Cue3Go!

Issue 26, 2023

Techie Tip of the Week

TO STAFF OR NOT TO STAFF

To staff or not to staff, that is the question that many school districts that have new or remodeled theatres on their high school campuses ask themselves today.  Whether ‘tis nobler to hire a Theatre Manager and technicians, or whether the Drama teacher can just run the theatre, the student crew can just work the school shows, and the outside events can just use the theatre on their own – that is the question.  

Many school districts only consider the financial aspects regarding the decision of whether to hire professional theatre staff.  It may be up to you to help your admin learn about the importance of a Theatre Manager.  There are some important things to consider when deciding whether to hire a professional Theatre Manager and technicians or whether to run your theatre with existing district personnel.  Before your admin makes that decision, a careful assessment must be made.  Some questions for your admin to consider are:

Is your school theatre being run like a “roadhouse” – that is; many different events (school, district and/or outside) use your theatre every year.

Is your school staff comfortable with and knowledgeable about your theatre’s technical operation for all of these events?

Is your school staff highly qualified to teach technical theatre?

Is your school staff familiar enough with the theatrical process to make scheduling decisions?

Is there a vocational training program for technical students?

Is your theatre ergonomically functional?

Are written operational policies and procedures in place that are strictly enforced?

Is your theatre being used to its full potential?

Is your theatre self-sustaining?

Is learning enhanced through your theatre operations?

Are there written safety policies and procedures in place that are strictly enforced?

Is your theatre protected from liabilities and lawsuits?

If you can answer yes to ALL of the above, then your admin doesn’t need to hire a Theatre Manager/TD and technicians, and you, the Drama teacher, can just continue to run all of your high school theatre operations.  (!!!)

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

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DO YOU HAVE TO MANAGE YOUR THEATRE'S OPERATIONS AS WELL AS TEACH!?

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Dear Techie,

I teach in a rural district's only high school. After a windfall of financial resources entered the county, an embarrassment of wealth has been a constant over the past four years. We now have robust instrumental music and choral music departments, both which are continuously successful on the state and national levels. However, the budget has allowed no room for a theatre program.

Currently, our auditorium renovations are nearing completion, and in the meantime I have built a robust curriculum for the theatre class. However, my main duties at the school are teaching four other subjects. 

Plus, I still have no dedicated space for theatre equipment, costumes, make-up, properties, etc. My sets and props storage is a janitor’s closet.  I have had set pieces moved and destroyed by other adults in the building.

After a tense impromptu meeting in the main office with the director of facilities and my principal the other day, I knew that I needed to reach out for help. I can’t do all of this on my own, and I fear it will only get worse once the renovations are complete and more teachers will want to use the theatre for more events. What to do?

Rocky in WV

Dear Rocky,

I can feel your frustration! Sadly, you are not alone.  Before I go on, I’d like to invite you to join our Facebook group for theatre teachers having to manage their theatres, who are in the same boat as you are (or probably will be) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/presett

Because…it sounds like once your auditorium renovations are completed, what you’ll most need is a theatre manager. I can foresee everyone wanting to use the space for their events and it being a free-for-all (from what you’ve mentioned about your admin), unless someone takes over the management of the space. And who is usually called on to manage the auditorium – the theatre teacher.  I would head that one off at the pass!  I have a bunch of free resources to help you communicate to your admin what will be needed and why.  Links are scattered around this newsletter, or go to the home page of the PRESETT website.  Check them out!

Submit your Dear Techie questions to [email protected].  

Seen on gel sample book descriptions:

A sickly green. Great for forest scenes and actors nobody likes.

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Submit your Bad Theatre Joke or Funnies to [email protected].

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.