Author Topic: VENUES: Outdoor Venues  (Read 11170 times)

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LindaKim

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VENUES: Outdoor Venues
« on: May 22, 2006, 01:34 am »
I wonder if those of you who have worked in the outdoor theatre arena, wouldn't mind sharing your experiences. This will be my first time working outdoors, and I would like to avoid any major pitfalls, if possible.

Thank you.

Linda
« Last Edit: Jun 08, 2009, 11:31 pm by PSMKay »
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Mac Calder

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Outdoor Theatre - Basic Information
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2006, 02:15 am »
Well it depends on the space - an ourdoor ampetheatre is a lot different to some portable staging in a park, which is different to a theatre show set up in the middle of the street.


If it is an outdoor ampetheatre or a stage in a field/park, a few main things to consider (which somewhat apply to the third scenario too):

Chances are sound re-inforcement will become a much bigger deal - you have to be weary about noise polution laws and the like.

You also need to have some form of security, because un-manned objects tend to go walk abouts.

What are your call times - if you will be performing in daylight, chances are you will not have much lighting (if any). If it is night time, lighting will be needed. Now if lighting is needed, that means you need something to hang from. If it is a decent sized show, this will probably mean truss. Working with truss means you have to consider local laws about assembly and rigging.

Power is a major thing you will need to consider, no matter where you are.  There are a few ways to go about it - a genset is one, the other is a temporary power installation - it all depends on how long the run is going for. If you are in the "Street" scenario, you may be able to nick some power from surrounding shops, but often they will not have the sort of feeds a show requires.

Plan for the worst - including rain, hail and wind. That means that you NEED to have power cables that are correctly rated, you should cover the stage if you can and really think about the way the stage is oriented. Find out the way the wind usually blows and take that into consideration.

Largely it depends on show complexity, location and format, so more info would be great.

Debo123

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Outdoor Theatre - Basic Information
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2006, 09:56 am »
Mop the stage for bird droppings.
The last thing that should happen before you open the house is a final sweep, of the dust, grass, etc. that will get tracked on by everyone as they prep their respective areas preshow.
Beware the chirping birds during the matinees. Apparently they are aspring actors as well.
I just finished a show outdoors, and the light board op was dying from allergies (eyes swollen near-shut and the like), although I don't know how much of a summer problem that is.
Is your cast going to be cold during evening shows- what are they wearing? (In theory the costume designer should think about that, but they might not).

This is some stuff that came up for us. But like MC said, more info would help us to know what the situation is so we're not just shooting in the (outdoor) dark.

KC_SM_0807

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Outdoor Theatre - Basic Information
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2006, 12:16 pm »
I work every year as PSM on a production called Shakespeare on the Green in Wilmington, NC, and it is in a beautiful ampitheatre with a lake in the background and trees everywhere.  We are doing Loves Labours Lost this year, and the show runs every weekend in June.  It's an interesting experience.  Of course you have to adapt to the weather.  You have to make sure that all of the set is in good shape before every run, which includes making sure that there is nothing hazardous on the stage.  You also have to take good care of the equipment to make sure that it doesn't get damaged.  As we all know, if it rains it pours, so you have to prepared at any moment.  It's really a fun experience becuase you get to be outside and enjoy the outdoors!
"Perhaps, therefore, Stage Managers not only need to be calm and meticulous professionals who know their craft, but masochists who feel pride in rising above impossible odds."

ljh007

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outdoor theatre
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2006, 03:33 pm »
If you have a bit of extra time available, I would highly recommend holding wind and rain tech rehearsal sessions. Basically, you should have a choreographed plan for crew in the event of rain or high winds. Everyone should know where to get their tarp/weights, and each crew should have an assigned item (set piece, truss, etc.) to tend to. If you ever encounter rain or wind in a rehearsal or performance, your crew can save the equipment and protect the performers and audience quickly, efficiently, and professionally. Ask your producers if you can get such time with the crew - but it could mean the expense of an extra rehearsal or crew hours. If you can't practice on your feet, sketch out a plan and present it to the crew. When weather comes up, it can get dangerous fast and your safety plan that seemed extravagant at first could save the day.

PS: keep some towels backstage, and plenty of bug spray and sunblock in your kit, too!

