Open Forum

Greetings fellow Drama Teachers,

Recently, our temporary men's dressing room (which was also the English dept. bookroom) located directly across from the theater was reallocated as a new SPED office and the old SPED office (a few hallways away) is to be our new dressing room.  While this at first seemed problematic, presenting numerous logistical challenges, subsequent talks with my principal have lead to a wonderful opportunity to create a scene shop & actual dressing rooms.

I am tasked with the challenge of designing this new space and while I'm confident that I can provide proper specs, I am at a loss as to what's standard, acceptable, and realistic in terms of space, equipment, and within code.

When our space was built, they put a great deal of money into our sound, lighting, and house--and I'm very blessed to have such a beautiful space.  Our stage is equally handsome but there is no wing space.  Behind the stage is what they call our "Greenroom" but it's not really.  Presently, it's a storage room for small props and a rack of costumes.  It's 28x28 with a 6 1/2' by 5' area reserved for a hydraulic system.  That gives me about 750 square feet to play with for a brand new scene shop.  If you have a scene shop, what are the essentials?  If you don't have a scene shop and you were tasked with designing one, what are your MUST HAVES?  Anyone know where I can find the Tennessee codes for a high school scenic design shop?

Now, on to the dressing rooms.  So, I've again been blessed in that my principal believes in our program and I have been granted a few rooms for storage, including an outdoor semi-trailer for our flats and large set pieces.  I also have what we currently call our "costume room" that doubles as our ladies dressing room.  It's an oddly shaped room, curved along one wall but the dimensions I'm working with are roughly 700 square feet.  I need to figure out how to put in two dressing rooms and a storage area for costumes but we can only put in cubicle style walls as we're not allowed to go ceiling to floor.

My question about dressing rooms is the same as the scene shop:  If you have them, how big are they, what are the essentials.  If you don't have dressing rooms, what are the MUST HAVES?  

Our cast sizes are rarely over 40 and predominantly female.  I'd love any and all suggestions you might have.  I'm happy to provide additional details upon request.  And yes, there is some immediacy to this as the move of offices has already begun--I basically have the summer to submit a design, gut both rooms and have the new equipment & walls installed before our fall show in November.

Thank you all,
Aaron

------------------------------
Aaron Miller
Media & Theatre Arts
Troupe #1523 Director
Manchester TN
------------------------------

Our dressing rooms, not counting the bathroom, are about 12x17, with a little alcove for the door going to the stage.

I think the main must have is as much counter space with mirrors as possible - at least 2 ft deep so there is plenty of room for make up and other stuff.  Cubbyholes might be nice for actors to put their things in.

------------------------------
Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/

Theater kills ignorance
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-22-2019 11:17
From: Aaron Miller
Subject: Building a Scene Shop & Dressing Rooms

Greetings fellow Drama Teachers,

Recently, our temporary men's dressing room (which was also the English dept. bookroom) located directly across from the theater was reallocated as a new SPED office and the old SPED office (a few hallways away) is to be our new dressing room.  While this at first seemed problematic, presenting numerous logistical challenges, subsequent talks with my principal have lead to a wonderful opportunity to create a scene shop & actual dressing rooms.

I am tasked with the challenge of designing this new space and while I'm confident that I can provide proper specs, I am at a loss as to what's standard, acceptable, and realistic in terms of space, equipment, and within code.

When our space was built, they put a great deal of money into our sound, lighting, and house--and I'm very blessed to have such a beautiful space.  Our stage is equally handsome but there is no wing space.  Behind the stage is what they call our "Greenroom" but it's not really.  Presently, it's a storage room for small props and a rack of costumes.  It's 28x28 with a 6 1/2' by 5' area reserved for a hydraulic system.  That gives me about 750 square feet to play with for a brand new scene shop.  If you have a scene shop, what are the essentials?  If you don't have a scene shop and you were tasked with designing one, what are your MUST HAVES?  Anyone know where I can find the Tennessee codes for a high school scenic design shop?

Now, on to the dressing rooms.  So, I've again been blessed in that my principal believes in our program and I have been granted a few rooms for storage, including an outdoor semi-trailer for our flats and large set pieces.  I also have what we currently call our "costume room" that doubles as our ladies dressing room.  It's an oddly shaped room, curved along one wall but the dimensions I'm working with are roughly 700 square feet.  I need to figure out how to put in two dressing rooms and a storage area for costumes but we can only put in cubicle style walls as we're not allowed to go ceiling to floor.

