GUIDELINES FOR PIPE DREAMS DIRECTORS Spring 2008
Each actor in your play must have a script; you may not photocopy any script to be used for performance unless the publisher gives permission in writing. See Bookstores on the Links page for publisher information.
An actor may be in two Pipe Dreams shows or one main stage and one
Pipe Dreams show; this limit includes rehearsal periods and performances.
Give your audition sign-in sheet to the student production manager as
soon as you have cast along with the names of your cast.
The Student PD Production Manager & Tech Faculty must approve all
cast and technicians involved in your pipe dream show.
Cast and Crew involved in your show cannot be working in the 2-week
production period of a main stage production either by tech assignment,
practicum Light or Set Prep assignment or in the cast. Verification
that they are not involved in the 2-week period during your show is
the purpose of this form. Click here
to download this form.
The director is responsible for filling out:
PD Schedule: Needs to be filled out and turned into the show's TD at last ONE WEEK PRIOR to load-in.
The director is still responsible for signing out PD for rehearsal space
Technical Rider/Technical
Paperwork:
The purpose of the Technical Rider is to inform the PDTD and the faculty
of the technical requirements of your show. This documents should be
as complete as your can make it. It is important to be detailed on the
form, because if it isn't on the technical rider, it cannot be in the
production. At least ONE WEEK PRIOR TO LOAD-IN the director must meet
with the faculty technical director to approve the technical rider (this
includes ground plan and light plot). Email the faculty TD to set up
an approval meeting. After approval, the director must deliver the technical
rider to the PDTD in person. Discussion will need to happen with the
PDTD as soon as possible after the meeting with the faculty technical
director.
On the technical rider, you will need to fill in personnel for your
production. You will need to need board operators and designers. While
a PDTD is there for your production’s benefit do not assume the
PDTD will fill an open position you may need. Please discuss with your
PDTD any positions you will need him/her to fill before meeting with
the faculty technical director, as the technical rider should be accurately
completed at that meeting. Click here to download
this form.
If your production is double billed with another director’s production, be sure to work out a schedule with him/her to propose to the faculty technical director and PDTD.
The PDTD will be in charge of the keys for the entire space. Any others will need to have clearance through the faculty technical director prior to having any keys.
You may not alter the space, i.e. no painting of the floor or walls. Do not take furniture from PD2 or any other space.
The environment must always be safe and free from any clutter. THE ROOM MUST BE LEFT CLEAN WHEN YOU FINISH REHEARSAL AND AFTER THE SET IS LOADED IN/OUT, i.e., panels on windows should be taken off, all chairs stacked on cart, all trash taken out, and kitchen should be cleaned and organized. If the room is not clean when you come in to use it, please inform the PDTD via e-mail
Do not exceed the seating capacity of 90 under any circumstances.
No alcoholic beverages may be used in productions or allowed in the space.
Absolutely no spray paint, oil base paint, paint remover, or any flammable paint or product may be brought into the building.
Use the tools provided for Pipe Dreams space; do not use shop tools. PLEASE report any breakage, loss, or malfunctioning to the PDTD.
If you are double-billed with another performance, please consult with your PDTD and the other directors concerning changeover between shows. You should at least address:
Shows may not load in until the previous shows have struck completely. Photo calls may NOT be held after a performance; if you want to do a photo call, please arrange for it during a rehearsal time.
Your entire cast and crew are required to be at your load-in, at least
in shifts.
Your entire cast and crew are required to be at your strike.
Everyone is required to work when present at a load-in/strike. Pipe Dreams is an educational environment, and your PDTD is always willing to teach you how to do something you do not know how to do. Please keep your cast/crew from sitting/standing around, or hanging out in the hallway when they should be helping you get your production ready. Ask your PDTD what work can be done if you are not sure.
After the final performance everything will be struck out of the space: no props or costumes will be left in the cabinet, set pieces and props will be struck to the shop. Strikes must be completed within 24 hours after load-out. There is a staging area in the scene shop for all props and furniture from the rail - scenery will be allowed to be placed on the shop floor but will be struck within the 24 hour period. Any items needing to go to other theatre locations may be stored in PD for 24 hours. All items not owned by the theatre department will be removed immediately from the premises. The PDTD will check to make sure all items are returned in the proper time limit and in an acceptable condition. Directors may pickup their deposit from the appropriate supervisor. If guidelines for strikes are not followed, the entire deposit may be withheld.
If guidelines concerning strikes are not followed, you will be charged an additional $15.00 to have your furniture, props, costumes, etc removed and you will lose the privilege of working again in Pipe Dreams. This rule applies to everyone including directing students.
You may request Pipe Dreams 1 for load-in for 1.5 hours only on Sunday
night for Tuesday shows and Tuesday night following PD shows for Thursday
shows.
You may request Pipe Dreams 1 for rehearsals the night prior to show
date only from 6pm-Midnight. No rehearsal or load-in can go over Midnight.
Please make sure to share load-in and rehearsal times when there are
2 shows going up the same day.
All requests for load-in and rehearsal times must be made thru R25 (r25.millikin.edu).
Verbal or email requests for time will not be honored. Pipe Dream TDs
will not come in unless there are reservations in R25. All reservations
need to be made in R25 at least 48 hours prior to the reservation time.
All electrical wires must be taped down to the floor, if at all possible, and exit signs must always be lit and visible. Do not alter lighting cords or equipment in any way. No hanging, wiring, patching, plugging, etc. may happen without the PDTD present. Light hang should happen at your load-in unless otherwise discussed with your PDTD. Your lighting designer should be present for this and should have at least one accurate copy of the light plot for the hang.
A rep light plot will be available if you do not have a lighting designer.
