MAIN STage guidelines
PA STATE THESPIAN CONFERENCE 2022-23
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
not updated for 23-24, but there should be little change
Please read through the following information. There are a number of items that you will want to be aware of as you plan your production to travel to PA Thespian Conference. Several of these rules are the same as those you will face if you take your production to the International Thespian Festival. Others are necessary for the giant undertaking that is PA Thespian Conference and our organization. We realize everyone has special circumstances, however, these rules/guidelines will be enforced and exceptions may not be possible. Always communicate with the conference host about any special needs and/or to confirm specifics within these guidelines.
In order for a Troupe to be allowed to present a Main Stage show at the PA State Thespian Conference, a royalty payment must be paid (or waived).
Please submit the ROYALTY AFFIDAVIT FORM. This must be received no later than Nov 4th for you to be able to perform your show at the State Conference.
Main Stage shows should provide a virtual program.
The State Board does not feel that it is their function to act as a censor in determining what is or what is not appropriate to perform at the State Conference. We are aware that what is acceptable in one school district may be found totally inappropriate in another. Therefore, we ask that directors consider carefully the language and content of anything they plan to perform at the Conference, remembering that we are mainly composed of knowledgeable, but impressionable, students ages 13 and up, with a thirst for quality theatre. A troupe should not perform anything at conference that would not be acceptable on their own stage and that has not been performed before a home audience. In addition, where questionable language, action, or theme will be presented, a warning will be given with the program notes and play introduction.
The Board has instituted the following for Schools that present work that raises concerns....
Level 1) Written notice identifying discrepancies from your content statement and the response to performance.
Level 2) School and/or Director not allowed to perform for 4 years at conference.
Level 3) Troupe and/or Director not allowed to participate with the State Conference for 1 or 2 years.
Your personnel will run your entire show - sound, lights, fly*, load in, strike, etc.
(* - IF Conference staff determine your personnel can safely handle this)
- MOVE IN - There is a (strict) 2 hour on stage/move in set up time for your show. This will begin about 2 ½-3 hours before your scheduled start time (TBA, but that is pretty close.) All of your rigging, lighting, final assembly, move in must be done during this relatively small window of time.
- LOAD IN - There is no scene shop in which to unload set, costumes, props, etc. prior to moving onto the stage. You will be able to back up your truck to the load-in and then walk your materials through a garage and onto the stage. You may be able to do some assembly in the garage, but most will have to be on the stage itself. Please know that your load in time will be given to you and will be determined by the time schedule of the conference and host facility. This has proven a challenge when trucks arrive at the conference on their time schedule and not the conference’s schedule. You need to make arrangements with your truck driver to be available several hours before your production and then after your production for load out. On Thursday and Friday late mornings and afternoons there will be some limited parking once you unload. Parking permits will be provided.
- STRIKE – You have 1 hour to strike and load out your set. This includes sound, lights, set, costume, dressing rooms, clean up, etc. This also includes load back on to your truck. You will be moving your materials off the stage area and out a back gate to your truck if we need to bring the next show through the garage. As the schedule is finalized, we will be able to let you know about how this will work. Your truck must be available to reload during your Strike. Please plan on taking your set back to your home school to dispose of it. There will be no dumpster space available for any disposal. What comes with you, returns with you!
- LIGHTING – Lighting is pretty much set and you will need to use what is provided. You will have the opportunity to focus a few instruments. This must be done during your Move in and then reset during your Strike. You could conceivably change the gel on some lighting instruments, but again, this will have to be done in your limited Move in and Strike time. Additional lighting information will be sent closer to the conference. (lighting and writing cues is usually the biggest challenge schools have getting done in the set up time)
- RIGGING – It is at the sole discretion of the Conference TD to determine if an object may be flown – safety is of prime importance at all times. You have the opportunity to hang and fly soft goods and some set pieces. Every item that is flown or hung must be fire proofed (if fabric). It will be up to the Conference Tech Director whether your personnel may operate the fly system. A tentative batton schedule is attached, a final version will be sent closer to the conference.
- TECH PERSONNEL – It is your responsibility to supply the tech personnel to load in, set up, run, strike and load out your show. The Conference TD will determine if your personnel will be allowed to operate the fly bar. If not, Conference personnel will operate the fly (being cued by your personnel.)
- SOUND – The PA Thespian Conference will supply floor mics, Sound system, computer for sound cues (Itunes or Q lab). Schools will need to provide their own CD player. There will be help loading into the sound booth computer to play through the auditorium sound system. You may bring your own sound board and tie it into the Conference system, or you may use the Conference sound board. If you want to use wireless microphones, you are encouraged to bring your own equipment. It is possible that you may be able to use conference wireless equipment (limited supply), however that conversation must take place at least a month in advance of the conference. Mixing your sound system and mics with North Penn High School’s equipment is NOT recommended. If you choose to use North Penn High School wireless mics, any damage incurred will be the responsibility of the school using it.
