Copyright © 2011
Because of administrative penchants toward athletic activity on campuses, this document assists those who “understand” facilities in the context of athletic activities.
THE PLAYING FIELD - a location at which the event takes place. This must conform to sufficient specifications of size and composition in order for the participants to engage without hurting themselves. It must also have attendant features to provide for all aspects of the game to be executed. In rare instances, a multipurpose playing field may accommodate more than one kind of activity. But the field shall be designed to allow safe and efficient execution of activities in either type of performance. Equipment and items necessary for the execution of the event shall be included in the design and application of the playing field in appropriate proximity locations to the actual space. Public and non-public spaces shall be clearly defined.
SIDELINES – a location for participants to congregate and be ready to enter the action or retire efficiently. A place where equipment and support assets are readily available to assist in executing the event. This area is typically along both sides of the playing field for intuitively obvious and functional reasons. In many instances, access – including both ingress and egress - to the playing field may be dictated by an issue of timing and appropriate contribution of particular participants. This area must have ready access to equipment and items to assist the participants to efficiently complete their tasks unencumbered by inaccessibility.
LIGHTING – Appropriate illumination and control is necessary in order for the event to occur and allow both the participants and the spectators to participate. The physical location of such control space shall not interfere with either audience viewing or participant activities.
SOUND AND MEDIA– The distribution of equipment to allow the audience to hear and understand the activities of the event shall be included. A viewing position shall also allow a knowledgeable participant to view and augment the execution of the event and assist the spectator in such. Available media for recording and playback of the event either for broadcast or for educational use in further training shall be considered in progressive programs. The location and distribution of video equipment shall not interfere with either audience viewing or participant activities.
SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY – Equipment shall be included that assists all participants and spectators to understand elements of timing; participant knowledge as regards the progress toward ultimate successful completion of the event and synthesis with other ancillary systems such as sound and lighting for communication that may be either participant or audience directed.
GRANDSTAND – A proximity location to the playing field to allow the audience to gain an unobstructed view of the action without interrupting the event. While various configurations may be considered, this is designed to allow a sufficient number of spectators to see and hear the entire event, regardless of distance from the playing field. This is accommodated with seating whose numbers shall be consistent with the desired purpose of audience viewing and consistent with potential audience growth.
CONCESSIONS – Design of space in proximity to accommodate audience needs such as refreshment, inventory of items that augment and support the event or other such items that are deemed essential, appropriate and desired. Utility considerations are important for this space.
TICKETING AND MARKETING – A highly visible public location to accommodate audience needs for contributing to the event and allowing the audience immediate access to the grandstand seating for which they are qualified. Appropriate signage shall be provided to educate the audience on policies and procedures of gaining access to the current event and even to understand the same information on coming events. In foresighted programs, kiosks and electronic media shall be considered in response to changing technology.
ENTRANCE LOCATION – A space designed in concert with ticketing and marketing functions and in proximity to parking or mass transit terminals. This space is a reception area and meeting space for audience and spectators. This vestibule shall have obvious access to the grandstand viewing location and is typically adjacent to audience comfort facilities and concessions spaces.
PUBLIC RESTROOMS – Sufficient comfort facilities for both sexes shall be provided in proximity to the grandstand that allow the audience timely and sufficient access to relief from the intensity of the event. In some cases, media is included to accommodate a modified continuance of the event while the inconveniences of personal body functions preclude live spectatorship. Specific items in support of personal body functions shall be included in design of this area.
LOCKER ROOMS – designed for participants of the event to prepare for such participation and to retire following the completion of the event. These are for the most part non-public spaces, appropriately large enough for all participants to simultaneously prepare for the event. Individual space and storage is included to support each individual in preparation. The use of traditional individual lockers is what gives this space its name. Showers, sinks commodes and other hygiene items are essential for appropriate support of participants and shall be available in close proximity to locker rooms.
EQUIPMENT STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE - Sufficient space in proximity to locker rooms and playing spaces shall provide immediate access to equipment necessary in order to serve the participants in the event. Such things as cosmetics, uniforms, and specialty items shall be maintained in this space. Accommodation shall be made for the laundering and repair of uniforms and equipment either in this proximity space or another. Construction, repair and storage of equipment and materials necessary for the staging of the event shall be essential in the design of event facilities. Space for specialty maintenance equipment shall be included in facilities design and shall be in proximity to the space in which the equipment shall be needed.
PREPARATION AND CONDITIONING SPACE – To accommodate the development of the talent in anticipation of participating, sufficient space shall be included for physical conditioning, workouts, rehearsals, simulations, and evaluation of talent. In some cases this may include physical therapy and other specialized functions. Inevitably, equipment appropriate for standard and acceptable preparation shall not be ignored or compromised.
PRACTICE FIELD– A space for simulation of activities leading up to the event shall be of sufficient size necessary to accommodate the activities of preparation for the event. With limited access to the actual playing field due to multipurpose events or other reasons, a separate space is essential for the growth and maturity of participants engaged in the activity. Appropriate equipment and items essential for the rehearsal shall be available.
ANCILLARY CONSIDERATONS – In any event, there are specialized items in inventory that shall be considered regarding accessibility and storage for such items. Items retired from service shall be made available as inventory for coming events. This requires special storage spaces that readily contribute to the event and is more cost-effective than the purchase of new items for rehearsal as well as performance. Specialty gear required for specialty performance functions shall be also considered.
MEETING SPACE – The need for non-performance, non-rehearsal space in order to evaluate and discuss the elements of the performance, or to view media in order for the participants to understand the event shall be included in the design of the overall space. Depending on the size and multipurpose of the performing space, the consideration of multiple meeting spaces with appropriate ancillary support spaces shall be included.
OFFICE SPACE – For personnel charged with administration, direction, support and instruction of the activities engaged, appropriate office and storage space for files, educational materials, duplication, media, and other items essential for the overall program shall be designed in proximity to the other spaces. Such design assists participants – both performers and instructors - needing direction, counseling, individual attention or social communication and interaction.
And now here is a quiz for school administrators around the state. The following terms are actually required in a functioning theatre program. It is a non-graded quiz but very important to understand that the educational value of theatre is not to be slighted in budgetary considerations when education is considered literacy, team functioning, oral communication, cultural identity and ultimately the arts.
Substitute these terms and discover how your school will rate in providing facilities required for a functional theatre program.
OFFICE SPACE, STAGE, DEDICATED CLASSROOM, OFF STAGE SPACE, PROPERTY SHOP, LIGHTING SYSTEM AND CONTROL ROOM, REHEARSAL SPACE, AUDITORIUM, SOUND CONTROL ROOM, DRESSING ROOM, PUBLIC RESTROOMS, REHEARSAL ROOM, PROPS STORAGE, DRESSING ROOM, COSTUME ROOM, WARDROBE ROOM, LOBBY, GREEN ROOM, SCENE SHOP, BOX OFFICE, P.T. SPACE.