Open Forum

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

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Raymond Palasz
Auditorium Director/Director of Theatre
Munster High School
Munster, IN
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Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

My rule is, if the school uses the theatre for meetings, assemblies or non drama related events then they carry the burden and expense of upkeep. My budget goes for my program, royalties, sets, costumes and essentials. If they need tech (and they have to use my students) they pay for the service. Guest speakers provide their own laptops for power points and fill out a technical use form indicating the type of event, required support and statement agreeing to clean up after they are done. Outside groups have to pay a usage fee and provide proof of insurance. 

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

It doesn’t sound like anyone has a theatre manager! Are you expected to manage the theatre and teach? Is your production budget not separate from the theatre budget? The test for budget is – is it show-specific? As an example: if you absolutely must have R39 gels for your show (I would!) and the theatre doesn’t have any and doesn’t usually use that color, then that should come out of your show budget. If the theatre is using R02 and R60 for their area lights for every event that comes in, then those gels come out of the theatre budget, as do lamps and mic batteries, that sort of thing. This is the case in the high school theatre I manage. For instance, I have two wireless and two wired mics available for events, while the music department has a whole set of wireless mics (for jazz choir and musicals) which they bought from their budget and only they use. Other events must bring in their own equipment if they want more than the four mics the theatre offers. I have my own budget for theatre supplies, separate from the drama teacher’s budget and the music teachers’ budgets. But, it’s not just the funds/budgets – that’s only a symptom of a neglected system. There’s the question of who maintains the rep plot, who oversees other events while they are in the theatre, who enforces safety policies and procedures, the list is endless. If your theatre is being run like a ‘roadhouse’ (lots of event come into the space; your own plays, concerts, dance recitals, meetings, speeches, variety shows; school events, district events, outside events), then I urge you to talk with your administration about hiring a Theatre Manager and professional technicians. A ‘roadhouse’ high school theatre is not your budgeting responsibility and it certainly should not be your liability.

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

Oh yes, we have a building coordinator, but our district took that budget over several years ago so the building/auditorium has no budget currently.  Anything that the building coordinator wants to purchase has to go through the district and be approved by our CFO.

It doesn’t sound like anyone has a theatre manager! Are you expected to manage the theatre and teach? Is your production budget not separate from the theatre budget? The test for budget is – is it show-specific? As an example: if you absolutely must have R39 gels for your show (I would!) and the theatre doesn’t have any and doesn’t usually use that color, then that should come out of your show budget. If the theatre is using R02 and R60 for their area lights for every event that comes in, then those gels come out of the theatre budget, as do lamps and mic batteries, that sort of thing. This is the case in the high school theatre I manage. For instance, I have two wireless and two wired mics available for events, while the music department has a whole set of wireless mics (for jazz choir and musicals) which they bought from their budget and only they use. Other events must bring in their own equipment if they want more than the four mics the theatre offers. I have my own budget for theatre supplies, separate from the drama teacher’s budget and the music teachers’ budgets. But, it’s not just the funds/budgets – that’s only a symptom of a neglected system. There’s the question of who maintains the rep plot, who oversees other events while they are in the theatre, who enforces safety policies and procedures, the list is endless. If your theatre is being run like a ‘roadhouse’ (lots of event come into the space; your own plays, concerts, dance recitals, meetings, speeches, variety shows; school events, district events, outside events), then I urge you to talk with your administration about hiring a Theatre Manager and professional technicians. A ‘roadhouse’ high school theatre is not your budgeting responsibility and it certainly should not be your liability.

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!

I actually am the theatre facility manager.  I don't have a teaching load.  But I also run the extracurricular program.  And we do rent the space out at least once a month, sometimes more depending on the season.  But I don't know what happens to the money that comes in from the rental fees.  They pay it to the central office, and that's it.  I've been in talks with my building principal about purchases that in my mind should not be solely borne by the theatre program because everyone uses this equipment.  I may be asked to pay for part of it, though, because my predecessor left a lot of money.  Fair?  Not really since band/orchestra/choir aren't asked to pay for any of it.  

Thank you for this feedback, though, everyone!  Keep on fighting the good fights!

Oh yes, we have a building coordinator, but our district took that budget over several years ago so the building/auditorium has no budget currently.  Anything that the building coordinator wants to purchase has to go through the district and be approved by our CFO.

It doesn’t sound like anyone has a theatre manager! Are you expected to manage the theatre and teach? Is your production budget not separate from the theatre budget? The test for budget is – is it show-specific? As an example: if you absolutely must have R39 gels for your show (I would!) and the theatre doesn’t have any and doesn’t usually use that color, then that should come out of your show budget. If the theatre is using R02 and R60 for their area lights for every event that comes in, then those gels come out of the theatre budget, as do lamps and mic batteries, that sort of thing. This is the case in the high school theatre I manage. For instance, I have two wireless and two wired mics available for events, while the music department has a whole set of wireless mics (for jazz choir and musicals) which they bought from their budget and only they use. Other events must bring in their own equipment if they want more than the four mics the theatre offers. I have my own budget for theatre supplies, separate from the drama teacher’s budget and the music teachers’ budgets. But, it’s not just the funds/budgets – that’s only a symptom of a neglected system. There’s the question of who maintains the rep plot, who oversees other events while they are in the theatre, who enforces safety policies and procedures, the list is endless. If your theatre is being run like a ‘roadhouse’ (lots of event come into the space; your own plays, concerts, dance recitals, meetings, speeches, variety shows; school events, district events, outside events), then I urge you to talk with your administration about hiring a Theatre Manager and professional technicians. A ‘roadhouse’ high school theatre is not your budgeting responsibility and it certainly should not be your liability.

Hi everyone!  I was reading a thread about splitting proceeds with music departments when musicals are staged, and it brings up a related question:

How many of you are expected to use your extracurricular funds to support the theatre facility?  And how much are you expected to support it?  Here are things that we as theatre programs might be asked to pay for:  rigging/lighting inspections, lamp replacement, new lighting instruments, paint for the stage floor, curtain replacement/repair, lobby painting/furniture replacement.

I am in a new position, and this is a discussion we are currently having as we look to make some upgrades.  I thought I would reach out to you all to see what you are asked to contribute.

Thanks!