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Auditorium Staff
Doctor Larry A Brechner - Doctor of Fine Arts in Theatre Studies

 

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About the Auditorium Staff
The Auditorium Staff's purpose is to provide a well trained student staff, under the direction of the Auditorium Director, to service the various needs of the auditorium/theater facility users, whether they are within the school system, or outside commercial/community users. Because the Auditorium Director can actually supervise and participate in a limited number of functions during shows, by using effective student leadership, he can oversee many more functions, plus provide students with good technical theater and leadership opportunities. Auditorium Staff members work in several fields of service which include:

TECHNICAL - This field includes two major areas: Lighting and Sound/video work. In lighting, the student learns basic housekeeping of the lights to setting-up for various concerts, to actually design for more complex productions. In sound, they learn microphone placement, mixer operation, wireless microphone operation, and good sound technique. Also, sound learns recording techniques of live performances, plus working with video equipment.

STAGE - These students learn operation of counterweight system, curtain, scenic and people movement. Also, they learn to police and secure the stage areas during performances, and check stage after productions for future readiness. They must set-up the stage with the proper equipment and effectively move this equipment as needed for each production.

HOUSE - These students are the first link with the public, acting as ushers, box office staff, and concession functions of a show. The concession stand, which is used to finance the Staff awards program, is run during all feasible shows. The house crew will check the auditorium to make certain that it is clean, carpet is swept, and areas roped-off or reserved as needed. Also they will handle any incident or emergency in the audience that may arise during a performance.

Click here to download an application form: 
Application        Pledge Form

MUNSTER AUDITORIUM STAFF
       2015-2016 (Winter/Spring)

Auditorium Director
Larry A Brechner

       Executives

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Paige Mecyssine

PRODUCTION  MANAGER
Daniel Cappo

     Directors / Managers

LIGHTING DIRECTOR
Matt McCraw

SOUND DIRECTOR
TBA
 

STAGE MANAGERS
Abby Kiesling
T T Shinkan
Megan Eickleberry
 

HOUSE MANAGERS
Garrett Glover
Jacob Levy

 

     Assistants

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS
Joe Bellahchen
Ryan Leahy

Ethan Levy

 

STAGE ASSISTANTS
Jenna Cappo
Ally Shinkan

 

ASST HOUSE MANAGERS
Hannah Levy
Amy McDunn
 

 

 (2/25/16)

AUDITORIUM STAFF STRUCTURE

APPRENTICES - This is the entry-level position for any student who is interested in becoming a part of Auditorium Staff. It gives the Auditorium Director and the student executives time to evaluate a student's performance and trust. We usually give an initial orientation to our apprentices at the beginning of each semester, and at other times when needed, to make them familiar with the facility, plus establish the ground rules. Our student Crew Executives and Supervisors conduct these tours. The requirements to advance to the next level in Auditorium Staff are:

    1. must have at least forty hours of work on Staff

    2. serve a 2 - 4 month (1 semester) apprenticeship

    3. work once in all basic auditorium fields (Technical, Stage, House)

    4. have "C" average, and no school citizenship problems, & must show the director their report card every grading period

    5. student should demonstrate interest, and be trustworthy

    6. understand structure of Auditorium Staff; chain-of-command

FULL CREW - is the first level of staff achievement, and with it comes the following privileges:

    1. may begin to train in specific crew fields under experienced students (lighting, sound, stage, advanced house, etc)

    2. has full voting privileges for Equus Trophy Awards, and eligible to receive Staff awards

    3. may serve in any level of production assignment as skill of the student permits

    4. may apply for advanced level Staff assignments (Assistant, Manager/Director or Executive) as experience permits

    5. may be paid for out-of-school rental/commercial shows

Students usually become Full Crew Members in the middle of their first year on Staff, and start training in one or more areas by working with experienced students. A student may stay active on Staff by working a minimum of 30 hours per year. However, the motivated students will want to advance to the next levels, and this is done by applying at the start of every semester (Sept, Jan, Jun) for these positions. A student is appointed to a position only for a semester (or summer) and must re-apply for it and justify holding that position. Of course, other students may apply and take the position. The director, who must select the best possible production team, of course decides these appointments.

ASSISTANTS (Technical Assistant (Lighting/Sound), Stage Assistant, and Assistant House Manager) This is the first level of crew appointment usually going to students who have at least one year of Staff experience. They must have a basic understanding of and experience in the field for which they are applying. They also must work well with the student who is the  Manager/Director in their field. This level is the training ground for future Staff managers/directors  and executives. Usually, two or three students are appointed in each position. Privileges and responsibilities include:

    1. priority over full crew members in getting critical or interesting production assignments

    2. may still cross train in other fields to encourage a broad based background in several fields

    3. may serve as acting supervisor (e.g. Lighting Director for a production) when experience permits

    4. must remain active in Staff working on a majority of the productions in schedule, and stay proficient in field

    5. may serve as assistant on individual productions in other fields for which qualified (Technical Asst. working stage)

DIRECTORS / MANAGERS (Lighting Director, Sound Director, Stage Managers, and House Manager)

This is the next level of Staff appointment, and unlike the Assistant level, only one student is appointed per position, except with Stage Manager (where multiple appointments are allowed because of nature of the assignments), Usually, these positions are restricted to students with two to three years experience (juniors or seniors) which have developed a definite skill in a field, and have risen to become leaders.

