Theatre Useage Guidlines

SPACE USAGE GUIDELINES FOR THE CAMBRIDGE FAMILY YMCA THEATRE  09-19-06.

This document is designed to provide information as well as guidelines for renters of YMCA Theatre. It contains the following segments:

Contact Information
YMCA Community
Space Access and Information
Care of YMCA Theatre
Care of the Blacks
Lighting equipment/location

(1) CONTACT INFORMATION

Below is contact information for a number of people who can help you if you have an issue related to space usage.

Please contact Frank Stevens at 617-661-9622 x710 or email frankstevens@cambymca.org if interested in renting the Cambridge Family YMCA Theatre for a function or performance.

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(2) YMCA COMMUNITY

The YMCA is host to a diverse number of groups. The building houses an after-school program, a giant gym and Central House, which houses 120 semi-permanent residents. Here are some notes about how to share the space:

1. Afterschool
      The afterschool is located very close to the theater. Often, groups of children will be led through the back of the theater or parents will walk through to collect their children. An aisle must be left clear of debris and other objects. Because of the presence of children be careful of profanity (until after 6:30pm).
2. Administrative Offices
      The administrative offices are also located very close to the theater. Please be respectful of their proximity during business hours.
3. Central House
      The theater is surrounded (above and on two sides) by boarding rooms in Central House. Please be considerate of the residents when doing work in the theater, or loading in/out, after 10:00pm. If you have a problem with noise caused by a resident, contact the front desk

(3) SPACE ACCESS AND INFORMATION

Renters are allowed 24 hour access to the theater. Please following these guildlines:

1. Entering the building
      All renters must provide a list of their personnel, and anyone else who may need access to the theatre. This list must be provided on the first day of the rental.

   The double doors that lead to the theater from the front entrance must remain closed when not is use. When personnel enter the building, they should do so through the front desk and take the elevator up to the theater and introduce yourselves to the front desk staff. When opened (for show-times or load in/out) the entrance must be supervised by a member of your staff. Do not leave these doors open for convenience. Under no circumstances should any of the fire doors be propped open.

2. Box office
      The upstairs box office is accessed by the maroon door to the side of the box office or through the after school. Renters will be provided a key.
   
   Green Room/Bathroom
      Inside the lighting storage closet is the key to the green room (one floor down the stairs in back of the stage) and the performers bathroom. This is the bathroom that must be used at all times (even during rehearsal times) by renters. The afterschool bathrooms are for audience only. Loss of the green room key will result in partial loss of cleaning deposit.

(4) CARE OF THE CAMBRIDGE FAMILY YMCA THEATRE

1. Carpet
      Renters should note that if the carpet is significantly damaged or soiled during a production, the renter will be responsible for repairing or cleaning it.

      During load-in, all set-pieces, props, related travel boxes etc. MUST be placed on top of drop clothes or tarps.
   
   Space
      It is important that the renters respect the historic architecture of the space.

2.    No painting can be done in the house. Plan to have all painting done before you get to the YMCA Theatre. If you need to paint in the space, do so on the stage. Brushes, rollers, etc. should be washed backstage and not carried through the house.

      Do not use any materials or substances in the theater that are classified as toxic. This includes such things as spray paint and oil based floor paint. Any construction that is going to generate dust should be done onstage or backstage.

      No metal fasteners (such as screws or nails) may be put into the ornamental woodwork of the house. This includes the balcony and the proscenium.

      Renters may put screws into the deck.

      Do not apply any form of tape to the walls or the fixed seating in the balcony. Their surfaces are very easy to pull off.

      No tapes other than gaffer's tape should be used on any other surfaces (i.e. balcony floor), with the exclusion of the deck. If you require the use of other tape (such as glow tape), it must be underlayed with gaffer tape.
   
   Pyrotechnics ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE THEATRE

(5) CARE OF THE BLACKS

   The borders, legs and fasciae can be configured as needed for your company's needs. Use care when moving or removing these curtains.

   Under no circumstances should staples, nails or screws be put through the blacks. Do not use gaffers tape on the blacks.

   To fasten the blacks, use binder clips, spring clamps or safety pins. If you are removing the blacks for storage, please carefully fold and store them in the hamper.

   Do not use the hamper for storage of anything other than the blacks.

   When reinstalling borders, take care to ensure that they are installed right side up (grain going down).

(6) LIGHTING EQUIPMENT/LOCATION

1. House/Backstage Lights

      The light switch to backstage is immediately to the left of the door to backstage left.

      At the top of the backstage left stairs are the switches that control the fluorescent lights in the 3 three upstage rooms.

      The switches for the chandeliers, 1st floor sconces, balcony lights and aisle lights are located backstage left next to the dimmer boxes.

      The switch for the lighting fixtures under the balcony are located outside the hall to the left of the entrance door.

   Also outside the hall to the left of the entrance door is a grey fuse box that controls other lights for the building. ONLY USE THE "UPSTAIRS HALL LITES" AND "DOWNSTAIRS HALL LITES" SWITCHES TO CONTROL HALLWAY LIGHTS. Use of any other switches in that box may result in loss of power to other portions of the building.

      At the end of the evening, the ghostlight must be lit, onstage, and the lighting fixtures under the balcony (controlled from outside the hall) should be on. ALL OTHER LIGHTS MUST BE OFF.

2. Stage Lights
      YMCA Theatre comes pre-hung and focused with a house plot. the lights may be configured  to suit your needs, as well as supplement them with the Y's additional instruments or your own.

      Renters are responsible for making sure that the House Plot is restored to focused condition. If you plan to move or refocus lights, the Y theatre staff must approve your plan.
   
      If you change any of the color in the lamps, you are responsible for making sure that the appropriate color gets back to appropriate lamp. It is recommended that you remove and carefully store the gel for each lamp that you are moving to make this task easier when you strike.   The renter is responsible for any damage.

      The light-board is stored in the closet backstage left. The lock is a combination lock into which the combination must be impressed, the lock is pushed in, and then pulled out.  The board must be stored and locked in this closet after each performance.

      Lighting equipment stored in the backstage area should be left in a neat and orderly manner. If you need to move it, make sure that it gets back to where it came from.

      Please document and notify the TD of any damage or trouble that you have with any of the instruments.