Intro to Theatre

​

Theatre Safety Course

The theatre can be a dangerous place. Most accidents in a theatre are avoidable by replacing unsafe habits with safe practices!

Main causes of accidents:

• Not knowing the rules
• No using tools properly
• Carelessness
• Taking unnecessary risks
• Being in a hurry

General Safety Regulations

• No running, joking around, or any other type of “horseplay”
• Lift heavy objects properly and with the help of someone else
• Always leave your area clean (scene shop, soundboard, light booth, stage, pit)
• Report accidents immediately
• Do not jump off the stage- use the steps
• Where goggles when running power tools
• Do not wear loose or flowing clothes when working in the scene shop and be sure to tie up long hair
• Electrical cords running along the stage floor should be taped or secured to avoid tripping
• THINK THINK THINK

Fire Protection

• Three Categories of Fires
• Class A- ordinary combustibles- paper, cloth, cardboard, wood
• Class B- petroleum based combustibles- paint, oil, grease, fuel
• Class C- Electrical Fire
• Keep exits and access to exits clear at all times
• Flammables such as paint thinners and spray cans should be stored in metal storage cabinets
• No open flames on stage
• Electric bulbs should not be decorated or covered with paper or combustible material
• If fire is discovered
• Sound the alarm then fight the fire if it is safe to do so
• If fire is large or if there is any doubt a small fire can be fought evacuate and sound the alarm on the way out
• How to use an ABC fire extinguisher
• Pull the pin
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
• Squeeze the trigger
• Sweep from side to side

Tour of Richland Performing Arts Center

Front of the House- Lobby, Box Office, Concession Stand

House- Seats- arrangement

Sound Booth

Light Booth

Catwalks

Stage

Stage

STAGE DIRECTIONS

Upstage

Downstage

Stage left

Stage right

AREAS

Apron

Fly rail

Wings

Sight lines

CURTAINS

​

Main Drape

Legs

Borders

Traveller

Cyclorama

Scrim

​

Fly Rail Safety

Never stand or walk under moving battens

Do not sit or store anything on or under the rail (including drinks, clothing, props, etc.)

Do not climb sit or stand on the rail

Flymen must maintain visual contact with moving element

Do not lean over the batten when it is going out!

Before loading weights on the arbor yell “Clear the Rail” those on the deck (stage) should respond “Rail is Clear” after they ensure the area is free of personnel. The bridge crew will then yell “loading/unloading bricks on (line set/electric #)”

Before testing the balance the flyman will ensure the stage area and loading bridge crew have moved away from the batten- The flyman will announce “Testing weight on batten/electric #” and wait for a response from all deck and bridge crew with “Deck clear or a bridge clear”

​

Rigging Safety

• Only authorized persons are permitted to work with rigging
• All rigging and flying work should be done together without other work taking place on the stage
• Before flyman moves a batten or electric they should be sure to call out “batten/curtain/ electric # coming in/out”
• Report any irregularity in the cable, rope, or counterweight system to the teacher immediately
• Lock rings should be on at all times except at the moment of actual flying
• When not in use all battens should be stripped of hardware, extensions and other attachments

Scene Shop, Machinery, and Tools

• Keep work area clean!
• Dress properly- hard soled closed toed shoes, no loose fitting clothing, no flip flops
• Do not use machinery with suspected issues- report issues immediately to the teacher
• Use the right tool for each job- do not improvise
• Keep guards in place
• Maintain proper footing and a secure grip when operating tools- do not overreach
• Do not change blades, bits, or belts while the tool is plugged into a power source
• Never leave tools running while unattended
• Disconnect from power source when not in use
• Return tools and equipment to their proper place after use
• If you are not sure how to use a tool or perform a task ask a teacher for help

Lighting Safety

• Do not work around electrical equipment without shoes
• Report any defect or concern to a teacher immediately
• Should electrical shock occur- source must be shut off immediately
• Any incident of electrical shock, not matter how minor, must be reported to the teacher
• No food or drink in the light booth
• The light booth is not a hang out area

Make-up

• Only use your own makeup
• Wash hands before and after application
• Replace old makeup regularly
• Moisten brushes and pencils with clean water- not saliva

Actors contribute to safety too:

• Keep backstage area clean
• Put costumes away
• Return microphones

The most important rule of theatre safety is to think of the consequences of each action you take!

NO HORSEPLAY!

​