LindaKim

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Outdoor Theatre - Basic Information
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2006, 09:12 am »
Wow! Thank you everyone.
I'll try to answer as best I can, and I'll get more info tomorrow night.

Well, I got over to the outdoor yesterday today. It’s a neat little area. The whole community that surrounds the theatre, pretty much exists to support the theatre. The townspeople encourage and live for Shakespeare.

mc: I would call the space an ampetheatre, but on a very small scale. The area that surrounds the “stage” is very woodsy, with lots of trees towering over the stage. There is very little light or noise pollution to contend with. The majority of house owners turn their homes inside out to accommodate the actors and technicians.

Basically, if you’re standing center stage, you’re no more than 3 feet from the first row of seats and maybe 15 feet from the last row. I’ll have to take a photo next time I’m there and I’ll post it. It is set back off of the main road of the neighborhood.

Call times: only one matinee. The rest are 8:00 performances. Lighting is very simple. Rigging is already installed in the trees (remember, I mentioned lots of towering trees?) and lights just go up as needed.

There is a generator at the back of the theatre.

Debo: I don’t know if the cast is going to be cold, but I can definitely tell you that the stage manager was getting pretty darn chilly last night. I worked with the costume designer in the afternoon. She’s got a handle on most of the characters’ costumes. The only one who may end up a little chilly would be our Ophelia when her madness takes over and she’s crawling across the stage in her shift, but that’s only for the one scene.

KC_SM: The NC theatre sounds truly amazing! I wish I could have seen it.

In past years, if weather got too inclement to go on with the show, the whole shebang got moved over to the indoor theatre across the street. Nothing stays outside.

Ljh: Thanks for the info. I like the rehearsal session suggestion. And the towels. Great idea, because as the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy tells us, “A towel… is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.”

And I picked up some heavy-duty bug spray up on the way home tonight. Now, if I can just avoid spiders (eeewwwwww), I’ll be good.

Linda  :mrgreen:
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.
If you see a light, it's probably a freight train.

Tigerrr

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Outdoor Theatre - Basic Information
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2006, 10:47 am »
I'm in the same situation as you are this summer - doing my first outdoor show.  They've given me a sheet (well, several ;) with information from past stage managers, as well as their own company policies.  You might try to see if there's anything hanging around from previous years that could be helpful.  Sometimes SMs will use the office computer and leave their paperwork on it.

I'm not sure about your company, but this one has decided that if there is a light rain during a performance, they'll just proceed with the show.  Therefore, they've already scheduled a rehearsal where we wet the deck and alter choreography accordingly (did I mention this is commedia?)  There are also several rehearsals scheduled in our indoor space for rain days.

I'm not sure about you, but our show is rehearsing outdoors as well.  If they're going to be spending a lot of time outside during the day, remember that UV rays can go through natural fabric, so it might be a good idea to put sunblock on shoulders, etc, even if wearing long sleeved clothing.

And yes, plenty of bug spray! :)

TechGal

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Outdoor Theatre - Basic Information
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2006, 11:17 am »
I worked at an outdoor Shakespeare festival last summer where everything was trucked in an set up in the middle of a field.  They made the huge mistake of painting the stage black.  It lasted about a week before everyone involved with the three separate shows started complaining loudly!  Let me tell you something,  when it's 95 F outside and humid as heck a black deck is impossible to work on.  You could have fried eggs on that thing, and I'm not kidding!  They repainted it a light grey.  Made a huge difference!!!

djemily

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Outdoor Theatre Advice / Much Ado About Nothing- In the Park
« Reply #8 on: Jun 17, 2006, 11:27 pm »
I'm going to be working on Much Ado About Nothing this summer for Shakespeare in the Park. Besides the obvious bug spray/ umbrella for sun/ cardstock for prompt book (I live in windy west  Texas) does anyone have any ideas about surviving the scorching summer Shakespare in the Park? Or about the show in general?

Thanks!

Emily

ELillyG

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Re: Outdoor Theatre Advice / Much Ado About Nothing- In the Park
« Reply #9 on: Jun 23, 2006, 10:22 am »
don't forget to find things like what the distance is to the nearest bathroom - and if it's in a park setting, make sure that there's back up toilet paper as well.

