THEATRE & CINEMA DEPARTMENT
GUIDELINES FOR WORKSHOPS
PURPOSE & INTENT
Workshop Productions
are the arena where an aspiring young playwright may first hear the work read,
where directing students may work a play or scene they find exciting, or where
a group of students can together create an original ensemble piece. Workshops are PRIMARILY to be about the
interaction of actor, director and script. Therefore, the ÒstuffÓ of sets, lights, and costumes is
intentionally limited. While
designers are frequently involved in Workshop productions, the emphasis in on
the ESSENTIAL tools of a high concept and low tech
formulation and on the development of collaborative relationships between and
among members of the design team.
* ALL WORKSHOP
PRODUCTIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PRODUCTION COMMITTEE. Approval forms are available from the
chair of the production committee.
* DIRECTORS are
qualified graduate and undergraduate students and, on occasion, faculty
members. The Production Committee endorses
the director as part of the Workshop approval process.
* Designers are also
qualified graduate and undergraduate students and, on occasion, faculty
members. Appropriate design
faculty must advise the design/production process. Randy, Jane, John, Bill or David W. must suggest, recommend
and/or assign an appropriate designer.
* Technical support is
intentionally LIMITED to insure focus on the primary transactions among
director, actors, script, and audience.
* NO SHOP USE ALLOWED,
unless given permission by the appropriate department head of each individual
shop.
* Set pieces may be
pulled from stock, but not modified.
Stock scenery, properties, and furniture must be cleared for use by the
appropriate faculty/staff member (Randy, Bill and/or David W.).
* Costumes may be
pulled from stock and minimally altered.
Costume pieces must be cleared for use and alteration by the appropriate
faculty/staff member (Jane and/or Necia).
* Lighting equipment is
the available 204 inventory.
* Sound equipment is
the available 204 inventory.
* Workshop productions
are not supported with marketing resources.
* Audition notices,
press releases, calendar announcements, fliers, programs or any other publicity
tools are the responsibility of the director. The director must take care of posting and distributing
publicity materials for his/her workshop.
* The designation
ÒDepartment of Theatre & Cinema Workshop ProductionÓ must appear on all printed
matter.
* Financial support is
by the Department funds ONLY – we donÕt want students spending their own
money, or borrowing things from merchants, family, etc.
* Each 1st
year graduate student in directing and undergrad director PAB 204 workshop will
have available to it the following funds:
up to $50.00 to be used for expendable props (i.e. – food) and
materials. (Graduate students please see separate Protocol list for graduate
workshops.)
* 2nd year
graduate students in directing will have the following funds: up to $750 to be
used as needed for the production. (Graduate students please see separate
Protocol list for graduate workshops.)
* Receipts must be kept
for all monies spent and then reconciled by the director and/or stage manager
with the Fiscal Technician, Pat Aldridge.
* The director must
obtain contact information (usually a website) for material under copyright,
make sure that Patty Raun knows of the royalty requirements for the proposed
piece.
* Patty will contact
the leasing agent and arrange appropriate royalty payment.
* The director MUST
NOT, under any circumstances, contact the leasing agent.
* Any piece under
royalty must be negotiated well in advance through the Department Head, Patty
Raun.
* Common sense,
thoughtful behavior, organized planning are required attributes of all Workshop
participants.
* NO modification of
the facility nor of the essential equipment and ÒsystemsÓ in any of the spaces
in PAB is permitted.
* Proper and safe use
of equipment is expected. DO NOT
attempt to use ANY of the specialized lighting and sound systems unless you
FULLY understand how to do so and have permission from John and/or David W.
* Installations of
setting(s) and lighting are expected to be workmanlike and ÒprofessionalÓ. The safety of actors AND audience is
crucial.
* Rehearsal/Performance
spaces used in PAB must be kept clean for use by others. This task is the responsibility of the
ENTIRE production company. Scenery
pieces (i.e. – platforms, furniture, etc.) should be cleared to one end
of the room and covered after rehearsal and/or performances.
* Facility/Equipment
used for classes MUST remain accessible.
Avoid blocking access to blackboards and projection screens.
* DO NOT interfere with
the projection equipment in 204a (booth).
* The Room Reservation
Policy and the procedures and expectations outlined in the Student Handbook
apply.
* Dispose of trash,
turn OFF lights and AIR CONDITIONING when leaving.
* Lock all appropriate
doors, and cabinets when leaving.
* Report any problems
with the facility or equipment to appropriate faculty/staff.
LOAD-IN & TECHNICAL
REHEARSALS
* Workshops will gain
access to the performance space only AFTER the preceding production has
completed strike.
* Workshops will be guaranteed
access not more than one week before technical rehearsals are to start.
* DO NOT tamper with,
cannibalize, modify or otherwise alter the facilityÕs equipment.
* Space must be left
clean, and clear of all Audience seating, scenery pieces, costumes and
properties should be stored appropriately.
* All
facility/equipment used for classes MUST be restored.
* Exit lights and safe
methods of egress MUST NOT be compromised.
* Fire extinguishers
MUST remain accessible.
* A COMPLETE STRIKE
MUST IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW your final performance!
* The entire cast,
director, and all members of the
production team are responsible for strike.
* The performance space
MUST be returned to its PROPER condition.
If you have questions about what PROPER condition is, see Bill, Randy,
David or John.
* STRIKE includes but
it NOT necessarily LIMITED to:
* Appropriate costume pieces
must be returned to the Costume Shop, they must be cleaned and then
returned to storage.
* Lighting instruments must be
hung on battens.
* Cable must be coiled and
stored neatly on shelves in the booth.
* Color must be returned to the
Studio Theatre.
* Sound equipment must be
properly stored.
* Furniture, props, and stock
scenery must be returned to the appropriate storage.
* Remove trash to the dump-cart
outside the building.
* Borrowed items must be
returned in good order.
* Extra masking must be removed,
folded neatly, and stored.
* Specialized rigging must be
removed and returned to storage.
* Chairs must be returned to the
carts.
* Floor must be swept.
* Clean the booth!
* The truck may be used
IF it is available and if a responsible driver can be found. If it is NOT available you MUST make
other arrangements. See Bill
and/or David to schedule truck usage.
The following list is
not meant to be exhaustive. It
does not cover all possible problems.
However, it does cover the most common problems and is meant to suggest
a basic process for dealing with equipment trouble.
* Relax!
* THINK!!
* Take time, be
methodical.
* Assume operator
error. The problem is usually with
the HUMAN interface. Read
appropriate manual(s).
* Seek assistance from
faculty/staff.
* DO NOT, under ANY
circumstances, tear into the equipment!!!
NO LIGHT?
* Turn OFF electricity
BEFORE running checks.
* Even if Òit was
working a second agoÓ, ALWAYS check the obvious:
Be sure all connections/plugs
are properly engaged.
Be sure all switches/knobs/pots
are in the proper position.
Check ALL wiring/cables for
defects (i.e. – breaks, heat, smoking, melting).
Check appropriate lamp(s).
NO SOUND?
* Reduce volume levels.
* Even if Òit was
working a second agoÓ, ALWAYS check the obvious:
Be sure all connections are
properly engaged.
Be sure all switches/knobs/pots
are in the proper position.
Check ALL wiring/cables for
defects.
Is there a signal at the Source?
(i.e. – Did the tape run out? Is the mic turned off?)
AGREEMENT FORM - download or "save as", print, and sign
Turn in to Jane Stein or David Johnson.