Chipola College Theatre
Student Academic and Production Handbook
This handbook is supplemental to the Chipola Catalog policies and procedures.
Chipola Theatre
Vision
To become the premier two year institution for Theatre training in the Southeast region.
Mission
To provide exemplary training in theatre arts and to support the cultural enhancement of the local community and surrounding area.
Goals
To develop the theatre program to meet the educational, research, and service needs of the region.
To provide degree and instructional programs to develop theatre artists and practitioners of the highest quality and skill.
To enable graduates of theatre programs to become teachers, to work in professional theatre or theatre related occupations and/or to continue on to a 4 year college or university.
To establish and maintain collaborations with other academic departments and fine and performing arts organizations.
To promote diversity in faculty and student population.
To develop a broad base of donor and patron support for student scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, guest artist residencies, special programming, and facilities improvement.
To serve as cultural resource for Chipola College and the Panhandle region by providing a diverse and inviting season of theatrical events.
Attendance Policy
Theatre is a collaborative art. Attendance and punctuality are paramount to a theatre artist’s successful development. It is a Theatre department policy that a student will have their grade lowered after one absence, unless time is made up with the approval of Director. Three tardies (over 5 minutes total) shall constitute an absence.
Items Theatre Majors and Minors Are Expected to Provide
The following items are required of all theatre majors, but are not supplied by the department. It is the responsibility of their area of concentration.
All Theatre Majors:
Black pants, black tee shirts, black closed toe shoes and black socks for backstage running crew. Neat moderately dress-up clothing and shoes for house management or ushering.
Acting Majors:
Women:
Two (2) rehearsal skirts (one long and one short)
Black leotard
Black character shoes
8 x 10 headshot (black and white) for 2nd year majors
Men:
Rehearsal/scene work sport coat and slacks
Rehearsal/scene work shirt and tie
Black oxford lace shoes
8 x 10 headshot (black and white) for 2nd year majors.
Design/Technical Theatre Majors:
Tool Belt
Steel tape measure (min 12 ft)
Claw hammer
Screw driver
Retractable utility knife
Philips head screw driver
8 in. crescent wrench
Utility plier
8in speed square
Safety shoes
The Department of Theatre’s Facilities:
1. Box office and lobby.
2. Main Stage Theatre
3. Control booth in Main Stage Theatre
Two areas, one for lighting and one for sound control.
4. Basement areas under Main Stage
Trap room, general storage area, orchestra pit.
5. Dressing Rooms
Men’s dressing room, Women’s dressing room. All have restrooms, drawers, counters, and lighted mirrors.
6. Call Board
Located on loading dock door. Notices, audition calls, sign-in sheets, work schedules, costume fittings, opportunities, etc. are posted on the call board. Theatre majors are required to check the call board at least once a day.
7. Costume Storage Room.
Costumes from past productions are stored in Arts Center. Permission to borrow costumes must be obtained from the Director of Theatre.
8. Scene Shop
Scenery and properties are built and painted in the scene shop and loading dock area. Large loading doors on each side of the shop allow scenery to be moved into the Main Stage.
9. Offices
Faculty offices are located in the Fine Arts Department Building.
10. Props Room
Productions
The Department of Theatre provides a production season consisting of at least 3 department-sponsored events from the following: musicals, comedies, dramas, classical, and/or modern plays. Students may propose additional productions to the Director of the Department.
Production Personnel Responsibilities
Director:
1. Provides aesthetic vision for production.
2. Casts the production.
3. Engages designers.
4. Conducts production meetings and rehearsals to realize production.
5. Works within budgets and building policies.
6. Supervises budget.
7. Supervises building use including house management.
8. Coordinates publicity and public relations.
9. Secures licensing for productions.
10. Schedules rehearsal and performance space.
11. Checks out keys to stage manager.
12. Attends production meetings.
Assistant Director:
Scope of duties negotiated with the Director. The Assistant Director may serve as a Stage Manager or the Assistant Stage Manager when the production is in performance.
