Tech Crew

Not Interested in Acting? Join Tech Crew!
Our tech program gives students the opportunity to participate in ThunderRidge Theatre productions while remaining behind the scenes. Members of the tech crew aid our productions by constructing sets, designing and creating props and costumes, and programing and controlling sound and lights. For more information join us for our tech meeting at the beginning of the school year. For any questions please contact our tech director, Kimberly Chlumsky at kimberly.chlumsky@dcsdk12.org.

Stage Crew Rules and Regulations

The following should be considered as guidelines for working in the theatre stage or construction areas. The rules have been written and are enforced for your safety, and must be followed at all times. If you have any questions regarding the safe operation of any tool or method of construction, please feel free to ask the Faculty before using the tool or construction method. You are responsible to know and understand all of the following.

Proper Attire

All persons working in theatre work areas shall be properly attired. This includes long pants and close-toed shoes. At no time will anyone wearin a dress, shorts, or sandals be allowed to work in any designated construction areas as none of these garments give sufficient protection to the wearer. Long hair is to be tied back to avoid any chance of getting it caught in moving machinery.

Protection Devices

In addition to proper attire (see above) the work area is equipped with personal protective equipment. Use of such equipment is not optional and shall be used at all times when performing associated activities.

• Safety glasses shall be worn when operating any power tool

• Ear protection is available to all students and staff in the shop areas at all times. It is up to the student or staff members to determine when this protection is necessary.

• Gloves are available and may be worn when transporting lumber (to avoid splinters) or working with certain non-power tools.

• Gloves shall not be worn when using power tools such as drills, saws, etc. Gloves can become quickly entangled in these tools causing serious injuries.

• Breathing protection is available on an as needed basis. It is up to the student or staff members to determine when this protection is necessary.

• Brooms, dustpans, mops, and other cleaning supplies are some of the most important safety devices in the theater. They shall be used correctly and often.

Safety Practices

• Every attempt should be made to kee your work area clean and organized. This means periodically sweeping up excessive waste and returning unnecessary tools to their proper places.

• No soft drinks or food are permitted in any area of the theater other than designated snack areas.

• Horseplay is forbidden.

• No person shall work in the shop while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Prescribed drugs which could cause drowsiness, lightheadedness, or disorientation should also not be used. Any student using such prescribed medications should notify the Faculty in charge. Any person removed from the shops for the above reason shall not be allowed to return unless authorized by the Faculty.

• Any time that you have a problem with a tool or machine, bring it to the attention of the staff so they may assist you. Never attempt to repair or adjust any machines. If a machine or tool is accidentally damaged, bring it to the attention of the staff. Please do not try to hide or cover any damages.

• Any tool is to be used only for the purpose for which it was designed

• Defective tools must not be used. Turn them in for repair/replacement.

• No electronic type or radio/cassette/CD/iPod headphones are to be worn while in the theater and shop spaces

• At no time shall any studen opperate or attempt to operate ANY power tool without permission of the Technical Director or authorized faculty member.

Work Requiring Training

Many of the processes and systems in the theatre complex pose hazards while in use. Before students and staff are permitted to use them, they must be trained and approved by the Technical Director or appropriate supervisor of the area. These processes include but are not limited to:

• Use of power tools: table saw, stationary drill press, portable drills and drill motors, bench and portable grinders, pneumatic powered nailers and staplers, power miter box or chop saw, or circular saw.

• Theatre Systems: stage rigging and fly systems, lighting control boards, sound control boards, or hydraulic lift (Genie Lift).

Some Guidelines for Using Tools

• Before operating make sure all wrenches, chuck keys, or other foreign materials are clear of the machine's work area

• Dangling necklaces or large rings, long loose scarves or loose sleeves should not be worn in the shop as they may become entangled in moving machinery

• Inspect tools before use for any defects such as frayed wires, or damaged hand tools. Remove defective tools from service and have them repaired or replaced.

• Only use power tools that are properly grounded with a 3-pronged plug or that are double-insulated. A power tool with a missing grounding prong shall be considered damaged and be removed from use until repaired.

• Never cary a power tool by its cord. Avoid wrapping cords too tightly around tools for storage to prevent damage to strain relief grommets.

• Unplug power tools before loading them, changing blades or bits, making adjustments, or cleaning them. Follow all monufacturer's instructions for handling and adjusting.

• Defective, damaged, or unsafe equipment must be removed immediately from service

• Dull tools are unsfe anc can damage operator or work. maintain your tools and always use sharp cutting blades. If a tool seems dull, report it immediately to the Technical Director.

• Always make sure that all power tools are turned off and the electrical power disconnected before leaving the machine. Never leave an unattended machine running.

• Never alter or remove any machine or blade guards or disable any safety feature.

• IF YOU DON'T KNOW - ASK! There is no such thing as a dumb question

Safety Rules for Lighting and Sound Areas

• Never change a lamp, repair an instrument, or work on any piece of electrical equipment while it is still plugged in.

• Wear sturdy, rubber soled shoes and appropriate work clothing to all work calls

• Eating, smoking, or drinking near the light board, sound board, and lighting equipment is prohibited.

• Do not work unsupervised, especially when working on the lift or on ladders. Never work alone in the theater.

• Before going up a ladder or on the lift, empty your pockets of all loose change, keys, etc.

• Use wooden or fiberclass ladder, not metal, when focusing on doing any electrical work

• All adjustable (crescent) wrenches or other tools to be used must have a safety tie line attatched to your body (or to the lift when working on the lift) when working over the stage or the house.

• Do not use any equipment or perfor any tasks that have not been explained to you by the Technical Director or their designee

• At the end of each work day, all tools and materials are to be returned to their proper places and all areas left clean

• Be sure that you know the locations of all fire extinguishers and know all shut down procedures in the event of fire or other emergency.

Safety Notices and Bulletins

• Safety Bulletins will be posted on the Crew Bulletin Board just inside the tool room.

• Safety rules for the major power tools used in stage craft are posted here.

• No persons will be allowed to operate any power tool until trained and approved by the Technical Director.

• All required safety rules must be followed at all times.

• It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all safety information whether in this document, given as a separate handout or posted on the bulletin board. 

• Communication: no safety concern is unimportant. All personnel and students within the department are encouraged to bring such concerns to the faculty and staff, and especially to the Technical Director. In no way will doing so reflect badly on or be held against the person making the report. Contributing to the health and safety of all personnel is everyone's responsibility.

Access

A theatre space, especially the stage area, is essentially a large machine for producing plays. It contains many hazards, especially to those unfamiliar with the mechanical and physical aspects of a theater. Therefore:

• During productions,no unauthorized personnel (i.e. anyone other than cast and crew) shall be allowed backstage during any performance between call time and 15 minutes after final curtain.

• No one is allowed to access the stage area unless supervisory personnel (faculty, staff, or authorized student supervisors) are present.

• No one shall be permitted to work alone in the theatre space. In case of injury or incident, there must be another person present to render aid or seek assistance.

• No one shall be permitted to operate any power tools in the shop spaces unless and authorized staff member is present.

First Aid, Accidents, and Reporting

• A first aid kit is maintained in the tool room. This may be accessed as needed to render first aid. The kit is intended for first aid only.

• Any incidents requiring first aid are to be reported immediately to the Technical Director if present and/or the faculty/staff members in charge of the area.

• In the event of a serious or life-threatening incident, you should call 911 immediately. The Technical Director or faculty/staff members in charge should then be contacted as soon as practical. Render whatever first aid can be applied until emergency services arrive to relieve you.