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Technical Guidelines for Student Production

The Department of Theatre is committed to student productions of all types.
The purpose of this document is to define, to clarify, and to quantify the support which the department extends to production activities with the following priorities:

1. Departmental major season productions Productions as an extension of official class work such as Directing, Playworks, acting finals and recitals, Senior Creative Project.
2. Theatre 190 Projects and productions which are not a part of any official class.

Student projects are normally scheduled for the Barn Theatre. The Barn Theatre is jointly operated by the Department of Theatre and the Department of Dance. Students may schedule performance and rehearsal times at a quarterly scheduling meeting, or with the Production Manager. Students using The Barn Theatre are responsible for observing all rules made by the Department of Theatre concerning use of The Barn. Faculty sponsorship is not required for the use of The Barn. The Department of Theatre occasionally permits student use of the 411 Theatre Lab. Scheduling of this space is done only by the Production Manager, and access is strictly controlled. Faculty sponsorship is required for the use of 411 Theatre Lab.

You are Responsible
The director of a student production and/or the faculty supervisor will be in charge of and held responsible for following the procedures outlined in this document. Directors must be registered students, and must have a faculty supervisor from the Department of Theatre who is willing to assume responsibility. Just as when a library book is overdue or lost, or as with a parking ticket, a fine is involved for the noncompliance with a regulation. The Department of Theatre levies fines, fees and penalties for the noncompliance with its regulations. Directors and/or faculty supervisors are required to sign a binding agreement which contains specific details of the pertinent regulations. Should circumstances require, collection will be by the University authorities, and students might not receive grades, might not be allowed to register, and/or might not be allowed to graduate as a consequence of nonpayment.

Plan Ahead and Ask Permission
The use of all equipment and facilities is contingent upon availability, with the needs of the department's main season and the long-term needs of the department taking priority. Permission of the Production Manager is always required.

Nothing is Free
Directors must provide all funding for their productions. The Department of Theatre does not make provision for any expenses including but not limited to scripts, royalties, advertising, tickets, supplies, material or equipment rental, services, printing, copying, labor or transportation. (See Student Handbook: Student Minigrants) Directors must make arrangements with the Production Manager for funding or payment. Students who secure funding through minigrants can only be reimbursed by the Production Manager and are bound by the petty cash and purchasing rules of the University.

A License is Required
Directors must secure a license to perform the production if a license is required. The license must be in writing from the publisher. The Production Manager can assist you, but without a license, you may not perform any copyrighted materials on the UCR campus.

Borrowing Props

1. Student directors may borrow props with permission from the Production Manager and will be liable for any props which are damaged or not returned. Props may not be painted or altered in any way without the written permission of the Production Manager.
2. Directors must make an appointment with the Production Manager or with the Technical Coordinator to select props from one of the departmental storage areas. Transportation of properties is the responsibility of the student. All borrowed props must be returned the next working day after the production closes..

Borrowing Costumes

1. Directors must make an appointment with the Costume Shop Manager to select costumes. Costumes are checked out for a specific time period and must be returned properly cleaned as specified. There is no charge for costumes returned by the due date. For costumes which are returned late, the regular costume rental fee will apply. Students are liable for damaged and/or lost costumes.
2. The Costume shop does not lend shoes, wigs, facial hair, foundation garments, tights, or leotards. Not all costumes are available for use, and all costumes and costume properties are lent at the discretion of the Costume Shop Manager.

Lighting/Sound/Studio Booth

1. The Barn has its own inventory of instruments and equipment. Use of the 411 Theatre Lab lighting and sound systems and inventory is at the discretion of the Production Manager. Directors may use the standard rehearsal lighting which in permanently hung in the 411 Theatre Lab. Only students who have been properly trained will be allowed to use the sound and/or any other lighting equipment. The sound and lighting equipment may only be used in the 411 Theatre Lab. The 411 Theatre Lab Booth is an alarmed area. Keys and alarm codes to this area are never issued to students. Arrangements must be made with the Production Manager for the use of this area. Lighting equipment must be struck immediately following the last performance of the show. If the department is required to strike the equipment, Directors will be charged for the labor.
2. The technical personnel of the Department is not available for student productions.

Computer Time
Departmental computers are not available for student productions. A wide range of free services is available to students elsewhere on campus.

Advertising
Students are free to publicize their production activities in any lawful manner they choose. However, the title of "Theatre Department" of "Department of Theatre" may not appear on any photographs, posters, flyers, or press release information unless prior written approval is obtained from the Production Manager.

Public Performances
The Production Manger must always be notified in writing of a public performance in a space which is managed by the Department of Theatre. Provisions must always be made for dealing with the public and for complying with University regulations. Real safety and liability concerns are involved, and Directors and their supervisors could be directly liable. The Technical Coordinator is the safety liaison for the department and is available to advise directors. Obvious safety or legal concerns such as firearms, fire, smoke effects, and loud noises are issues which must have prior written approval.

Special Rules For:

PLAYWORKS (12-3-93)

1. A play which is selected for PLAYWORKS will be a new work which has never had a public reading. Therefore, emphasis should be on the development of the script and not on the production. Minimal production elements: standard light plot (no specials), no set, no costumes, no stage make-up, and no props. The production should consist of a script-in-hand reading with minimal blocking. A second option would be to perform the play by means of oral interpretation--a reading utilizing a podium or music stands, etc. Students must enroll in an appropriate theatre class. Playwrights may receive 164B or 164C credit; directors may receive 150C or 190 credit; actors who are non-majors may receive 170 credit.
2. If no student or professional/faculty director can be found to direct a staged reading, the "second option" (oral interpretation) will be utilized.

NEW PLAYS

1. NEW PLAYS is the second stage of development of a script. Plays should either have had a staged reading, workshop production, or, in the opinion of the instructor, warrant further development in the NEW PLAYS venue. Work submitted for NEW PLAYS will be judged by a Reader's Committee composed of three faculty members. Production elements: Enhanced lighting, minimal set, costumes, props, etc. A modest budget and some technical support is provided.
2. Professional and/or faculty directors will direct and/or supervise the production. A minimum of three weeks rehearsal should be given to the piece. Actors must memorize lines, etc.