BUTLER TWP - It's always nerve-racking to prepare a theater for a performance.

The lighting has to be just right. The sound must be checked and rechecked. And any special effects, such as smoke, must be carefully planned out.

Friday night's presentation of the Gatlin Brothers concert at Butler County Community College's Succop Theater is no exception to the rule.

However, the show has measured a little higher on the "panic factor" scale for BC3 theater director Larry Stock.

"I'm always a little nervous and apprehensive," Stock said. "You have to be in this business.

"And of course I'm extra nervous just because of who it is for this show."

Stock previously worked as a sound person for the Gatlin Brothers before taking the job as theater director at BC3.

BC3 has never had an act as big as the Gatlin Brothers perform in the 3-year-old theater, or on the campus, for that matter, Stock said. Because of this, special preparations had to be made to accommodate the brothers and their band.

The biggest challenge is to provide adequate sound for the show, Stock said.

The theater has limited monitors at its disposal for use, which was the first challenge Stock said he had to tackle. Monitors are used to send sound back to the performers so they are able to hear themselves.

"We had limited monitors here, so I had to install some extra equipment," Stock said. "That's a very critical thing for the band and the brothers because they have to be able to hear themselves."

Stock also had to do some creative wiring to be able to hook up all the equipment the band will need.

"But the beauty of this theater is we don't have to run any extra wires because we already have the wires here, we just have to hook them up," Stock said.

After sound, lighting was the next challenge Stock faced.Two more "follow lights" also are needed for the show. Follow lights are the spotlights that are placed on the performers.BC3 only had one of these lights, Stock said. It was able to borrow another one, and Stock planned to rent a third from a sound equipment store Wednesday.Stock also plans to use some special gold-colored gel on the lighting during the brothers' performance of their hit song "All The Gold in California.""We're trying to do something to give it some gee-whiz without all the expensive lighting," Stock said.Back and front lighting for the band and the brothers also is being added, Stock said.Other stuff also is being done behind the scenes, which is just as important as the lighting and sound, Stock said.Custodians are getting everything cleaned and in tip-top shape, including the dressing rooms and the "green" room.Food for the band and the brothers is being brought in before the show as well, Stock said.A pre-show reception is being held at 6:30 p.m. and will feature light hors d'oeuvres.Following the show, a dessert reception will be held. A chance to get autographs with the brothers also will follow the show.Tickets still are available for the show and can be bought in advance by calling the box office or at the door. Stock recommends calling in advance to ensure tickets still are available before taking a chance on buying them at the door.For more information or to buy tickets, call the BC3 theater box office at 724-284-8504.