My question about dressing rooms is the same as the scene shop:  If you have them, how big are they, what are the essentials.  If you don't have dressing rooms, what are the MUST HAVES?

Our cast sizes are rarely over 40 and predominantly female.  I'd love any and all suggestions you might have.  I'm happy to provide additional details upon request.  And yes, there is some immediacy to this as the move of offices has already begun--I basically have the summer to submit a design, gut both rooms and have the new equipment & walls installed before our fall show in November.

Thank you all,
Aaron

------------------------------
Aaron Miller
Media & Theatre Arts
Troupe #1523 Director
Manchester TN
------------------------------

I served on an EdTA webinar about a month ago, and the topic of setting up a scene shop came up. Although we did talk about tools and safety, the main suggestion I made was to go look at other scene shops, talk to their staffs, and see what works and what doesn't. Other high schools, colleges, and amateur or professional theaters may have them, and TDs or master carpenters are usually happy to talk about their shops.

------------------------------
George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
www.georgefledo.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-22-2019 12:01
From: Kenneth Buswell
Subject: Building a Scene Shop & Dressing Rooms

Our dressing rooms, not counting the bathroom, are about 12x17, with a little alcove for the door going to the stage.

I think the main must have is as much counter space with mirrors as possible - at least 2 ft deep so there is plenty of room for make up and other stuff.  Cubbyholes might be nice for actors to put their things in.

------------------------------
Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/

Theater kills ignorance

Original Message:
Sent: 05-22-2019 11:17
From: Aaron Miller
Subject: Building a Scene Shop & Dressing Rooms

Greetings fellow Drama Teachers,

Recently, our temporary men's dressing room (which was also the English dept. bookroom) located directly across from the theater was reallocated as a new SPED office and the old SPED office (a few hallways away) is to be our new dressing room.  While this at first seemed problematic, presenting numerous logistical challenges, subsequent talks with my principal have lead to a wonderful opportunity to create a scene shop & actual dressing rooms.

I am tasked with the challenge of designing this new space and while I'm confident that I can provide proper specs, I am at a loss as to what's standard, acceptable, and realistic in terms of space, equipment, and within code.

When our space was built, they put a great deal of money into our sound, lighting, and house--and I'm very blessed to have such a beautiful space.  Our stage is equally handsome but there is no wing space.  Behind the stage is what they call our "Greenroom" but it's not really.  Presently, it's a storage room for small props and a rack of costumes.  It's 28x28 with a 6 1/2' by 5' area reserved for a hydraulic system.  That gives me about 750 square feet to play with for a brand new scene shop.  If you have a scene shop, what are the essentials?  If you don't have a scene shop and you were tasked with designing one, what are your MUST HAVES?  Anyone know where I can find the Tennessee codes for a high school scenic design shop?

Now, on to the dressing rooms.  So, I've again been blessed in that my principal believes in our program and I have been granted a few rooms for storage, including an outdoor semi-trailer for our flats and large set pieces.  I also have what we currently call our "costume room" that doubles as our ladies dressing room.  It's an oddly shaped room, curved along one wall but the dimensions I'm working with are roughly 700 square feet.  I need to figure out how to put in two dressing rooms and a storage area for costumes but we can only put in cubicle style walls as we're not allowed to go ceiling to floor.

My question about dressing rooms is the same as the scene shop:  If you have them, how big are they, what are the essentials.  If you don't have dressing rooms, what are the MUST HAVES?

Our cast sizes are rarely over 40 and predominantly female.  I'd love any and all suggestions you might have.  I'm happy to provide additional details upon request.  And yes, there is some immediacy to this as the move of offices has already begun--I basically have the summer to submit a design, gut both rooms and have the new equipment & walls installed before our fall show in November.

