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  • 1.  Stage Rules for Shared Space, or "Gymnatorium"

    Posted 07-28-2025 12:09

    I am in my second year of teaching high school drama at a very small rural school district in SW Missouri. Our stage is in our gymnasium. As you can imagine, this creates all sorts of interesting issues. Our school is very sports-centric, and for the past few years, the coaches have allowed their kids to basically trash our stage area with little to no repercussions. The last drama teacher was very meek and afraid to speak up for her students and their space. I am not! Last year, I did a Donors Choose project and obtained items for a "Cleanup Station" to be located backstage. This did help somewhat, but not enough. I want to create a list of "Stage Rules" to post in a number of locations, and I have the go ahead from my Principal and Assistant Principal, who is also the Athletic Director. I'm fighting to rebuild our department, and grow respect for what we do. Ideally, I want these guidelines to come across as firm, but not petty or spiteful. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions from the professionals in this forum. My goals are to help build awareness and respect for our department among the students and coaches, as well as help them understand that the stage is not only our classroom, but also a reflection of our school. 

    Thank you!

    Mia Nokes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Theatre and Special Education Teacher                                                                                                                                                                                                            East Newton High School                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Granby, MO



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    Mia Nokes
    Theatre & Speech
    East Newton High School
    East Newton R-VI Schools
    Granby, MO
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  • 2.  RE: Stage Rules for Shared Space, or "Gymnatorium"

    Posted 07-31-2025 07:56
    Hi Mia,
     
    A stage is a stage, no matter how small… (And, no matter who uses it!).
     
    It's really important to have rules for all users, regardless of the reason of their use, and I'm glad to hear that you admin is on board!
     
    And, while I advocate for safety notices posted EVERYWHERE(!), keep in mind that most people don't read signs and notices.  Sometimes they can be more for CYA purposes – if something does happen, then you can say "I did have a sign posted not to do that"! 
    My suggestion – as well as posting signs/notices – is to send a copies to any teacher/staff that uses the stage (for any reason) and ask them to read it out to their students (every year will be necessary).  If that can be sent out from the admin, all the better!
     
    I'm attaching a few notices for you to use.  They are, Theatre Etiquette for:
     
    Non-Performance Use
    Student Crew
    Events
    Workshops (you may not have a scene shop, but this applies to any backstage space)
     
    Note that they're titled Theatre Etiquette, not "Safety Rules" – which portrays firmness without pettiness.  Stage rules apply to ALL users, you're not singling out any person/group/class.
     
    These will be overkill for your space, but I've left them in Word, so that you can tweak them to suit your situation.  
     
    Note that the first year you implement 'safety rules' that there will be push back, especially from teachers who have been used to having free roam of the space, but persevere, and by the second year this will become more standard protocol.
     
    All the best, 
     
    Lyz


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    Lyz Rand, EBMS

    Lighting Designer:
    StageDoor Theatre, Conifer CO

    Cruise Ship Theatre Career Consultant:
    www.CruiseTechies.com

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

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Stage Rules for Shared Space, or "Gymnatorium"

    Posted 07-31-2025 12:21

    Liz, 

    Hello! Thank you so much for your response! I will definitely make use of the resources you so graciously shared. I plan to send out an email to teachers and coaches once I get the guidelines tweaked and polished. Fortunately, the one coach who was the worst about respecting our area (and our program as a whole!) has moved on to another school. I started with baby steps last year, and had fairly good feedback, so I'm hoping to see even more improvement this year. I also plan to utilize the materials you shared in putting together my cast and tech manuals. Thank you again for your help! 



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    Mia Nokes
    Theatre & Speech
    East Newton High School
    East Newton R-VI Schools
    Granby, MO
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Stage Rules for Shared Space, or "Gymnatorium"

    Posted 07-31-2025 17:05
    Hi Mia,

    Thanks so much for your message!

    There's always one, isn't there!  I remember a band teacher (not even a coach, so he should have known better) who was notorious for leaving the theatre doors unlocked.  When I started there as their new Theatre Manager we found student lunch wrappers up in the catwalks, and a certain latex object in the orchestra pit along with a pair of boy's underwear!  He never did get any better.  Oh well...  

    Again, best of luck, and please let me know if I can be of any further help.

    Kind regards, and





    Original Message


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