A thief caught by F. Murray Abraham

[Beatr79]

For those of you who haven't seen this already. 

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/136311-Drama-Beyond-the-Drama-F-Murray-Abraham-Scuffles-With-Backstage-Thief-at-CSC

[missliz]

Wow! My theater has had a couple thefts in the last year, including someone who came in through a backstage door and stole $500 from the dressing rooms during curtain call. It's ridiculous. I'm bringing up this story tomorrow to remind everyone why we lock the back door (and why they should give me their valuables!)

[NomieRae]

In the past year I've seen nearly a dozen laptops get stolen from theaters. Unfortunately, it's often internal theft by people who understand how theaters work/are set up/not heavily guarded.

let this be a warning to theater theives! F. Murray Abraham will get you

[Beatr79]

Unfortunately, it's often internal theft by people who understand how theaters work/are set up/not heavily guarded.

As mentioned in the article, the audience and access to backstage are not too far apart.  The theatre has riser-seating 3/4 around the stage and there's a weird little alley that runs nearly underneath two sets of the audience risers, leading to backstage.  There is also a flight of stairs that leads to the booth and admin offices. 

Who ever the crook is, I suspect he had some knowledge of the layout of the theatre and where the dressing rooms were.  Whether he worked in the industry, or just knew someone who did is anyone's guess right now, but that's what I'm guessing.

[KMC]

I think the "heroic intervention" garbage is a bit much for what is a relatively minor crime, but glad to see that justice was served.  Certainly a case study of what can happen if valuables aren't kept in a secure location.  

[centaura]

I've dealt with theft numerous times - and in every case it was someone who was familiar with the theatre.  Unfortunately these folks are out there, and they can inspire each other (we had a copy-cat theft after one theft here two years ago).  All we can do as stage managers is to try to recognize where we are weak security-wise and try to get our actors to give us their valuables.  And to lock up as much valuable house equipment as is feasible to do.

-Centaura

P.S. - If you ever have to get the police involved, be wary of fingerprinting powder - its basically condensed ink.  Wipe as much of it up dry as possible before adding liquid.  It gets really messy really fast when wet.  Not that I have experience spending an entire day cleaning it up from my office / work area.