I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming). 

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------

Strictly from reading your post, i have a feeling that you actually have two separate issues. One is knowing how to use what's back there, and two is knowing how to organize it and use it safely. Books and web sites are fine, but the problem is that you can't ask questions.

My suggestion is to get a consultant. If your district won't pay for one, you can look for a university that has a really good tech theatre program and ask one of the professors (with maybe a couple of advanced students) to come over for a few hours, maybe on a weekend, and see what they have to say. You can offer to buy them lunch or something similar. I say a university only because you never know what you're going to get from a two-year college or a community theatre group. Some of these are fine, but unfortunately some don't have a clue. Or maybe there's a professional or regional theatre company nearby.

The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (www.usitt.org) is a great resource for this type of thing. They have a lot of members and programs and might be able to connect you with someone fairly local who is very knowledgeable.

It really doesn't take all that long to look around and make some recommendations. I did something similar for a community theatre group maybe fifteen years ago, and it only took a couple of hours. And it didn't cost them anything.

------------------------------
George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
www.georgefledo.net
http://astore.amazon.com/sdtbookstore-20
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 12:08
From: Emily Olson
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming).

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------

just going to be following this for my own knowledge...

------------------------------
Marisa Visser
Theatre Director
Irving TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 12:08
From: Emily Olson
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming).

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------

In terms of storage, it is really up to you.  Keep what you would like to keep, throw away the other stuff, and I mean, throw it away, if you can not come up with a use for it in the next couple of production cycles, toss it.  See if someone else can use it, then toss it.

Google is honestly a really good place to look for storage ideas for costumes or props, a simple image search brings up lots of ideas.  Try something, see if it works for you.  We just redid all of our costume storage, for example, because it did not work like we wanted.  Now, we feel like we have a pretty good system.

In terms of props storage, I really like Banker Boxes as they can be stacked and written on, are cheap and all the same size.  They look neat, too-- which administrators like as well.

In terms of the maintenance of the facility and tech care, etc.  See if local or nearby vendors and or reps will come visit with you regarding certain projects.  If there is a college or community theater nearby seek out collaboration.  

I have mentioned on this forum before-- but Bill Raoul's book, Stock Scenery Construction: a handbook is a good resource as is a copy of Photometrics and The Back Stage Handbook.

------------------------------
Michael Johnson
Trinity NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 12:08
From: Emily Olson
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming).

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------

You hit the nail on the head when you said that high school theatres built in the last decade or so "looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality". For the past two years I worked in a theatre that was built in 1997, and it was joyfully functional compared to the previous three theatres that I worked in that were built within the last decade. If you are reading this and your school is going to be building a new theatre, do your best to be on the design team. Architects don't understand how a theatre functions (who can blame them, when they go to see a show all they see is the polished performance) and many "theatre consultancy" firms out there have experience in home theatres and places of worship, but not in high school theatre operations. I once had a sound system consultant tell me he thought it would be fun to work in the theatre!

The other part of the equation is your comment "it could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen". Administrators – also through no fault of their own, not having experienced the theatrical process – don't understand how many "coaches" it takes to run a theatre facility safely and functionally. I encourage you to continue to be a 'squeaky wheel' and advocate for theatre staff. Have a look at the "Gold Standard" schools listed on my website at http://www.presett.org/gold-standard-schools.html and point out to your administrators that a theatre facility needs staff just as a sports facility does.

Good for you for looking to improve safety and operations regardless! I agree with George – if the school district won't properly staff the facility reach out to the community. Also if your theatre hasn't had a safety inspection since it opened, see if the district will do that – they should have one every two to three (max) years. Contact Erich Friend at teqniqal.com - he's in Texas.  I also have some books on my website that may help you too – albeit, as George says, they don't respond to questions…

------------------------------
Beth Rand, EBMS
High School Theatre Operations Coach

Next HS Theatre Management Training for Drama Teachers online course: Winter Session starts Jan. 15 (limited to 8 students).

Author of "The High School Theatre Safety Manual" and "High School Theatre Signs and Documents" and several more books on Amazon.

www.PRESETT.org
Westminster, CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 12:08
From: Emily Olson
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming).

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------

I'm a fan of the book, "Technical Theater for Nontechnical People" by Drew Campbell.  We used it in my introductory college stagecraft class.  As the title suggests, it's a great book to start out with to explain many technical aspects for those with limited or no knowledge of them.

As suggested, have an inspection, especially of the fly system.  Also, it would be worth a training course to teach you, key faculty/operations, and even a few students how to use the system.  There should be some kind of signage near the fly system that indicates who installed it, and possibly information about inspections.  There should also be an operation and maintenance manual around, which is important to have.

In terms of storage, specifically what to keep, and what to pass on, I set up rules that guide what is usable in the future, and what will just sit around or accumulate.

