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Dirty Dancing - Ryan McCausland

Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Read Ryan's write-up about the show, below the photos.

Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.

"I based my setup for this show on Miles Lassi’s (add link) setup for the original tour. This tour of Dirty Dancing uses eight musicians: 2 Keys, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Trumpet/Flugel, Reeds, and Percussion. Originally six of the eight musicians were supposed to be visible in costume on large band platforms onstage but the platforms were cut due to spatial constraints. The band now plays remotely offstage or in the pit when it’s available.

Because the orchestra is meant to play a role in the show, many of us were worked into certain scenes and have onstage appearances during certain numbers. I play the cajon, bongos, and djembe out onstage using wireless IEMs to hear our Musical Director and the rest of the band.

This is one of the most fantastic companies I’ve ever been lucky enough to work with."

The setup for this show is mostly hand percussion and consists of:

  • Three Congas
  • Bongos
  • Djembe
  • Cajon
  • Large Shaker
  • Small Shaker
  • LP One Shot Shaker
  • Egg Shaker
  • Guiro
  • Mounted Tambourine
  • Bell Tree
  • Mark Tree
  • Triangle (on the Miller Machine)
  • Small Cowbell
  • Large Cowbell
  • Castanets
  • Temple Blocks
  • Agogo Bells
  • Orchestra Bells
  • Vibraslap
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Foot Tambourine

Dirty Dancing - Tour - Ryan McCausland
March 2018

Ryan McCausland's percussion setup for the National Tour of Dirty Dancing at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Paul Hansen's setup for Bruce at Seattle Rep in Seattle, Washington.
Patrick Lehosky's percussion setup for In the Heights at the CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale, New York.
Jay Mack's setup for the National Tour of If/Then at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington.
"After a grueling four years at SUNY I still had one theory class left to finish. I was really depressed. A classmate of mine recommended me for a tour of a Broadway show. This completely changed the course of my life."
  • 7 min read
"When I first got the call to start working on Ain’t Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations, I was curious about which era the show was going to focus on. Their career began in the early 1960’s and they’re still releasing albums today."
"The unique part of Groundhog Day was that the drummer had to play on stage, in a groundhog costume, wearing a giant groundhog head. Since I could barely see out of the head, it was impossible to read a chart (and there wasn’t a music stand), so it had to be memorized."
  • 4 min read
Steve Gadd's drum solo from the track "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". From the album Live Stuff (out of print) from the legendary 1970's New York based band Stuff.
Robbie Ameen's drum solo from the track "Spring Fling".

Gene Krupa's drum solo from "Gene's Blues" from the album Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich released November 1955.

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