- FOLLOW SPOTS – There are 2 followspots in the balcony (house left and house right of the auditorium). You will not be able to change the gel on any of the followspots. (your personnel will operate these)
- ORCHESTRA PIT – Schools that perform at the State Conference will have their Pit in front of the stage on the auditorium floor level.
- PIT ORCHESTRA – You need to plan on bringing all the instruments, music stands, cables, cords, etc that you will need for your production.
- DRESSING ROOM – There are two dressing rooms with bathrooms. If you are using a cast of more than 20, this space will be a bit cramped. If this is your situation, you should contact the Conference host to discuss another possible option for some of your cast.
- MEALS – Shows that are performing in the evening will be Moving In during the dinner time. You may send your personnel to the Caf to eat (possibly staggering your personnel), or you may arrange in advance to have box meals from the Caf available for your personnel to eat backstage. If you are interested in this option, you must contact the Conference host at least 2 weeks in advance in order to arrange for the box meals. All food allergies and needs should also be communicated when ordering boxed meals.
- INTERCOM – See information below under North Penn High School Theater Technical Information “Intercom”.
- RESPONDERS – After your performance, you will be responded to by our PA State Main Stage adjudicators. We suggest that your cast and crew may want to sit in on this session where you will get verbal and written feedback. This process is intended to give positive reinforcement and constructive suggestions. Most schools have found this to be a very productive and helpful feedback. Unfortunately, this does eat into your Strike time (especially if your schedule strike is tight). Some schools have people being Strike right away while part of their crew is sitting in on the responders.
- COMMUNICATION – obviously this is a large endeavor for you as well as the host facility. The conference will be managing many productions in a very cramped time. The more you can communicate with the Conference Tech staff in advance, the better we can assist you with your various needs. Waiting until your 2 hours load in to discuss options really cramps your production and limits what the Conference Tech Staff can do to assist you.
North Penn High School Theater Technical Information
FACILITY ADDRESS
1340 South Valley Forge Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
LOAD-IN ACCESS
Stage load-in located on the north side of the campus.
Load-in 12’x12’ clear access, level, through garage.
Man door adjacent to equipment load-in door: 58”x
83” high, level access.
Accessible by up to 53’ tractor trailer.
Note: On Thursday & Friday there will be cars in the parking lot and truck maneuverability may be compromised.
STAGE
Proscenium opening width: 59’6”
Proscenium opening height: 25’11”
Plaster line to back wall: 29’9”
Plaster line to last US line set: 27’6”
Plaster line to stage edge (thrust): Curved - 65”(min) 96”(max)
SR wing: 14’x20’
SL wing: 30’x20’
Wing height: 50’
Hardwood floor, natural finish tongue and groove pine
Note: A black floor will be covering the tongue and groove pine. Any set markings must be part of your load-in and strike.
DRESSING ROOMS / WARDROBE
2 dressing rooms, stage level access
Each room accommodates up to 5 persons
Equipped with mirrors, lavatories
Additional rooms available without facilities
Note: The Band and Chorus rooms adjacent to the dressing rooms will also be available as needed.
RIGGING
Line position stage left, at stage level, no loading bridge.
Number of line sets: 25
Number of available sets: 14
Batten gridded height: 47’
Safe load: 800 lbs. / line set
House trim: 19’
COUNTERWEIGHT RIGGING
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
not updated for 23-24, but there should be little change
Please read through the following information. There are a number of items that you will want to be aware of as you plan your production to travel to PA Thespian Conference. Several of these rules are the same as those you will face if you take your production to the International Thespian Festival. Others are necessary for the giant undertaking that is PA Thespian Conference and our organization. We realize everyone has special circumstances, however, these rules/guidelines will be enforced and exceptions may not be possible. Always communicate with the conference host about any special needs and/or to confirm specifics within these guidelines.
In order for a Troupe to be allowed to present a Main Stage show at the PA State Thespian Conference, a royalty payment must be paid (or waived).
Please submit the ROYALTY AFFIDAVIT FORM. This must be received no later than Nov 4th for you to be able to perform your show at the State Conference.
Main Stage shows should provide a virtual program.
The State Board does not feel that it is their function to act as a censor in determining what is or what is not appropriate to perform at the State Conference. We are aware that what is acceptable in one school district may be found totally inappropriate in another. Therefore, we ask that directors consider carefully the language and content of anything they plan to perform at the Conference, remembering that we are mainly composed of knowledgeable, but impressionable, students ages 13 and up, with a thirst for quality theatre. A troupe should not perform anything at conference that would not be acceptable on their own stage and that has not been performed before a home audience. In addition, where questionable language, action, or theme will be presented, a warning will be given with the program notes and play introduction.