For example:
-Props: Items should be in sets (e.g. dishes, chairs) or unique in a good way (that one super cool chair).  If it's unique, but isn't sturdy or really that good looking, it needs to go away.  Same if you can't imagine a show for it.
-Props: Paperback books are almost useless, and hardbound books should have no just jacket, and look relatively clean (no text readable from far away)
-Scenery: Stock sizes (anything that's an even size), such as 2'x6' or 4x8' will be useful.  Sometimes odd sizes are nice, but typically you won't use them.
-Scenery: Trash the broken pieces and the weird unique thing.  You're never going to use it, and the space is more valuable than keeping it.  I used students to help me decide what was useful, and also had them do the demo.
-Lumber: Ideally it should be at least a full sheet in one direction (if the original piece was 4'x8', a cut piece should be at least 4' wide, or 8' tall).
-Lumber: 2x4s under 2' will crop up, and you don't to keep them.  We keep one set under 2' for our blackbox risers, and that's it.  The rest is pitched.
-Paint: Rotten or bad paint needs to go.
-Lights: Fixtures with white cotton cords often contain asbestos.  Contact your operations department/supervisor about getting these removed as quickly as possible.

------------------------------
Sydney Thiessen
Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator and Technical Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 12:08
From: Emily Olson
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming).

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------

Good list, Sydney.

You can find similar ideas in a couple of my blog posts:

https://setdesignandtech.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/saving-stuff-or-not/

https://setdesignandtech.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/organizing-your-prop-collection/

------------------------------
George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
www.georgefledo.net
http://astore.amazon.com/sdtbookstore-20
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2017 13:09
From: Sydney Thiessen
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm a fan of the book, "Technical Theater for Nontechnical People" by Drew Campbell.  We used it in my introductory college stagecraft class.  As the title suggests, it's a great book to start out with to explain many technical aspects for those with limited or no knowledge of them.

As suggested, have an inspection, especially of the fly system.  Also, it would be worth a training course to teach you, key faculty/operations, and even a few students how to use the system.  There should be some kind of signage near the fly system that indicates who installed it, and possibly information about inspections.  There should also be an operation and maintenance manual around, which is important to have.

In terms of storage, specifically what to keep, and what to pass on, I set up rules that guide what is usable in the future, and what will just sit around or accumulate.

For example:
-Props: Items should be in sets (e.g. dishes, chairs) or unique in a good way (that one super cool chair).  If it's unique, but isn't sturdy or really that good looking, it needs to go away.  Same if you can't imagine a show for it.
-Props: Paperback books are almost useless, and hardbound books should have no just jacket, and look relatively clean (no text readable from far away)
-Scenery: Stock sizes (anything that's an even size), such as 2'x6' or 4x8' will be useful.  Sometimes odd sizes are nice, but typically you won't use them.
-Scenery: Trash the broken pieces and the weird unique thing.  You're never going to use it, and the space is more valuable than keeping it.  I used students to help me decide what was useful, and also had them do the demo.
-Lumber: Ideally it should be at least a full sheet in one direction (if the original piece was 4'x8', a cut piece should be at least 4' wide, or 8' tall).
-Lumber: 2x4s under 2' will crop up, and you don't to keep them.  We keep one set under 2' for our blackbox risers, and that's it.  The rest is pitched.
-Paint: Rotten or bad paint needs to go.
-Lights: Fixtures with white cotton cords often contain asbestos.  Contact your operations department/supervisor about getting these removed as quickly as possible.

------------------------------
Sydney Thiessen
Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator and Technical Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR

Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 12:08
From: Emily Olson
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming).

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------

Resource: 

"Stock Scenery Construction Handbook" by by Bill Raoul (Author, Illustrator), Mike Monsos (Author)

• Perfect Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Broadway Press; Third edition (September 15, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911747435
• ISBN-13: 978-0911747430

The book has ideas on how to organize a scene shop and some back stage areas.  I agree with what is posted elsewhere about getting some assistance with organization!  Eventually what you choose to do now will pay dividends - if nothing else - you will know where everything is!  Keeping things out of the hands of those who do not need to be handling it is key for you!  A clean theater limits liability for you and will impress even the administrator who got the job from three losing seasons at their former sport!

It will take hard work to get organized- but the payoff is knowing where things are!

------------------------------
Robert Holter
Helena MT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 12:08
From: Emily Olson
Subject: resources for backstage organization and safety?

I'm looking for good resources (books and/or websites) about how to organize a backstage area (including what kinds of things are needed, how to store things properly, etc.). I own some books about technical theatre but I'm trying to see if there's more out there that can help because technical theatre is not an area of strength for me (except I do pretty well with costuming).

I just started teaching at a new (to me) school and the auditorium here is very different from my previous school. It's an old space (1960s, I think), which is cool, but it's just got a lot more to it than my old school. My previous auditorium was built in 2007 and it looked pretty but really lacked a lot of functionality. There was no fly system/rigging, no scene shop, etc. and because we were a new program we owned very little as far as costumes, props, and set pieces.

For being so old, this space doesn't have as many costumes, props, and scenery as it probably should, but there is certainly more than I worked with previously. There is a large fly system. Within the last 3 years they have had new lighting and sound systems put in, which is awesome, but I'm not completely convinced they were put in properly. I just don't know enough to be sure. And, it seems that my predecessors, at least in the past 5-10 years, have not had any more technical theatre knowledge than I have so the space just hasn't been maintained as well as it ought to have been. There just seems to be a lot that has fallen into disrepair, which makes me nervous because that brings up safety concerns.

It's the kind of space that could really benefit from having an auditorium manager/tech director, but alas, that is unlikely to happen. So, it's up to me and my very limited technical theatre knowledge to make this place safe and functional for me and my kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

------------------------------
Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
------------------------------