If you can swing it and it's an all day rehearsal, make sure that there's nibble food that won't go bad in the sun (fruit, non-chocolate laced things) - nobody is going to want to eat a full meal because of the heat, but getting hungry will drive them crazy after a while.

Wear loose clothing in light colors. You may even want to bring another shirt for later in the day or after rehearsal to change into.

Seconding the water - even if you don't think you're thirsty you are. If you don't have to go to the bathroom, you're not drinking enough.

If you're wearing a visor hat & pigtails, make sure that you remember to put sunscreen on your part. (no....no personal experience there. :)

I second the sunstroke/heat exhaustion.

I also want to point out that you'll feel considerably more tired after being outside all day than you think - even if you're just "sitting there."

Rachel
gearing up for her fifth year working the Meadow Stage at the Festival for the Eno (www.enoriver.org/festival) - a large field, Fourth of July weekend, in Durham, North Carolina.
RSZ

TechGal

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Re: Outdoor Theatre Advice / Much Ado About Nothing- In the Park
« Reply #10 on: Jun 24, 2006, 03:24 pm »
I would add that it's a good idea to have a foul weather plan in place.  If it starts raining during a performance, at what point do you stop the show?  When it's drizzling? pouring? thundering?  What's the chain of command for making the official decision? If you do have to stop or hold, who's responsible for making sure the stage is cleared and all equipment/props/costumes/sets/etc are covered and/or stored properly.  Will you wait for the storm to pass and then resume or cancel the performance completely.  It is also a good idea to have plenty of tarps and towels handy incase the heavens do open. 

Here's an example.  Last summer I was an ASM for the Lexington Shakespeare Festival which is basically an uncovered stage set up in the middle of a field.  One night, there was a down pour right before we were supposed to start.  We had had advanced warning though because our producing director was in contact with the meteorologist at a local TV station.  We covered the stage with about three giant tarps and weighted them down so they wouldn't blow away.  All the props were stored in plastic bins or a trailer and everything else was covered with tarps or stored as necessary.  The storm came through but didn't last very long.  We got the all clear that the storm had passed and it was OK to go ahead with the show.  So we held off starting long enough for the stage crew to get the tarps up and towel off the wet parts of the deck. Everything came off without a hitch because we all knew what to do.  Had we been forced to cancel, the producing director would have made the official decision and announced it to the audience.     

On another note, water is good, but so are sports drinks like Power Aid, Propel, and Gatorade.  They help your body replenish all the liquid you're sweating off a lot better
than just plain water.   

Just my thoughts. Hope they help some. 

Tigerrr

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Re: Outdoor Theatre Advice / Much Ado About Nothing- In the Park
« Reply #11 on: Jun 25, 2006, 10:35 am »
I've just finished week 1 of rehearsal for an outdoor show.  We got rained out on the first day, and ended up working in three different venues!  We've been doing table talk and mask work all week (it's commedia - sort of) so things haven't been too strenuous yet.  We're lucky because we have a full sized fridge (with freezer!) available to us in a building near the stage, so everyone's been bringing their lunches and munching throughout the day.  I picked up one of those blue water containers that you can get for camping and am keeping it in the fridge.  We have to fill it up using the water fountain, which is a huge pain in the butt, but I don't trust the water from the bathroom taps.

A few things I've learned this week:
- If you're in the sun ALL day, SPF 30 isn't enough.  And keep applying the stuff.  I've been putting it on at least 4 times a day.
- Keep some small heavy rocks handy to use as paperweights. 
- Have a garbage container with a lid.  Those squirrels can get pretty sneaky. (One of them tried to steal my director's backpack!)
- Print the script on grey paper.  Even with sunglasses on, it really helps with the eyestrain.
- Actors like to lose their shoes and curl their toes in the grass.  Stop them.  Especially if it's a public area.  You wouldn't believe the things I've found lying around the grass this week.
- Mornings are a lot more productive than the afternoons.  Try to schedule accordingly.
- Short, frequent breaks.  We start blocking on Monday and my director has agreed to take 5-10 minute breaks every hour rather than 15 min in the middle of the morning.  I think that'll help.
- As much as possible, keep your SM table in the shade.  You've got to look out for yourself as well as your actors!