The Board has instituted the following for Schools that present work that raises concerns....
Level 1) Written notice identifying discrepancies from your content statement and the response to performance.
Level 2) School and/or Director not allowed to perform for 4 years at conference.
Level 3) Troupe and/or Director not allowed to participate with the State Conference for 1 or 2 years.
Your personnel will run your entire show - sound, lights, fly*, load in, strike, etc.
(* - IF Conference staff determine your personnel can safely handle this)
- MOVE IN - There is a (strict) 2 hour on stage/move in set up time for your show. This will begin about 2 ½-3 hours before your scheduled start time (TBA, but that is pretty close.) All of your rigging, lighting, final assembly, move in must be done during this relatively small window of time.
- LOAD IN - There is no scene shop in which to unload set, costumes, props, etc. prior to moving onto the stage. You will be able to back up your truck to the load-in and then walk your materials through a garage and onto the stage. You may be able to do some assembly in the garage, but most will have to be on the stage itself. Please know that your load in time will be given to you and will be determined by the time schedule of the conference and host facility. This has proven a challenge when trucks arrive at the conference on their time schedule and not the conference’s schedule. You need to make arrangements with your truck driver to be available several hours before your production and then after your production for load out. On Thursday and Friday late mornings and afternoons there will be some limited parking once you unload. Parking permits will be provided.
- STRIKE – You have 1 hour to strike and load out your set. This includes sound, lights, set, costume, dressing rooms, clean up, etc. This also includes load back on to your truck. You will be moving your materials off the stage area and out a back gate to your truck if we need to bring the next show through the garage. As the schedule is finalized, we will be able to let you know about how this will work. Your truck must be available to reload during your Strike. Please plan on taking your set back to your home school to dispose of it. There will be no dumpster space available for any disposal. What comes with you, returns with you!
- LIGHTING – Lighting is pretty much set and you will need to use what is provided. You will have the opportunity to focus a few instruments. This must be done during your Move in and then reset during your Strike. You could conceivably change the gel on some lighting instruments, but again, this will have to be done in your limited Move in and Strike time. Additional lighting information will be sent closer to the conference. (lighting and writing cues is usually the biggest challenge schools have getting done in the set up time)
- RIGGING – It is at the sole discretion of the Conference TD to determine if an object may be flown – safety is of prime importance at all times. You have the opportunity to hang and fly soft goods and some set pieces. Every item that is flown or hung must be fire proofed (if fabric). It will be up to the Conference Tech Director whether your personnel may operate the fly system. A tentative batton schedule is attached, a final version will be sent closer to the conference.
- TECH PERSONNEL – It is your responsibility to supply the tech personnel to load in, set up, run, strike and load out your show. The Conference TD will determine if your personnel will be allowed to operate the fly bar. If not, Conference personnel will operate the fly (being cued by your personnel.)
- SOUND – The PA Thespian Conference will supply floor mics, Sound system, computer for sound cues (Itunes or Q lab). Schools will need to provide their own CD player. There will be help loading into the sound booth computer to play through the auditorium sound system. You may bring your own sound board and tie it into the Conference system, or you may use the Conference sound board. If you want to use wireless microphones, you are encouraged to bring your own equipment. It is possible that you may be able to use conference wireless equipment (limited supply), however that conversation must take place at least a month in advance of the conference. Mixing your sound system and mics with North Penn High School’s equipment is NOT recommended. If you choose to use North Penn High School wireless mics, any damage incurred will be the responsibility of the school using it.
- FOLLOW SPOTS – There are 2 followspots in the balcony (house left and house right of the auditorium). You will not be able to change the gel on any of the followspots. (your personnel will operate these)
- ORCHESTRA PIT – Schools that perform at the State Conference will have their Pit in front of the stage on the auditorium floor level.
- PIT ORCHESTRA – You need to plan on bringing all the instruments, music stands, cables, cords, etc that you will need for your production.
- DRESSING ROOM – There are two dressing rooms with bathrooms. If you are using a cast of more than 20, this space will be a bit cramped. If this is your situation, you should contact the Conference host to discuss another possible option for some of your cast.
- MEALS – Shows that are performing in the evening will be Moving In during the dinner time. You may send your personnel to the Caf to eat (possibly staggering your personnel), or you may arrange in advance to have box meals from the Caf available for your personnel to eat backstage. If you are interested in this option, you must contact the Conference host at least 2 weeks in advance in order to arrange for the box meals. All food allergies and needs should also be communicated when ordering boxed meals.
- INTERCOM – See information below under North Penn High School Theater Technical Information “Intercom”.
