Cue3Go!

Issue 12, 2023

Techie Tip of the Week

REP PLOT

When I first arrived at one theatre I managed, one performing arts teacher complained to me that another performing arts teacher was always leaving the lighting system set up one way, and that teacher complained to me that the other teacher was always leaving the lighting system set up another way.  The third performing arts teacher stayed out of the fray because she didn’t know how to operate the lighting system at all and would rely on the others to set it up and run it for her.

Although every event that comes into a theatre is unique, there are some general systems you can have in place. There is a way to provide a lighting system that can easily be applied to many uses of the space with only small adjustments that need to be made for specific requirements of a show or event.  This is called a Rep Plot (short for Repertory Plot). 

A Rep Plot is a standardized lighting system, which is versatile for almost all performances, from plays and musicals, to concerts and ballets, to speakers and videos, and allows for show-specific flexibility within a reasonable time frame.  If your budget allows, be sure your rep plot is as extensive as possible, if not, choose as best you can from this list:

For step-by-step hang, circuit and focus instructions check out the

High School Theatre Lighting Rep Plot.

This editorial is the express opinion of Beth Rand, and is not intended for substitution for professional advice regarding your specific situation or circumstances.

Leveling Up

Online courses for school theatre teachers and staff

to find out more about the courses please visit:

Theatre Management Training Course

Theatre Management Tutorials

Lighting and Safety Courses

Safety Webinar for Students

Dear Techie,

We are currently renovating our theatre. In order to meet codes, we must have smoke detectors in the HVAC duct work. We are afraid that these will detect the fog and hazers that we like to use in our productions. Do you have any solutions to avoid having to turn them off and pay for a firefighter to watch when they are off? ! Thanks!

Foggy in MA

Dear Foggy,

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this issue is coming up more and more in the newly constructed high school theatres that I’ve worked in, and administrators aren’t that keen on shutting down the smoke detectors for plays.  In the last 3 theatres I managed we simply had a No Fog Machine policy.

All is not lost though – we did allow ground fog (mostly dry ice).  You can find a suggestion for policy wording in the High School Theatre Safety Manual book, but in short, here it is (feel free to appropriate):

Fog Machine Policy

Most smoke detectors are designed to measure particles in the air and risk being set off if the smoke level from a fog machine gets too high on stage. Therefore, smoke machines and hazers are not permitted in the theatre.

Dry ice and ground fog may be safe as they tend to gravitate downwards, but if you chose to use dry ice and/or ground fog, you do so at your show’s own peril.  If they set off the fire alarm, the theatre must be completely evacuated (performers, crew, staff and audience), and permission must be given by the Fire Department before anyone can re-enter the building.  In that case, your show will most likely be shut down for the remainder of that performance.

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It is PRESETT's mission to provide information to assist in endeavors for safe and functional operations of school theatres. However, PRESETT is not a safety consultant or professional, and any information provided or advocated is not intended to supplement, not supersede, industry safety training. Always consult a theatre safety specialist about your specific situation or circumstances.