And we're finally back with part 2 of my conversation with Sam Deshauteurs. Part 1 introduced us to Sam and his journey through a variety of positions in live entertainment. Now we hear his story about one specific day. A day of unthinkable horror. Comparable only perhaps to active duty in the military. Sam found himself standing stage left thinking about load out while tens of thousands of people awaited the headline performance after several days of music and good times when in an instant everything changed. Gun shots rang out from above and enjoyment led to confusion then to chaos. It was October 1st 2017 at the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest music festival which would henceforth be remembered as the single worst mass shooting in American history. 

Sam sits and talks with me while he recounts his experience from that horrific day. What's it like when thoughts of stage lights and load out is replaced with just trying to survive?

I can't thank him enough for the trust he had reliving this event with me to be shared with all of you. While it is not a graphic portrayal it is a pretty detailed one and therefore may not be for everyone. Please keep this in mind before listening though I hope most of you still do as this is a true story and one I believe should be heard.

Back with another episode and another guest with an inside look into some of what it takes to evolve and adapt and ultimately maintain longevity in this business. Here with part 1 we get to know about Sam Deshauteurs and his path over the last 2 plus decades into where he is today. Multiple positions on and off stage have led Sam to be quite the experienced professional, friend and father. 

With part 2 we will hear Sam recount the horrific events of the 2017 mass shooting at the harvest music festival in Las Vegas. Something that would obviously change his life forever when it should have been just another gig at just another show. More about this in the next episode but for now please enjoy getting to know this driven, hard working and well respected friend of mine.

Finding work in this industry after going to school for acting and technical theatre all while in active drug addiction in the 1980s could have ended badly for many. Thankfully Stu fought his way through, got sober, and is here to talk about it. From lighting design at the Ritz in New York, Touring and relapsing in Europe with Porgy and Bess and working with his IATSE local in Miami. He has not only been able to remain working and remain clean he also has managed to remain married for almost 40 years! 

This business while fun and exciting and even lucrative can also at times be stressful and maybe even depressing. The anxieties and stresses that potentially come along can be dealt with in a number of ways and can unfortunately lead to some dark places for many. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help out there. I really don't want to lose any of you so please visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources available or reach out to me for other services or even to get in contact with Stu directly. [email protected]

More stories from behind the curtain and this time with a focus on what happens when dancers are offstage. Told from a stage managers vantage point we hear that the organized beauty and grace an audience sees on stage is far from the whole picture. From illness and injury to unwanted animals and weather. The miracles behind making sure the show will go on are endless. Why would anyone deal with all these obstacles? Well as you'll hear its for the love of the art of live performance. 

Contact me at [email protected] to share your stories of stagehands, designers, performers, technical directors, company managers and anyone else involved in bringing live events to theatre's, concert halls, arena's and other venues around the world.

Starting things off with a conversation with Dave Camp. We get a little background into his parents start in the industry, then some truly unique and entertaining true stories from a unique and entertaining individual. Fun, light and relatively concise, I think this episode works as a great launching point for the podcast.

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