Set Designer:
1. Designs the set through conferences with Director.
2. Provides ground plan to Technical Director for taping of rehearsal floor before the first rehearsal. Works with the Technical Director to realize set design.
3. Attends production meetings.
Lighting Designer:
1. Designs lighting through conferences with Director and other designers.
2. Provides lighting plot to Technical Director.
3. Works with the Technical Director to realize lighting design.
4. Attends rehearsals to learn lighting needs.
5. Attends production meetings.
Costume Designer:
1. Designs costumes through conferences with Director and other designers.
2. Works with Costume Manager or supervises costume crew to realize costume design.
3. Engages costume crew if there is no Costume Manager.
Properties Master or Mistress:
1. Establish properties list for production with Director’s approval.
2. Acquire props.
3. Design props.
4. Build or supervise building of props for the play.
5. Provide rehearsal props by the second week of rehearsal.
6. Set up prop tables and “run” or assign running crew for props during run-throughs, dress rehearsals and performances.
7. Put props away and return borrowed items after the show is over.
Technical Director:
1. Supervises execution and co-ordination of all technical areas of production including sets, decoration, sound, and properties.
2. Engages technical assistants.
3. Engages running crew.
4. Posts and enforces Shop rules.
5. Acquired set building and painting materials through Director’s budget.
6. Acquires lighting and sound instruments as required.
7. Supervises hanging and running of lighting and sound equipment.
8. Responsible for posting and enforcing safety rules backstage.
9. Organize and supervise strike.
Stage Manager:
Rehearsal period duties are: to assist the director in the organization and execution of rehearsals, to compile and maintain an accurate prompt book of the production, to act as liaison between director and persons in charge of the various departments of production, and to perform clerical duties as required by production.
Performance period duties are: to “run” the performance itself and to organize the cast and crew calls.
The Stage Manager is responsible for the following:
1. Prepare a stage manger’s promptbook. Not in pencil all blocking and stage directions.
2. To provide minutes of production and meeting to director, designers, producer, technical director.
3. Post announcements, and rehearsal calls.
4. Prepare and copy audition sheets with director’s approval.
5. Tape the set design floor plan with approval and assistance of technical director before the first rehearsal.
6. Coordinate acquisition of rehearsal set pieces, props, and costumes with technical director.
7. Clean and set up the rehearsal area before the scheduled call. Strike props, furniture, etc. and sweep floor after rehearsal.
8. Secure all doors before leaving and shut down all lights except those left on for safety.
9. Maintain a roll sheet list for each rehearsal.
10. Post a rehearsal report on the call board following each rehearsal.
11. Make certain that actors are ready for entrances and that no one leaves the rehearsal area without first checking with the stage manager.
12. Announce the following times to curtain in all areas where technicians are required to be: 45 minutes, 30 minutes, 15 minutes, 5 minutes, places, and other calls deemed necessary.
13. Post sign-in sheets for cast and crew.
Technical Assistants/Lab:
1. Build and paint sets with technical director’s supervision.
2. Hand and focus lights with master electrician and/or lighting designer’s/technical director’s supervision.
3. Clean working area each day. (sweet, mop, blow off outside area, etc.)
Props Assistants:
1. Help the props manager in acquiring props.
2. Build props with supervision of props manager.(Props Table)
3. Set props as directed by props manager.
4. Check props before and after show.
5. Assist props master or mistress in storing props.
Costume Assistants:
1. Pull costumes from stock.
2. Build costumes with supervision of costume designer or manager.
3. Do laundry and press costumes if necessary.
4. Assist actors in dressing.
5. Act as dressers during dress rehearsals and performances.
Sound Assistants: Help in creating, recording, and running the sound.
Makeup Head:
1. Under supervision of Costume Designer, design makeup.
2. Assist actors with makeup.
Duties of the House Manager
The front of the house positions are critical to professional productions since these are the people our audience contacts first upon entering the theatre. The House Manager will train the ushers in courteous and polite behavior and will stress these qualities to all persons involved in front of house duties.
1. The house manager will supervise the acquisition of ushers for each performance. Do not depend on only one source for ushers. At least four ushers are needed for each performance, and at least two ushers will need to remain after intermission.