Thank you all,
Aaron

------------------------------
Aaron Miller
Media & Theatre Arts
Troupe #1523 Director
Manchester TN
------------------------------

One thing you might consider for dressing rooms is having a larger space for makeup and such, but smaller individual changing rooms. With the awareness of gender identities, it might make all feel more comfortable. I’m not sure how you might work in your space, but it’s a thought.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Greetings fellow Drama Teachers,

Recently, our temporary men's dressing room (which was also the English dept. bookroom) located directly across from the theater was reallocated as a new SPED office and the old SPED office (a few hallways away) is to be our new dressing room.  While this at first seemed problematic, presenting numerous logistical challenges, subsequent talks with my principal have lead to a wonderful opportunity to create a scene shop & actual dressing rooms.

I am tasked with the challenge of designing this new space and while I'm confident that I can provide proper specs, I am at a loss as to what's standard, acceptable, and realistic in terms of space, equipment, and within code.

When our space was built, they put a great deal of money into our sound, lighting, and house--and I'm very blessed to have such a beautiful space.  Our stage is equally handsome but there is no wing space.  Behind the stage is what they call our "Greenroom" but it's not really.  Presently, it's a storage room for small props and a rack of costumes.  It's 28x28 with a 6 1/2' by 5' area reserved for a hydraulic system.  That gives me about 750 square feet to play with for a brand new scene shop.  If you have a scene shop, what are the essentials?  If you don't have a scene shop and you were tasked with designing one, what are your MUST HAVES?  Anyone know where I can find the Tennessee codes for a high school scenic design shop?

Now, on to the dressing rooms.  So, I've again been blessed in that my principal believes in our program and I have been granted a few rooms for storage, including an outdoor semi-trailer for our flats and large set pieces.  I also have what we currently call our "costume room" that doubles as our ladies dressing room.  It's an oddly shaped room, curved along one wall but the dimensions I'm working with are roughly 700 square feet.  I need to figure out how to put in two dressing rooms and a storage area for costumes but we can only put in cubicle style walls as we're not allowed to go ceiling to floor.

My question about dressing rooms is the same as the scene shop:  If you have them, how big are they, what are the essentials.  If you don't have dressing rooms, what are the MUST HAVES?  

Our cast sizes are rarely over 40 and predominantly female.  I'd love any and all suggestions you might have.  I'm happy to provide additional details upon request.  And yes, there is some immediacy to this as the move of offices has already begun--I basically have the summer to submit a design, gut both rooms and have the new equipment & walls installed before our fall show in November.

Thank you all,
Aaron

------------------------------
Aaron Miller
Media & Theatre Arts
Troupe #1523 Director
Manchester TN
------------------------------

Original Message------

Greetings fellow Drama Teachers,

Recently, our temporary men's dressing room (which was also the English dept. bookroom) located directly across from the theater was reallocated as a new SPED office and the old SPED office (a few hallways away) is to be our new dressing room.  While this at first seemed problematic, presenting numerous logistical challenges, subsequent talks with my principal have lead to a wonderful opportunity to create a scene shop & actual dressing rooms.

I am tasked with the challenge of designing this new space and while I'm confident that I can provide proper specs, I am at a loss as to what's standard, acceptable, and realistic in terms of space, equipment, and within code.

When our space was built, they put a great deal of money into our sound, lighting, and house--and I'm very blessed to have such a beautiful space.  Our stage is equally handsome but there is no wing space.  Behind the stage is what they call our "Greenroom" but it's not really.  Presently, it's a storage room for small props and a rack of costumes.  It's 28x28 with a 6 1/2' by 5' area reserved for a hydraulic system.  That gives me about 750 square feet to play with for a brand new scene shop.  If you have a scene shop, what are the essentials?  If you don't have a scene shop and you were tasked with designing one, what are your MUST HAVES?  Anyone know where I can find the Tennessee codes for a high school scenic design shop?

Now, on to the dressing rooms.  So, I've again been blessed in that my principal believes in our program and I have been granted a few rooms for storage, including an outdoor semi-trailer for our flats and large set pieces.  I also have what we currently call our "costume room" that doubles as our ladies dressing room.  It's an oddly shaped room, curved along one wall but the dimensions I'm working with are roughly 700 square feet.  I need to figure out how to put in two dressing rooms and a storage area for costumes but we can only put in cubicle style walls as we're not allowed to go ceiling to floor.

My question about dressing rooms is the same as the scene shop:  If you have them, how big are they, what are the essentials.  If you don't have dressing rooms, what are the MUST HAVES?  

