Hi Kathy,
I have been drama director here in Summit New Jersey for some 22 years, starting at the high school, then teaching grade 5 for 10 years, and now at the middle school for the last decade or so. I am currently moving out of our auditorium and all storerooms as we are embarking on a 2.5 million dollar restoration of our 1922 theater -- It's going to be beautiful, but I have to find space for all our stuff for an entire year!
Here is what I normally have :but most stuff has been thrown out (kinda feels good to get rid of some of this stuff) - and the answers to your questions (in ALL CAPS so you can see):
1.I would describe my program as:
I PRODUCE A FALL SHOW (NON MUSICAL) AND A SPRING MUSICAL EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION, WE RUN A DRAMA CLUB FOR FIELD TRIPS, GUEST SPEAKERS, ETC. ALL THRU THE YEAR
b. A combination of a class or 2 of theatre with an after school program. I TEACH 5 PERIODS A DAY, DRAMA GRADE 6 & 7 (TWO CLASSES EACH-REQUIRED FOR EACH KID), AND ONE 8TH GRADE ADVANCED CLASS CALLED "GLEE" (GLOBAL LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE), WHERE THE STUDENTS WRITE THEIR OWN MUSICALS FOR THE ENTIRE QUARTER.(THIS IS AN ELECTIVE - AND THE MOST POPULAR ONE)
2. We have JUST OVER 1000 students in my school. (Exact number not needed, approximate) 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, FAIRLY EQUALLY SPLIT
3. For storage at my school, I have... TWO LARGE ROOMS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE STAGE. EACH IS ABOUT 20 FEET X 20 FEET OR SO WITH 30 FOOT CIELINGS. ONE IS OUR TOOL AND PAINT ROOM. THE OTHER SIDE IS LUMBER, FLATS, LARGE PROPS AND FURNITURE.
I ALSO HAVE A LARGER STOREROOM BEHIND OUR GYM - OLD LOCKER ROOMS, WHERE WE STORE STEP UNITS, PLATFORMS, SCAFFOLDING, THEATER SEATS, AND OTHER MISC BIG THINGS.
OUR STAGE HAS A STAIRWAY LEFT AND RIGHT THAT LEADS TO ORIGINAL DRESSING ROOMS. ABOUT 10 X 8 WITH SLANTED CIELINGS. THESE ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR BOYS AND GIRLS DRESSING ROOMS, SO ONE HAS BECOME OUR LIGHTING STORAGE ROOM, AND THE OTHER IS FILLED WITH PROPS.
THE OLD TOWER ROOM ABOVE MY CLASSROOM CAN NO LONGER BE USED AS A TEACHING SPACE (ITS ON THE 3RD FLOOR WITH NO FIRE ESCAPE), SO IT HAS BECOME MY COSTUME STORAGE ROOM. I HUNG CHAINS AND LARGE PIPES FROM THE RAFTERS AND WE HANG ABOUT 4000 COSTUMES THERE. IT'S ABOUT 40 X 40 WITH 30 FOOT CEILINGS. WITH HATS, ACCESSORIES, AND SHOES, ITS FULL TO THE BRIM!
I HAVE TAKEN OVER THE OLD MOVIE BOOTH IN THE BACK OF THE THEATRE AND USE IT FOR STORAGE OF SODA (FOR CONCESSIONS), AND OTHER, MORE VALUABLE PROPS (SWORDS, CRYSTAL BALL, SOME REALLY EXPENSIVE COSTUME PIECES ETC.) IT'S SMALL, BUT RIGHT NEAR MY CLASSROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR - ABOUT 6 X 8 FEET
EVERYTHING WE ARE KEEPING (AS I SAID, WE ARE CLEANING HOUSE AND THROWING AWAY A LOT OF STUFF - MOSTLY OLD FLATS, BROKEN PIECES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED IF NEEDED, ETC. NOW THAT THEY ARE GONE, I AM SURE I WILL NEED THEM!) IS BEING STORED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE SCHOOL. IT'S DARK, A BIT MUSTY - BUT THEY ASSURE ME - DRY-. I GUESS I'LL SEE IN A YEAR WHEN WE BRING IT ALL BACK UP! (COSTUMES ARE STAYING PUT, JUST PULLED TO ONE SIDE OF THE TOWER AND TARPED OVER BIG TIME!)