2. The House Manager will maintain an up to date list of front of house personnel including their names and telephone numbers. The exact dates and times of productions as well as a brief synopsis of the production should be provided to ushers prior to opening.
3. Plan a meeting with the ushers to check all the details prior to opening night and make sure all ushers understand the layout of the house. Appoint positions for each usher and instruct them in proper ticket taking procedures.
4. Report to the theatre 30 min prior to house opening and meet with the ushers to check any last minute details. Only theatre personnel and ushers are to be allowed in the theatre prior to the house being opened.
5. The house manager, with the assistance of the Technical Director, will provide flashlights to all ushers and is responsible for returning them nightly to their proper storage place. The House Manager will see that ushers are provided programs.
6. The House Manager is in charge of all house emergencies. The House Manager should handle mistakes in seating, medical emergencies, or special audience needs. Know the emergency phone numbers need in case of problems.
7. Know handicapped-seating procedures and be alert for any possible audience seating problems.
8. Be alert during the performance with regard to any noise in the lobby or immediately outside the house. Be certain that noise during the performance is held to a minimum.
9. Prior to opening of the house, the House Manager will supervise the ushers in check the cleanliness of house an removal of whatever trash is found.
10. Synchronize your watch with the Stage Manager as soon as you arrive and check the Stage Manager or Director periodically prior to house opening. The Stage Manager will give the House Manager “OK” to open the house.
11. The House manager is responsible for making certain that no cameras or recording devices are allowed in the theatre. No smoking, eating, or drinking is allowed inside the theatre.
12. Late comers should be seated in the lobby until appropriate times.
13. Inform the Stage Manager if the start of the production needs to be delayed for reasons dealing with tickets or audience.
14. Check your watch at the start of intermission and be responsible for audience recalls approximately 2-3 minutes prior to the end of intermission. Close the doors when the crowd is in the auditorium.
15. The House Manager should turn any found items over to the Director.
Duties of the Ushers
1. Meet with the House Manager prior to opening night in order to discuss unfamiliar procedures.
2. Arrive at the theatre forty-five minutes before curtain and insure that the house is clean and neat. Check the seats for damage and report any damage to the House Manager.
3. Greet Patrons courteously and assist then in finding their seat as necessary. Remember, the patron makes contact with you first and that impression is very important.
4. Inform the House Manager immediately in case of emergency.
5. Late comers are to be seated in the lobby until appropriate times. Seat late comers as quickly and quietly as possible.
6. No cameras or recording devices are allowed in the theatre. Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in the theatre.
7. Close the doors when the audience is seating. Open exit door for the intermission and after the final curtain.
8. Know the procedure for handicapped seating and assist as necessary in making all patrons comfortable.
9. Turn in any found items to the House Manager.
Scene Shop Rules
Wear Safety goggles when running power saws.
Return tools, paint brushes, etc. to proper place when finished working.
All building and painting is done with Technical Director’s knowledge and supervision.
Costume Shop Rules
The sewing machines and other costume shop equipment may be used only with permission of the Director of Theatre.
No personal sewing or laundry is allowed.
Please remove equipment-such as scissors—from the shop only with the permission of a costume staff member. Return the piece as soon as you finish with it.
When you are in need of a costume, please consult the Director of Theatre
Check out the costume from the Director of Theatre
For Actors
Auditions:
Auditions are open to all Chipola Students and community members.
Audition Guidelines
1. Check the callboard upon arrival for changes or additions.
2. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for dance or movement.
3. Come early to warm up.
4. Have a head-shot with resume available if director requests.
5. Be quiet and courteous while other audition if the audition is open.
6. Stay relaxed and open if you are asked to read.
7. Be prepared to return for callbacks.
8. Check rehearsal schedule for commitment.
Rehearsal Rules:
1. Arrive early to warm up unless a company warm-up is scheduled.
2. Sign in once a sign-in sheet is posted.
3. Bring script, score, and pencil with eraser to every rehearsal through final dress rehearsal.