- RESPONDERS – After your performance, you will be responded to by our PA State Main Stage adjudicators. We suggest that your cast and crew may want to sit in on this session where you will get verbal and written feedback. This process is intended to give positive reinforcement and constructive suggestions. Most schools have found this to be a very productive and helpful feedback. Unfortunately, this does eat into your Strike time (especially if your schedule strike is tight). Some schools have people being Strike right away while part of their crew is sitting in on the responders.
- COMMUNICATION – obviously this is a large endeavor for you as well as the host facility. The conference will be managing many productions in a very cramped time. The more you can communicate with the Conference Tech staff in advance, the better we can assist you with your various needs. Waiting until your 2 hours load in to discuss options really cramps your production and limits what the Conference Tech Staff can do to assist you.
North Penn High School Theater Technical Information
FACILITY ADDRESS
1340 South Valley Forge Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
LOAD-IN ACCESS
Stage load-in located on the north side of the campus.
Load-in 12’x12’ clear access, level, through garage.
Man door adjacent to equipment load-in door: 58”x
83” high, level access.
Accessible by up to 53’ tractor trailer.
Note: On Thursday & Friday there will be cars in the parking lot and truck maneuverability may be compromised.
STAGE
Proscenium opening width: 59’6”
Proscenium opening height: 25’11”
Plaster line to back wall: 29’9”
Plaster line to last US line set: 27’6”
Plaster line to stage edge (thrust): Curved - 65”(min) 96”(max)
SR wing: 14’x20’
SL wing: 30’x20’
Wing height: 50’
Hardwood floor, natural finish tongue and groove pine
Note: A black floor will be covering the tongue and groove pine. Any set markings must be part of your load-in and strike.
DRESSING ROOMS / WARDROBE
2 dressing rooms, stage level access
Each room accommodates up to 5 persons
Equipped with mirrors, lavatories
Additional rooms available without facilities
Note: The Band and Chorus rooms adjacent to the dressing rooms will also be available as needed.
RIGGING
Line position stage left, at stage level, no loading bridge.
Number of line sets: 25
Number of available sets: 14
Batten gridded height: 47’
Safe load: 800 lbs. / line set
House trim: 19’
COUNTERWEIGHT RIGGING
LIGHTING SYSTEM
Control Console: ETC EOS Programming Wing with 12 Universes, DMX and ETCnet Capable
Dimmers: 220 ETC Sensor 2.4kW Dimmers, ETCnet protocol, NET2
1 portable ETCnet to DMX nodes
Road service power outside USL wing
Spotlight booths located house left and right at balcony level equipped with LYCIAN Midget HP spotlights
Control Console: ETC EOS Programming Wing with 12 Universes, DMX and ETCnet Capable
Dimmers: 220 ETC Sensor 2.4kW Dimmers, ETCnet protocol, NET2
1 portable ETCnet to DMX nodes
Road service power outside USL wing
Spotlight booths located house left and right at balcony level equipped with LYCIAN Midget HP spotlights
SOUND
(3) JBL VRX900 Series line arrays in flown LCR configuration with main arrays 3’ forward of the proscenium.
Each line array (LCR) consists of (4) VRX932LA 12” mains and (1) VRX918S 18” subwoofer
Under balcony delayed fills
Allen & Heath iDR DSP with Crown Amplification
Dante audio network with 16x8 stage box, 32x16 stage box, and 32x32 console i/o
24 channels Sennheiser EW300 series wireless
(4) JBL active wedges (2) Mackie active wedges (4) Community passive wedges
Yamaha M7CL-48 FOH console.
(24) Wireless Channels of Sennheiser G3 series Microphones with Samson SE10T Earset microphones.
NOTE: Any damage to microphones will be billed to the responsible school. PA State Thespians will NOT cover damages incurred by any school.
INTERCOM
2 CH Clear-Com / Telex hybrid system
8 wireless belt packs
Wired communication ports at light, sound, spotlight locations.
(3) JBL VRX900 Series line arrays in flown LCR configuration with main arrays 3’ forward of the proscenium.
Each line array (LCR) consists of (4) VRX932LA 12” mains and (1) VRX918S 18” subwoofer
Under balcony delayed fills
Allen & Heath iDR DSP with Crown Amplification
Dante audio network with 16x8 stage box, 32x16 stage box, and 32x32 console i/o
24 channels Sennheiser EW300 series wireless
(4) JBL active wedges (2) Mackie active wedges (4) Community passive wedges
Yamaha M7CL-48 FOH console.
(24) Wireless Channels of Sennheiser G3 series Microphones with Samson SE10T Earset microphones.
NOTE: Any damage to microphones will be billed to the responsible school. PA State Thespians will NOT cover damages incurred by any school.
INTERCOM
2 CH Clear-Com / Telex hybrid system
8 wireless belt packs
Wired communication ports at light, sound, spotlight locations.
Revised 10/22