Speak with your TD
The PDTD will not design/implement your lighting for you (i.e. run light/sound
board for performances) as part of their TD responsibilities. Individual
TD's may be approached to design PD productions above and beyond their
TD responsibilities at their own discretion. They are required to deny
any and all last minute requests to design your lighting. Directors
who do not prepare in advance will have to make do with the work lights
and the windows.
All cables on the grid must be properly dressed; all cables on the
floor must be properly taped down with gaff tape (avoid taping anything
to the walls.) Ask your PDTD if you are unsure on how to properly deal
with cables.
The PD Lighting Stock is as followed:
Costumes for Pipe Dreams may be pulled from the costume stock; the rental period is two weeks, however this time limit is flexible and should be worked out with the costume rental coordinator. Hours for check out/in are listed each semester in Nue Mue. All costumes must be cleaned before they are returned. Some costumes may require dry cleaning. If you can't afford to clean it, don't rent it. If you are unsure of how to clean an item, ASK. Allow for cleaning time in your rental period. There is a $20 deposit (cash or check) on all costume rentals, which will be returned to you when costume is returned clean and on time. If you must be called to remind you of a late rental, you forfeit your deposit. If after two months your rentals are not returned back to the shop, the price of the garment will be charged to your university account. (Note: this charge can be considerable). Bring any dry cleaned garment back in its bag with the tags attached. The PDTD is not and can not be responsible for returning costumes.
The Prop Studio is available for all students’ use. Set pieces may be checked out through the Props Studio as well, including items held in the Props Studio, the Old Gym, and (with permission from the faculty) stock set pieces in rehearsal spaces such as PD2. Hours of the Props Studio personnel are posted in Nue Mue. There is a $20 deposit which will be returned when rented materials are returned on time, clean, and unaltered. You may return props and set pieces during the strike through your PDTD; otherwise you must return them the following day.
Exit signs must be lit and never covered at any time. Do not, under
any circumstances, block the exits.
Paths of egress must be at least 42” and marked clearly.
Flammables and smoking will be allowed on a case-by-case basis. You
should consult your PDTD about the particulars of each circumstance,
discuss it at your meeting with the faculty TD, and you must finally
get permission from Lt. Deania Luthy, MU Safety Officer (6388). Make
sure you allow plenty of time for these meetings to take place prior
to your production and for a response time following the meeting.
Program information (name of play, playwright, director, designers, cast, crew, special thanks, show date, times and order of shows) must be turned in TYPED to the student Production Manager no later than one week before your show. Also, note if there is smoking, strong language, gunshots and/or strobe lights used. If this information is not turned in on time and according to the guidelines, you will not get a program. If you want an extra program for your records, see Mary; do not ask for a program from the house managers.
Rehearsal is over at 12:00 am (midnight) period. You may call Security (6388) to arrange for an escort after rehearsals.
Classes are held in PD1 both before and after morning performances. Be sure to plan ahead with the other director so that you can set up, perform, and completely strike your shows between 10:50 am-12:30 pm. Shows will be stopped at 12:15 pm to allow time to strike
Deposits on sets and costumes are to insure the clean and timely return
of borrowed items.
You, as the director, are ultimately responsible for your production,
the process, materials, the space, and the people in your company.
You have a responsibility to those who have worked in the space before
you to protect the space and its integrity. You have the responsibility
to those who will work in the space after you, (next week or perhaps
the next semester or year) to leave the space better than you found
it.
Respect the space, the systems, theatre and house management, and your
company. Respect especially the personal space and time of each person
involved with the production.
Schedule is due one week before load in to your PDTD as named on the Nue Mue board
Appointment held with the faculty TD at least one week before load
in.
Initialed Rider then passed to your PDTD.
Program information is due one week before show to student production
manager.
STUDENT TD (PDTD)
You will have one PDTD assigned to your show. S/he is your “primary
technical director”. In some cases due to scheduling conflicts, PDTDs
may share the TD duties for your production. Regardless, you will be
notified who is your primary PDTD.
The duties of the PDTD are as follows: to supervise load-ins, strikes, performances, and any rehearsals involving the use of the technical systems, including dry techs, and dark/quiet time for writing cues/setting sound levels; to maintain a safe and productive environment; to maintain the house equipment; and most importantly to assist the director in finding safe and creative ways to add full technical support to his/her production.
FACULTY TD
Your faculty TD must first approve your technical rider before the production
can go into technical rehearsals in the space. Any and all concerns
with your production that cannot be solved by your student technical
director (PDTD) should be brought to the faculty TD’s attention.
_____ Give list of all students who auditioned and the names of your cast to student production manager
_____ Purchase script for every cast member
_____ Find designer/crew
_____ Discuss technical schedule with other director(s)
_____ Inform cast/crew ASAP of tentative tech schedule
_____ Fill out Technical Rider
_____ Create a ground plan
_____ Get copy of light plot from designer
_____ Meet with faculty TD AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO LOAD-IN
_____ Give paperwork to PDTD ASAP after meeting with faculty TD
_____ Give program information to student production manager at least one week prior to show.
_____ Discuss schedule with PDTD ASAP
_____ Remove costumes/props/set pieces from Pipe Dreams within 24 hours of final performance.
If you have any questions, concerns, or experience a problem with these
guidelines or the process, please see the faculty TD.
Contact Information:
David Dawson |
Faculty TD |
217-420-6683 |
ddawson@millikin.edu |
Brian Blankenship |
PDTD |
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bblankenship@mail.millikin.edu |
Stephanie Dietrich |
PDTD |
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skdietrich@millikin.edu |
Emily FitzPatrick |
Student PM |
757-288-5584 |
efitzpatrick@millikin.edu |
Lt. Deania Luthy |
Safety Officer |
217-424-6388 |
dluthy@mail.millikin.edu |