Need some first shoot and tripod help

Here is the situation let me know what you think:

Setting:
Dance recital with 50 numbers with 175 total students. Wife is the director so I will have some say in lighting. I'm solo shooting the rehearsal and the actual recital to hopefully generate a little income to help pay for the hobby. I have shot dance competitions in this theater for the past 4 years mostly free hand or on a monopod.

Equipment:
D2X(w/RRS L-bracket), 70-200mm vr, 17-55mm, 85mm 1.4.
IBM T41p laptop 1gb ram and 9hour battery
4GB and 2GB sandisk Ultra 3 cards and a lexar pro 2gb card + reader

Coming in Monday or Tuesday a Markins M-10 ball head and a RRS BH-55 ball head. I ordered the Markins before I found the RRS ballhead. I am thinking about just selling the Markins because of the stocking fee and I have a feeling that I am going to like the BH-55 better??

I am going to order a tripod first thing monday morning. I am leaning toward a Feisol because it is in my price range and I cannot find a used Gitzo G1228. Does anyone have any other recommendations around the $200 mark?


I know I don't have enough compact flash cards to just shoot the whole event that is why the laptop is coming. If I can get my settings dialed in at rehearsal I might shoot compressed raw at the rehearsal. I will probably shoot the 70-200mm for tight shots of the dancers. I was told that this is what parents want.

I plan on useing a site like prophoto to offer the pictures for sale. Any other recommendations are welcome.


Is there anything that I'm missing? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry

 

Gordon,
Thanks for the tips. I plan on shooting raw. I normally shoot iso800. I have been leary of the noise levels above that especially with the d2h.


You have some really great shots. When you shoot do you use a tripod, monopod, or freehand it?

Thanks again