We stress leader, and not boss for these appointments. The student must be able to communicate with his/her Assistants, Crew, and the Apprentices, training them in this field and organizing specific production job assignments. Directors/Managers must coordinate with each other production information, crew assignments and other areas in order to make each production run efficiently.

Privileges and responsibilities:

    1. supervise the set-up, operation, and training within their field, of course being just and fair in treatment of all Assistants and Crew

    2. has priority in choice of production assignments, and is given first consideration for paying shows

    3. must be at almost every production, and those productions which Managers/Directors cannot be at, must make certain their field is covered by a qualified Assistant

    4. must make certain that equipment is properly stored, maintained, inventoried, and operated

    5. Managers/Directors check that Assistants and Crews are trained and current on the use of all equipment

    6. serve on Executive Committee to advise director on policy and help approve promotion of Apprentices to Full Crew

EXECUTIVES (Technical Director & Production Manager)

These are the top level positions on Staff, and generally only students with a full three years of experience (seniors) are considered. The Technical Director oversees lighting and sound areas, while the Production Manager oversees stage and house. These students work directly with the directors for all kinds of productions, both in school and outside rentals. This is a great responsibility, but the Staff Executives should represent the very best in talent, ability, leadership, They are responsible for making all productions run as professionally as possible, from the simplest concert, to the most complicated production. The must make certain that training is being carried out by the Managers/Directors, and aid this by training crew members themselves.

Privileges and responsibilities:

    1. all of the responsibilities of Managers/Directors

    2. design and direct the production methods

    3. coordinate all theater operations with director

    4. handle problems between Managers/Directors, Assistants, Crew, and Apprentices

    5. assign production responsibilities to every student in their respective fields

AWARD STRUCTURE    Equus Award
The purpose of the awards are to recognize and reward students at each stage of their participation on Staff, plus to recognize both outstanding achievements, as well as good basic participation over the time on Staff

FULL CREW Certificate - is given to a student who at the end of the year has completed their Apprenticeship on Staff during that year.

VARSITY LETTER and SERVICE AWARDS

The Varsity Letter requirements are:

  1. must achieve Full Crew Membership

  2. must earn at least 200 hours of staff time (as reflected on time card)

  3. must be active for a year after any lapses in activity

  4. must make a positive outstanding contribution to the staff by participation on productions

  5. academic, conduct grades must be a "C" average

  6. good school-wide citizenship – no current pledge violations

 

Varisty Letter

SERVICE BARS
These are awarded after each additional 100 hours earned after a student has earned their Varsity Letter, and represent an on going satisfactory participation.

SERVICE AWARDS
These are awarded for satisfactory participation at over certain periods of time, and meeting specific hour requirements:

SILVER SERVICE AWARD - 500 hours, two years service

GOLD SERVICE AWARD - 1000 hours, three years service

PLATINUM SERVICE AWARD - 1300 hours, four years service

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES
These are given to students who have shown some outstanding achievement during the year, which may not be classified into trophy category awards.

EQUUS TROPHY AWARDS
All active Full Crew members, who vote in various categories, select these. Within each category, the five students who receive the most votes become nominees, and the student with the most votes receive the trophy. The director, to make certain that the award process in fair oversees this process. 

The Equus award categories for Auditorium Staff are as follows:

BEST NEW STAFF MEMBER

   BEST LIGHTING ACHIEVEMENT

BEST SOUND ACHIEVEMENT

BEST STAGE ACHIEVEMENT

BEST HOUSE ACHIEVEMENT

                       OUTSTANDING STAFF MEMBER (graduating senior)

The Auditorium Staff members are also eligible in several of 
the Theatre Company Equus Award Categories including:

BEST SCENIC ACHIEVEMENT

BEST PRODUCTION ACHIEVEMENT

Equus Award

Equus Award

MUNSTER THESPIAN HONOR SOCIETY
Points are earned on productions as prescribed by the Sponsor's Guide for specific functions. The guide suggests 1 point for each 10 hours of excellent work on functions not specified in the guide. For non-theater Staff time, points will be considered at 4 points per 100 hours of excellent work time. These points however will be determined and awarded by the thespian sponsor as per the current rules of the local Thespian Chapter.
Membership in the honor society is awarded concurrently upon earning the Theatre Company Varsity Letter.
See MTC Home page for details.

MTC Varsity Letter

Click here to download an application form: 
    

                           

We accept the 
Lakeshore Public Media TV / 89.1FM Membercard
2 for 1 Tickets on all MTC / WWTC shows 
This is a reusable benefit 

For information contact the Auditorium Director
Larry A Brechner
8808 Columbia Av - Munster, IN 46321   
(219) 836-3200 x3248   
LAB@munaud.org             www.facebook.com/MunsterAuditorium

  Box Office on show nights  (219) 838-3255

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Dr. Larry A Brechner