2023 MARYLAND THESPIAN FESTIVAL

MAIN STAGE SERIES
REQUIREMENTS & REGULATIONS

ORIENTATION
Main stage directors and stage managers must attend the safety training / orientation with the Clarice and Maryland Thespians Technical Directors at 10:30AM on Friday, January 13, 2023.

TIMING
Productions are allowed a maximum of two hours to load in and one hour to strike. Productions are not to exceed a maximum two-hour run time, including a ten-minute intermission.

BLOCKING / CHOREOGRAPHY
All blocking and choreography must remain on stage at all times. For clarity, students may not exit the stage to enter the audience during the performance. In addition, it is not possible for students to enter through the audience and reach the stage. Refrain from handling or touching any curtains or masking material.

SETS
The floor surface is double-sprung black masonite. Detailed specifications and a ground plan can be found online at the venue’s website or by clicking the link above. There is a stage-level crossover hallway measuring 6’ 2” wide, 78’ 2” long accessible through doors upstage left and upstage right. There is no painting or texturing of the Kay Theatre venue or floor. If damage does occur, a restoration of the Kay floor black may be required of your Troupe during your strike process. You will not be allotted additional strike time should this occur and therefore should plan accordingly. The stage floor is masonite and painted black. Screwing into the floor is allowed in the Kay Theatre. Audience side boxes are required ADA-compliant seating and cannot be used for any other purpose. Any items placed in the house will require approval from The Clarice Technical Director and the Maryland Thespians Production Coordinator. Scenery can not be built in the path of the fire curtain. The fire curtain is closed every night after rehearsals and performances. Anything mounted in/to the proscenium towers must not interfere with the normal functioning of the fire curtain. All Troupes must provide their own crew for load-in, strike, and performance. All Troupes must provide all the necessary materials required of their production, including but not limited to lumber, power tools, and cleaning supplies.

ORCHESTRA PIT
The pit is equipped with one fixed-speed hydraulic orchestra lift. When the lift is in the up position at stage level, the playing area is increased by 8' downstage of the edge of the apron, measured at the curtain line. When the lift is in the down position at pit level, the pit provides a playing area of XX feet and can hold XX musicians.

LINESET SCHEDULE
The Kay Theater has 72 linesets on 6” centers. Each batten is 54’ 2” long and has a grid height of 62’ 3”. Each lineset has a 1000 pound capacity. Lineset #6 is a dedicated motorized electric. Lineset #68 is a motorized lineset. Troupes must leave at least 12” (two linesets) open and free on either side of any electric. More space will be needed if any intelligent lights are on the electric. A Lineset Schedule is available.

MASKING / SOFT GOODS
Stage left, and stage right masking tabs can be flown in and out but are not adjustable in any other way. The main drape has 150% fullness and a footprint depth of about 1' 6". It can fly in and out as well as open and close as a traveler. See Lineset Schedule for additional Kay Theatre rep soft goods.

LIGHTING
Troupes are highly encouraged to utilize the Kay Theatre rep plot. Troupes may supplement the rep plot by hanging additional lighting instruments so long as they do not interfere with or require the removal or alteration of the original rep plot. The hanging and removal of additional lighting equipment is the responsibility of your Troupe and will need to take place during the allotted load-in and strike time. House & Work Lights are controllable via Strand 550i or Premier House Lighting System, located at the stage manager panel backstage right. Electric details:

CONTROL
Strand 550i console
1500 Channels, 500 attributes, 54 Submasters
Two 14' monitors

DIMMERS
CD80 SV
476--2.4kW

INVENTORY

317-750W ETC Source Four Spotlights:
14 - 5 degree
24 - 10 degree
75 - 19 degree
100 - 26 degree
80 - 36 degree
24 - 50 degree
59 - Fresnel Spotlight
44 - 2kW 8" Strand Fresnelite
15 - 150W 3" Altman
88 - Source Four PAR 575W
18 - 1kW 14" Altman Focusing Scoop
10 - 6 lamp 3 circuit 1 kW Altman Ground Row
14 - 3 lamp 3 circuit 1 kW Altman Far Cyc
18 - 3 circuit L&E Ministrip (MR-16 75W)

FOLLOW SPOTS
2 - 2kW Xenon Lycian 1290XLT

PROJECTIONS
There are 2 Epson L1505 12k laser projectors available for use in two configurations. Venue staff will handle the blending and mapping of the projectors and provide an HDMI cable for groups to connect their computer to the system.