Our cast sizes are rarely over 40 and predominantly female.  I'd love any and all suggestions you might have.  I'm happy to provide additional details upon request.  And yes, there is some immediacy to this as the move of offices has already begun--I basically have the summer to submit a design, gut both rooms and have the new equipment & walls installed before our fall show in November.

Thank you all,
Aaron

------------------------------
Aaron Miller
Media & Theatre Arts
Troupe #1523 Director
Manchester TN
------------------------------

You wrote: "while I'm confident that I can provide proper specs, I am at a loss as to what's standard, acceptable, and realistic in terms of space, equipment, and within code."

These are fairly contradictory statements.  The design of these spaces have many requirements that you have not addressed, and will probably require an Architect to certify the plans for bidding and construction (required under state construction law).  This is not to say an Architect knows anything about theatre or dressing rooms (they don't), but they do know building codes and ADA requirements.  They will employ electrical, mechanical (HVAC & plumbing), and fire protection engineers who also know nothing about theatre.  A Theatre Consultant can guide the Architect and engineers to layout the space, advise on make-up counters, make-up mirrors, dressing mirrors, power, dust collection systems, illumination, surface colors and finishes, plumbing, ventilation, and the many other details related to making these functional spaces so they are suitable for your work.  A Theatre Consultant has seen thousands of theatres in their career and can advise the design team and you about what works and what doesn't.

Having clear drawings and specifications for all of this will facilitate the suscessful contractor (typically the low bidder, or also known as the 'first looser') in getting it right, rather than 'doing what we have always done' and leaving you to suffer.  Your task as an owner's representative is to create the wish list of features so they design team can best realize them.

Please feel free to reach-out to me if we can be of assistance.

------------------------------
Erich Friend
Theatre Consultant
Teqniqal Systems
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-22-2019 11:17
From: Aaron Miller
Subject: Building a Scene Shop & Dressing Rooms

Greetings fellow Drama Teachers,

Recently, our temporary men's dressing room (which was also the English dept. bookroom) located directly across from the theater was reallocated as a new SPED office and the old SPED office (a few hallways away) is to be our new dressing room.  While this at first seemed problematic, presenting numerous logistical challenges, subsequent talks with my principal have lead to a wonderful opportunity to create a scene shop & actual dressing rooms.

I am tasked with the challenge of designing this new space and while I'm confident that I can provide proper specs, I am at a loss as to what's standard, acceptable, and realistic in terms of space, equipment, and within code.

When our space was built, they put a great deal of money into our sound, lighting, and house--and I'm very blessed to have such a beautiful space.  Our stage is equally handsome but there is no wing space.  Behind the stage is what they call our "Greenroom" but it's not really.  Presently, it's a storage room for small props and a rack of costumes.  It's 28x28 with a 6 1/2' by 5' area reserved for a hydraulic system.  That gives me about 750 square feet to play with for a brand new scene shop.  If you have a scene shop, what are the essentials?  If you don't have a scene shop and you were tasked with designing one, what are your MUST HAVES?  Anyone know where I can find the Tennessee codes for a high school scenic design shop?

Now, on to the dressing rooms.  So, I've again been blessed in that my principal believes in our program and I have been granted a few rooms for storage, including an outdoor semi-trailer for our flats and large set pieces.  I also have what we currently call our "costume room" that doubles as our ladies dressing room.  It's an oddly shaped room, curved along one wall but the dimensions I'm working with are roughly 700 square feet.  I need to figure out how to put in two dressing rooms and a storage area for costumes but we can only put in cubicle style walls as we're not allowed to go ceiling to floor.

My question about dressing rooms is the same as the scene shop:  If you have them, how big are they, what are the essentials.  If you don't have dressing rooms, what are the MUST HAVES?

Our cast sizes are rarely over 40 and predominantly female.  I'd love any and all suggestions you might have.  I'm happy to provide additional details upon request.  And yes, there is some immediacy to this as the move of offices has already begun--I basically have the summer to submit a design, gut both rooms and have the new equipment & walls installed before our fall show in November.

Thank you all,
Aaron

------------------------------
Aaron Miller
Media & Theatre Arts
Troupe #1523 Director
Manchester TN
------------------------------