Armed with a cohort of more than 500 people, hundreds of spreadsheets and the ability to multitask like no-one else, Nicci Spalding has her hands full when it comes to the behind-the-scenes planning and setting up of the National Arts Festival.
In the game for decades, Spalding is no stranger to ensuring the safety of theatre attendees, artists, festival visitors and the average man on the street having been part of the festival for many years.
A professionally trained rigger, the technical director of NAF is no stranger to the ins and outs of what it takes to pull off an 11-day event with more than 30 venues and 240 productions on a whim.
“It is like playing a giant game of Tetris.
“It is a multilayered thing but you sort of know what’s coming.
“There is a lot we can't control but we plan and make sure we have control so anything in advance we get done,” Spalding said.
From front of the house to sounding and electrical technicians to paramedics and ushers, Spalding has it all under control.
Sitting down with Weekend Post for a rare one-on-one chat, Spalding could not sit still, for even a minute, as she skilfully navigates the tremendous task of ensuring everything runs smoothly and on time.
Six weeks before the NAF officially starts, Spalding and her various teams, made up mainly of freelance professionals, start the mammoth task of setting up.
First on the list is ensuring the lighting and seating at the various venues is secured.
In the weeks that follow, trucks from across the country begin arriving in Makhanda with tents, scaffolding and other equipment needed to pull off one of the biggest festivals in SA.
“I have the most incredible team who work day and night behind the scenes.
“It is almost like a dance to make sure the right venue is set up at the right time.
“The team are the most generous people who all bring amazing skills so there is nothing we cannot do or find,” Spalding said.
With scaffolding being the last thing put in place, Spalding said they work according to very high standards required by the law.
“It is highly specialised work and we can do basically anything,” she said.
According to Spalding, it is the first few days of the festival that are the most nerve-racking to ensure everything is going according to plan and that everything works.
“Load-shedding has had a huge impact on resources.
“Last year we went from stage two to six without an advanced warning.
“There were a lot of lessons learnt there,” she said.
During the festival, Spalding's teams are constantly working throughout with three major set shifts taking place daily in venues for the main programmes and hourly shifts for the fringe.
“We usually have at least three different plans in place, looking at what will work and what won’t work,” Spalding said.
At any given time the technical team has about 6,000 people seated in venues across Makhanda and essentially in their care, Spalding said.
“It is always in the back of your mind that something could go wrong.
“When a tragedy or an accident happens, patrons and visitors can be assured they will receive the best care.
“The idea is that no-one should notice us, if they do then something has gone wrong,” Spalding said.
Spalding said she was already busy with the technical plans for next year’s 50th anniversary of NAF.
The National Arts Festival runs until Sunday.
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