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  • 1.  Educational Theatre space vs Outside Rental = shared space

    Posted 29 days ago
    I am looking for information about the shared use of high school theatres with outside organizations. If your school has this situation, any information on how the high school theatre program coexists with the outside rentals would be appreciated. Our district is "repurposing" the High School theatre to commercial/renter use. Currently, they are requesting all of the space traditionally used for the educational theatre program to be emptied to be used for renters.
     
    Here are some of the questions that I have:
    • Do you have dedicated storage in the theatre complex? If so, what space is dedicated to the educational program use?
    • Do you have dedicated storage for renters? If so, what space is dedicated to commercial use?
    • Do you teach classes or rehearse in the theatre, or do you have a space for classes/rehearsals?
    • Is your theatre designated as an Equity theatre?
    The Theatre program space to be reallocated to district use includes the following space. The proposal requires all educational theatre materials to be relocated to storage outside of the building in sheds that have no electricity, no lights, no temperature control, and are located over 2.5 football fields from the theatre.
    • Prop storage
    • costume storage
    • set decor and furniture
    • stock scenery

    Thank you for any clarification on how schools and renters coexist! The more positive clarity I can present to our district on how schools around the nation share the theatre space with renters, the better I can protect the theatre program and the resources that support the students and their productions.



    ------------------------------
    Jeannie Brzovic
    teacher
    Mountlake Terrace High School
    WA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Educational Theatre space vs Outside Rental = shared space

    Posted 28 days ago

    Hi Jeannie,

    I am a retired high school Theatre Manager (Snohomish SD and Issaquah SD).  These days high school theatres are run more like road houses, with the school events being just another event in the line up.  We had about 100 events a year in the high schools I managed (for 7 years total).  It's a full time job to manage all of that, and not something they should add to your already full plate.  If they want to do that, then they should be hiring a Theatre Manager, and preferably technicians too (although student technicians can also be hired).  I have lots of free resources for you on my website presett.org, plus my book High School Theatre Operations will guide you through the process.

    All the best, 

    Lyz



    ------------------------------
    Lyz Rand, EBMS

    Lighting Designer:
    StageDoor Theatre, Conifer CO
    The Venue Theatre, Conifer CO
    www.LightLadyDesign.com

    Cruise Ship Theatre Career Consultant:
    www.CruiseTechies.com

    Land Lubber Advisor:
    www.PRESETT.org
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Educational Theatre space vs Outside Rental = shared space

    Posted 28 days ago

    Hi Lyz

    The district has hired a new Theatre Manager. They do not have experience in Education or Educational Theatre. The problem I am having is that the district office people admit they don't know anything about how theatre works. They want to create a for-profit theatre in my school. The Theatre Manager they have hired has the goal of converting the high school theatre into an Equity house. The TM has advised the district that all of the space that supports the materials and supplies needs to be displaced to create storage for renters. They also want to convert the prop room into a district theatre staff lounge, and have requested I remove all of my props the week before my spring musical opens. 

    I need examples of how educational theatre programs ARE able to coexist with rental clients. The argument that the school theatre and spaces should be prioritized for the educational program has fallen on deaf ears. I need examples to counter the advice they are getting from the person the resently hired as the Theater Manager. 

    Any help you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated. You are actually only a quick drive on the I-5 from my district :) If you want to continue a conversation you are very welcome to email me at: brzovicj@edmonds.wednet.edu

    I will be checking out your website!!!



    ------------------------------
    Jeannie Brzovic
    teacher
    Mountlake Terrace High School
    WA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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