The one thing I wish I had?  A laptop with a wireless internet connection.  As it is, once everything is struck and locked up at the end of the day, I have to walk 20 min to get to the office so I can start my paperwork. 

We'll see what I learn in week 2....

 ;D

Mac Calder

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Re: Outdoor Theatre Advice / Much Ado About Nothing- In the Park
« Reply #12 on: Jun 25, 2006, 11:41 am »
Tigerrr raised an excellent point about the grass and things on it. I would advise that you walk the entire space before each rehearsal and performance to ensure the ground is clear of anything dangerous. The last thing you want is a needle stick injury, or an actor to twist their ankle in a hole in the ground. I would also perform what we in Australia call an "emu parade" every so often - basically you line the entire company up within the space and you slowly pace up the space cleaning the ground as you go. It is slightly degrading and you may have to sooth a few egos but generally if an actor is willing to work outside they are willing to perform these slightly icky tasks.

A point that I feel need constant re-itteration - Plan for weather problems. That means you need to make sure any departments using electricity comply with regulations regarding outdoor temporary installs where water is a high risk. It means you should have a procedure to quickly secure everything, evacuate the stage and cover if necessary. And you should practice each of these. If you have the time, dedicate a day during tech to get everyone onto the right page.

There is a saying, "never work with animals or children" - I think the saying should be extended "never work  outdoors or with animals or children", because like animals and children, outdoor environments are infinately more unpredictable. And like animals and children, they can be great fun to work with :-)

KC_SM_0807

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Re: Outdoor Theatre Advice / Much Ado About Nothing- In the Park
« Reply #13 on: Jun 26, 2006, 01:28 am »
I do something similar called Shakespeare on the Green every year... we actually just closed the show, Loves Labours Lost, tonight after a month long run. 

My advice would of course be good sunscreen and sunglasses!  Also, make sure that you have plenty of water because it gets hot.   We had one of those nifty water cooler systems in the dressing rooms too (like you see in doctors offices..that sort of thing) so that the actors could stay cool.

I'm not sure how you do things there, but here we had to pack everything up at the end of every show and then set everything back up the next day for the next performance.  If you have to do this, then make sure that you do what we call an Idiot Check, where you walk the whole park and make sure that everything is picked up and locked.  We had a $700 dimmer stolen this year because it was somehow left out overnight.

 Also, make sure that cords/cables are secured and the audiences are aware of things that they could trip over.  On top of that, make sure that the audience knows which parts are off limits.  We have many problems with people walking backstage at our show, even though we had signs posted and the backstage area was roped off.  It could be dangerous to the actors and to the audience as well if they were to fall or trip over something.

Make sure that you know the plan of action for weather.  Have some sort of signal so that everyone knows if you need to go to rain speed or stop the show.  Make sure your crew also knows the procedures as far as what needs to be striked first if it does start to rain.  Also make sure that you are familiar with the space and where everything is just in case there are any emergencies.

Finally, make sure that the stage is checked, and then swept/cleaned off.  With it being outside, the set is more prone to damage that could be dangerous to the actors.  Pinecombs, pinestraw, and other things could have also fallen on the stage, and you just need to make sure that it is clean and presentable.

Outdoor Shakespeare is really fun. I've done it for the past few years. It is definitely an experience and it can get really hot and uncomfortable, but it's worth it!

Best of Luck =)




"Perhaps, therefore, Stage Managers not only need to be calm and meticulous professionals who know their craft, but masochists who feel pride in rising above impossible odds."

djemily

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Re: Outdoor Theatre Advice / Much Ado About Nothing- In the Park
« Reply #14 on: Jun 28, 2006, 10:15 pm »
Thank you guys for the advice. I do wish I could take my laptop out there, but the battery doesn't hold a charge once I unplug it which is a whole other problem in itself. We have about a month left before we open and I feel like we are running out of time. We are working with some really inexperienced actors, but they are trying their hardest. I did hear a story that a year or two ago during the run of a show a duck started following the cast around on stage and doing entrances/exits with the cast and after the final strike tried to follow the director and some cast members to their cars, quacking the entire time :)   I'll take my camera just in case....

 

riotous