Configuration 1: Rear Projection
In this configuration, projections are projected from mid-stage. The playing space in this configuration from the lip of the stage to the mid-stage curtain is 22’6”.

Configuration 2: Front Projection
In this configuration, projections are projected from the balcony rail. The playing space in this configuration from the lip of the stage to the mid-stage curtain is 32’.

AUDIO
Basic announcements and audio playback can be run from the stage manager's panel backstage right. Live sound is generally run from a mix position in row L in the house, approximately 40 feet from the stage. Troupes will have access to a mixing console, 15 wireless microphones, a Mac laptop with a Q-Lab license, and two god mics – 1 at the stage manager's position and one wireless. In addition, there are four wireless clear-com intercom systems available for use and approximately 5-7 wired clear-com intercom systems.

PIANO POLICY
Venue pianos cannot be moved by anyone but Clarice Production Management.

PROPS / PROP WEAPONS
All props must be obtained and provided by the performing Troupe. All prop weapons intended for stage use require written notice of approval by the Clarice and Maryland Thespians Technical Directors. Troupes may use a prop weapon if essential to the story so long as the following criteria are met: 

The Troupe Director has informed Maryland Thespians and The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center of the need to use a prop weapon two weeks before Festival begins and has received approval;

The weapon is manufactured by an entertainment properties manufacturer with proof of purchase;

the prop weapon does not have any moving parts;

Guns: No percussion firearms are allowed. Guns must be non-firing or blank-firing block barreled;

Swords and Knives: Must be tempered steel or tempered aluminum, dulled, and free from tampering.

Please note that Maryland Thespians staff and/or venue staff will ask to inspect all prop weapons before the performance. All prop weapons will be stored in a safe location by the venue until the performance. Students are not allowed to carry or transport the prop gun to or from the performance venue. Unauthorized use, possession, or storage of any unauthorized weapons on The Clarice premises or at Maryland Thespian-sponsored activities is prohibited. The use of aerosol products, powder, glitter (in any form including decorative use and/or as body art), confetti, and other similar substances are not allowed. The use of non-staining food and liquids is permitted so long as they are entirely cleaned from any and all surfaces before the expiration of your time to strike. Again, Troupes must bring their own cleaning materials and supplies in the quantities necessary to achieve a full strike before the allotted time expires.

COSTUMES / DRESSING ROOMS
Three duv covered 4' x 8' bifold flats are available to create quick change booths backstage right. Two 4' mirrors are also available. All troupes will have access to the venue's dressing rooms. There are four soloist dressing rooms, each equipped with four makeup stations, a sink, and a shower. In addition, there are two chorus dressing rooms, each equipped with 15 makeup stations, an ironing board, sinks, and space for 20 performers. The green room is adjacent to the dressing room area and includes a sink, refrigerator, and several sofas and chairs. All performers and technicians involved with the performance must either be on-stage assisting with load-in or strike or remain in their assigned dressing rooms/green room until the performance begins or load-in/strike has been completed. Troupes should take into account the time requirements of elaborate pre-show needs. Restrooms are adjacent to each respective chorus dressing room and are equipped with shower facilities. Though not accessible by the audience, the restrooms are for general use and are located in a classroom hallway.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special effects that are pyrotechnic in nature, such as open flame, candles, matches, butane lighters, or other potential fire hazards, are strictly prohibited.

TROUPE DIRECTOR / ADULT PARTICIPATION
Troupe directors and/or other adults registered for Festival may assist in any fashion but are not permitted to act or serve as a prop during the performance. While we encourage as much student operation of the production as possible, adults (including Troupe Directors) may contribute to any technical element of the production necessary, including the operation of the lighting and soundboards. Each adult or student involved with the production must be a registered delegate of the 2023 Maryland Thespian Festival.