Fe, NM, or Wichita, KS. In the western region, many Scottish Rite dressing rooms included elaborate spaces with glass-faced cabinets displaying extensive costume collections and costume accessories.
The Moline dressing rooms included a standard space for the men to disrobe and leave their personal belongings, costume cabinets, wig shelves, and makeup tables. The one sign that made me laugh out loud started out as a beautifully hand-lettered: “Keep Wigs Off Until Made Up.” I could see someone trying to pull a costume over a very large wig, thus prompting the need for a sign. Signs were the answer to repeated complaints by the management, cast, and crew. Then the additional writing on any one sign specifies additional problems with on one issue. It was the permanent marker writing on the Moline wig sign that added, “Note! Your Wardrobe Man will put it on for You! Your Wardrobe Man will take it off, also!” I have to wonder if a fraternal actor went out on stage with his wig on backwards. At what point did the costume crew decide the cast should keep their hands off the wigs? My guess is immediately upon receiving the shipment of wigs.
Another Moline wardrobe sign noted “If Costume Needs Repair Report to Degree Captain.” This suggests a fairly advanced hierarchy in the wardrobe department, not always a common occurrence in every Scottish Rite theater.
As with the signs in commercial theaters or other public performance spaces, these are signs of the times.
To be continued…