4. My storage is...
a. Not enough -- IT IS NEVER ENOUGH, AND MY BIG WORRY WAS DURING THIS RENOVATION OF THE THEATER, THAT I WOULD LOSE SOME TO SPORTS GROUPS, OR OTHER SCHOOL GROUPS. I CONFRONTED THE PRINCIPAL AND HAVE BEEN ASSURED, ALL WILL STILL BE MINE WHEN THIS IS DONE. HE IS AN AMAZING SUPPORTER OF OUR PROGRAM! I HAVE ABOUT 200 KIDS INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR PRODUCTIONS, FROM POSTER DESIGN, SET DESIGN, COSTUME DESIGN, MAKEUP AND HAIR, LIGHTING AND SOUND ETC. I HAVE OTHER TEACHERS WHO ARE PAID A STIPEND TO ASSIST, SO I HAVE A TEAM THAT INCLUDES ME (DIRECTOR AND TECH DIRECTOR), COSTUMER, CHOREOGRAPHER AND ASSISTANT(FOR MUSICALS) VOCAL DIRECTOR, ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS (2), AND VARIOUS OTHER TEACHERS WHO ALWAYS WANT TO HELP! I WORK IN AN AMAZING PLACE.
5. For costumes, we...
a. purchase costumes or cloth and make it (or buy from thrift stores, etc.) WE MOSTLY BUILD ALL OUR SHOWS, BUT WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE STOCK, WE OFTEN PULL AND ALTER. WE RECYCLE EVERYTHING, AND PROVIDE EVERYTHING FOR EACH ACTOR INCLUDING SHOES. OUR SHOWS ARE ALL AFTER SCHOOL AND THERE IS NO FEE TO PARTICIPATE.
b. rent our costumes. WE DO SOMETIMES RENT THINGS, LIKE THE ANIMALS FOR PETER PAN, BUT MIDDLE SCHOOL SIZES ARE NOT OFTEN AVAILABLE TO US.
Any other ideas or suggestions you have would be appreciated.
I KNOW THIS AMOUNT OF SPACE IS A LOT, AND CENTRAL OFFICE IS ALWAYS ASKING US TO CLEAN THINGS OUT, (BECAUSE IT OFTEN LOOKS LIKE JUNK), BUT WHEN IT'S USED IN A SHOW, IT'S A MAJOR NECESSITY. SINCE I HAVE LOTS OF ADMIN AND PARENT SUPPORT, I GET AWAY WITH THINGS LIKE TAKING OVER CLOSETS AND KEEPING THINGS THAT OTHERS WOULD TRASH.
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU IN YOUR TASK. IF I HAD TO CUT DOWN, I WOULD CONSOLIDATE PAINT/TOOLS WITH LUMBER AND STORAGE. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT, BUT WE COULD MAKE IT WORK. HOPEFULLY I WON'T HAVE TO.
GOOD LUCK! (And I apologize for all caps, but thought it would be easier for you to read)
Ron Wells
Lawton C Johnson Summit Middle School
Summit, NJ
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Ron Wells
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-22-2014 14:46
From: Kathy Cox
Subject: Storage Needs for Middle School Theatre
How Much storage do you use in your middle school theatre? How much storage do you use for your props & costumes. They did not ask about set pieces.
I have been tasked to give our county a suggestion for storage space for new middle schools that are built.
My school is not typical so it is hard to come up with a typical amount of storage space that is needed.
I could use any feedback on this. I have some guideline questions below to make it simple.
1.I would describe my program as:
I PRODUCE A FALL SHOW (NON MUSICAL) AND A SPRING MUSICAL EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION, WE RUN A DRAMA CLUB FOR FIELD TRIPS, GUEST SPEAKERS, ETC. ALL THRU THE YEAR
b. A combination of a class or 2 of theatre with an after school program. I TEACH 5 PERIODS A DAY, DRAMA GRADE 6 & 7 (TWO CLASSES EACH-REQUIRED FOR EACH KID), AND ONE 8TH GRADE ADVANCED CLASS CALLED "GLEE" (GLOBAL LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE), WHERE THE STUDENTS WRITE THEIR OWN MUSICALS FOR THE ENTIRE QUARTER.(THIS IS AN ELECTIVE - AND THE MOST POPULAR ONE)
2. We have JUST OVER 1000 students in my school. (Exact number not needed, approximate) 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, FAIRLY EQUALLY SPLIT
3. For storage at my school, I have... TWO LARGE ROOMS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE STAGE. EACH IS ABOUT 20 FEET X 20 FEET OR SO WITH 30 FOOT CIELINGS. ONE IS OUR TOOL AND PAINT ROOM. THE OTHER SIDE IS LUMBER, FLATS, LARGE PROPS AND FURNITURE.
I ALSO HAVE A LARGER STOREROOM BEHIND OUR GYM - OLD LOCKER ROOMS, WHERE WE STORE STEP UNITS, PLATFORMS, SCAFFOLDING, THEATER SEATS, AND OTHER MISC BIG THINGS.
OUR STAGE HAS A STAIRWAY LEFT AND RIGHT THAT LEADS TO ORIGINAL DRESSING ROOMS. ABOUT 10 X 8 WITH SLANTED CIELINGS. THESE ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR BOYS AND GIRLS DRESSING ROOMS, SO ONE HAS BECOME OUR LIGHTING STORAGE ROOM, AND THE OTHER IS FILLED WITH PROPS.
