Active TopicsActive Topics  Display List of Forum MembersMemberlist  CalendarCalendar  Search The ForumSearch  HelpHelp
  RegisterRegister  LoginLogin
Closed Topics (Forum Locked Forum Locked)
 Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Archives :Closed Topics
Message Icon Topic: getting a new auditorium/theater(Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post Reply Post New Topic
Page  of 3 Next >>
Author Message
Aimee
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 8/31/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 156
bullet Topic: getting a new auditorium/theater
    Posted: 5/02/05 at 2:32pm

Well, we just had a refferendum pass for our schools and a new auditorium/theater is in the plans to be  added to the high school. Wondering if anyone has any "must haves" or "must not" things you could tell me about. We are just in the begining stages of development and I don't want to find  something has been left out simply because we didn't think to ask for it. 

What I do know is it is planned to be 500 seats. There will be a scene shop, and a production booth. Right now that is all I know, and even that is not for sure, yet.

If you have any advice I would love to have it. Whether it be structural or equipment. As Technical Director I do know I need more storage, and more lights!

Thanks!

Aimee

Aimee
IP IP Logged
JCCTony
Star
Star
Avatar

Joined: 2/03/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 73
bullet Posted: 5/02/05 at 2:52pm
costume shop/dressing rooms? We didn't have dressing rooms in high school. It was always a tad naughty backstage for this reason...lotta hush-hush if ya know what I mean. You get a bunch of raging hormones getting undressed in front of each other (quickly for the next scene or not) and things can get wierd.

The Wizard of Oz and Glenda have a three year old now...named Dorothy...NO LIE!
IP IP Logged
tristanrobin
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 4/25/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 704
bullet Posted: 5/02/05 at 3:02pm
Good wing space

A usable stage floor (often schools install those highly polished
- and considered sacred - hardwood basketball court floors on
stages. They can't be nailed into - they reflect light - they're
slippery - they're awful.)

A real scrim (sigh - LOL)

An orchestra pit that is low enough to actually keep the heads
of the pit orchestra musicians out of the sightline.

Backstage bathrooms and dressing rooms (a real luxury in
high schools)

geesh

I could spend a bazillion dollars for you LOL



IP IP Logged
Topper
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 1/27/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 543
bullet Posted: 5/03/05 at 12:03am
Usable fly space! (equal or greater to the height of
the proscenium) and a workable pulley system to
raise and lower flats, backdrops, set pieces and the
like.

While it might look like a lot of wasted space on
paper, It makes designing, producing and executing
musicals and multi-scene plays SO much easier
you'll wonder how you ever got along without them.

Plus, it allows the auditorium to be used for many
other functions if you can fly your set out of view to
host a band concert, lecture, symposium or pep rally.    

How I wish I was in your shoes right now!
"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
IP IP Logged
Kathy S
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 8/21/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 303
bullet Posted: 5/03/05 at 12:38am

This is from the audience member's point of view:  make sure you have the seating spaced so there is plenty of leg room.  Don't make the audience pack in like sardines.

IP IP Logged
eagle
Lead
Lead


Joined: 5/12/04
Location: Hong Kong
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 29
bullet Posted: 5/03/05 at 4:48am

Give some thought to the wiring and the quality of sound equipment you are going to install.

Space for a prop table and such.

Good pulley system to rig scenery.

For presentations, a projector screen and consider where you will project the image from.

IP IP Logged
Gaafa
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1181
bullet Posted: 5/03/05 at 7:45am

On the stage, a dip trap that surrounds the acting area, along with an apron [forestage] stage.

All the dip traps should have general power & patch circuit outlets, along with patch audio point in/outlets.

If they go for a Fly Loft, ensure that the fly battens can be brought in to the stage floor & flown more than just the height of the proscenium, a rule of thumb, is twice the height of the pro-scene area, this allows for the grid, head blocks & gear ect.

A lighting patch system that can be expanded easily to accommodate upgrades.

Cat walks over the audience to make access to lighting equipment safer.

A mobile Stage Managers desk, that can be located easily on OP or PS of the stage. With in house programme monitors from colour house & infrared stage cameras, [programme monitors in front of house foyer & dressing rooms] performers call & tech talk back system .

Have standard off the shelf, sheet size masonite or similar, placed on the stage floor, which can easily be replaced if damaged, rather than just polished floor boards.

However it may be worth your while to gain information from local theatre venues & arrange to take the Architect, on a fact finding visit to them.

All the architects I have worked with, have really no idea what a theatre needs, other than from what they have gleaned as a member of the audience, then it was only because they got a comp ticket once!

      Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

IP IP Logged
Aimee
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 8/31/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 156
bullet Posted: 5/03/05 at 1:52pm

 WONDERFUL RESPONSE! Thanks.

 Some are ideas I already had, some I hadn't which is GREAT. We have our first meeting on the 12th or 13th of this month. It will be nice to have a few more ideas inhand.

 I do work in another theater so I do have something else to compare to. Not that I think I'll get half of what we actually need or want. At least I can ask for it right and try to fight for it.

Thanks again for all the input.

Aimee
IP IP Logged
jtonner
Star
Star


Joined: 2/02/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
bullet Posted: 5/03/05 at 3:15pm

Lots of good suggestions.  Here a couple more.

Do not let the number of seats determine where the sound mixer goes.  Many theatre put the sound in a booth with the lights.  It does give room for more seats, but it also makes it very hard to run the show sound.  I would suggest a permanent sound area at the center rear of the auditorium.

A suggestion on something you probably will not need is a Company Box (or Switch).  This is a standalone electric setup for traveling productions.  They can plug directly in to this box for show electric.  There are two high schools in the Detroit area that have brand new state-of-the-art theatre, and someone talked both into these $15000-$20000 options.  This much money could be better spent.

John

John
IP IP Logged
Gaafa
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1181
bullet Posted: 5/04/05 at 12:07am

They will possible baulk at a fly loft & counterweight system, for various reasons, such as cost & safety. But you can counter this with the fact that it is much safer, than students messing about with pulleys, ropes & weird improvised systems. Also as Topper posted, the teatre will have a faster turn around, to accommodate other things, such as lectures & the like. Giving it a more flexible multi-user friendly venue.

Ensure that you are appointed as an advisor to the architect &/or have a consultant role, with all stages of the project. If nothing else you will be there to ensure that the school doesn?t end up with a white elephant.

Architects, administrator & bean counters have a tendency to view it ascetically & enjoy cutting costs, to justify their existence. [even if it works or not?]

Go in armed with a plan of the best main aspects & have alternatives, as a fall back plan, because your going to have to justify most of your wish list, with a big ?Y?!

Best of luck!

      Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

IP IP Logged
Page  of 3 Next >>
Post Reply Post New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums version 8.05
Copyright ©2001-2006 Web Wiz Guide
buy generic cialis are in line cialis canada outcome for yourself viagra sales cost saving benefit viagra uk convert your buy phentermine online pay phentermine cod payment Lenders Everything xanax online your existing xanax overnight absolute must free incest stories online The value gay incest advance The key free dog sex pics cash flow dog sex the reduced noise free gay college guys of the period gay guys