THE OLD TOWER ROOM ABOVE MY CLASSROOM CAN NO LONGER BE USED AS A TEACHING SPACE (ITS ON THE 3RD FLOOR WITH NO FIRE ESCAPE), SO IT HAS BECOME MY COSTUME STORAGE ROOM. I HUNG CHAINS AND LARGE PIPES FROM THE RAFTERS AND WE HANG ABOUT 4000 COSTUMES THERE. IT'S ABOUT 40 X 40 WITH 30 FOOT CEILINGS. WITH HATS, ACCESSORIES, AND SHOES, ITS FULL TO THE BRIM!
I HAVE TAKEN OVER THE OLD MOVIE BOOTH IN THE BACK OF THE THEATRE AND USE IT FOR STORAGE OF SODA (FOR CONCESSIONS), AND OTHER, MORE VALUABLE PROPS (SWORDS, CRYSTAL BALL, SOME REALLY EXPENSIVE COSTUME PIECES ETC.) IT'S SMALL, BUT RIGHT NEAR MY CLASSROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR - ABOUT 6 X 8 FEET
EVERYTHING WE ARE KEEPING (AS I SAID, WE ARE CLEANING HOUSE AND THROWING AWAY A LOT OF STUFF - MOSTLY OLD FLATS, BROKEN PIECES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED IF NEEDED, ETC. NOW THAT THEY ARE GONE, I AM SURE I WILL NEED THEM!) IS BEING STORED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE SCHOOL. IT'S DARK, A BIT MUSTY - BUT THEY ASSURE ME - DRY-. I GUESS I'LL SEE IN A YEAR WHEN WE BRING IT ALL BACK UP! (COSTUMES ARE STAYING PUT, JUST PULLED TO ONE SIDE OF THE TOWER AND TARPED OVER BIG TIME!)
4. My storage is...
a. Not enough -- IT IS NEVER ENOUGH, AND MY BIG WORRY WAS DURING THIS RENOVATION OF THE THEATER, THAT I WOULD LOSE SOME TO SPORTS GROUPS, OR OTHER SCHOOL GROUPS. I CONFRONTED THE PRINCIPAL AND HAVE BEEN ASSURED, ALL WILL STILL BE MINE WHEN THIS IS DONE. HE IS AN AMAZING SUPPORTER OF OUR PROGRAM! I HAVE ABOUT 200 KIDS INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR PRODUCTIONS, FROM POSTER DESIGN, SET DESIGN, COSTUME DESIGN, MAKEUP AND HAIR, LIGHTING AND SOUND ETC. I HAVE OTHER TEACHERS WHO ARE PAID A STIPEND TO ASSIST, SO I HAVE A TEAM THAT INCLUDES ME (DIRECTOR AND TECH DIRECTOR), COSTUMER, CHOREOGRAPHER AND ASSISTANT(FOR MUSICALS) VOCAL DIRECTOR, ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS (2), AND VARIOUS OTHER TEACHERS WHO ALWAYS WANT TO HELP! I WORK IN AN AMAZING PLACE.
5. For costumes, we...
a. purchase costumes or cloth and make it (or buy from thrift stores, etc.) WE MOSTLY BUILD ALL OUR SHOWS, BUT WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE STOCK, WE OFTEN PULL AND ALTER. WE RECYCLE EVERYTHING, AND PROVIDE EVERYTHING FOR EACH ACTOR INCLUDING SHOES. OUR SHOWS ARE ALL AFTER SCHOOL AND THERE IS NO FEE TO PARTICIPATE.
b. rent our costumes. WE DO SOMETIMES RENT THINGS, LIKE THE ANIMALS FOR PETER PAN, BUT MIDDLE SCHOOL SIZES ARE NOT OFTEN AVAILABLE TO US.
Any other ideas or suggestions you have would be appreciated.
I KNOW THIS AMOUNT OF SPACE IS A LOT, AND CENTRAL OFFICE IS ALWAYS ASKING US TO CLEAN THINGS OUT, (BECAUSE IT OFTEN LOOKS LIKE JUNK), BUT WHEN IT'S USED IN A SHOW, IT'S A MAJOR NECESSITY. SINCE I HAVE LOTS OF ADMIN AND PARENT SUPPORT, I GET AWAY WITH THINGS LIKE TAKING OVER CLOSETS AND KEEPING THINGS THAT OTHERS WOULD TRASH.
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU IN YOUR TASK. IF I HAD TO CUT DOWN, I WOULD CONSOLIDATE PAINT/TOOLS WITH LUMBER AND STORAGE. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT, BUT WE COULD MAKE IT WORK. HOPEFULLY I WON'T HAVE TO.
GOOD LUCK! (And I apologize for all caps, but thought it would be easier for you to read)
Ron Wells
Lawton C Johnson Summit Middle School
Summit, NJ