The CRLT Theatre Program can work within a wide range of spaces. Many of our sketches can be performed in a classroom with minimal tech, although we are also able to stage our sketches in larger auditoriums or traditional theatre spaces. Our team will work with you to ensure that the performance space you select can accommodate your chosen performance and anticipated audience.
There are several questions you will need to consider before finalizing a space selection.
Click the link for each question for additional information.
- How many people will attend the event?
- How will audience members interact with each other and the performance?
- Will the audience's view of the performance space or facilitator be blocked?
- Will any of your audience members need accommodations to fully participate in the session?
- What are the acoustics of the space? Will the audience be able to hear the actors and each other without amplification?
- Does the room have a writing surface (whiteboard or chalkboard)?
- Does the room have a resident projector?
- How should the space be arranged?
- When is the performance space available?
- Are we allowed to serve food during the performance?
- Is there a nearby room that can serve as the actors' green room?
How many people will attend the event?
The space you select will obviously need to accommodate the size of your anticipated audience. Be mindful, though, that there is almost always a drop-off between the audience you target (and even those who RSVP) and those who will actually attend an event. You want your venue to closely match the size of you audience. A space that is too large for your group can dampen conversation and unnecessarily dissipate the energy of the performance. In large auditoriums with more seats than the anticipated audience size, we recommend "roping off" the back rows and encouraging people to sit towards the front of the space.
How will audience members interact with each other and the performance?
Often one of the primary goals of a Players' session is to encourage conversations between attendees about the issues they see in our performances. When deciding how to arrange audience seating, carefully consider the goals for your event. We have found that round tables set in a crescent style are often best for promoting discussion and allowing an optimal view of the performance.
Will the audience's view of the performance space or facilitator be blocked?
An audience member who cannot adequately see the performance will understandably disengage. Choosing a performance space that provides all audience members a clear view of the performance is essential. Rooms that have support pillars are not always conducive to presentations of this kind. Another common obstacle to visibility is actually the heads of other audience members. Larger audiences may require the performance to be elevated on platforming.
Will any of your audience members need accommodations to fully participate in the session?
The CRLT Players are committed to cultivating inclusive learning environments, and we are happy to work with you to meet the needs of the audience. It is CRLT's practice to invite participants to request accommodations as they register for events. We strongly encourage external clients to do the same. Being made aware of participant needs in advance (specifically as they relate to accessibility) help us to better prepare for our session. For example, we may need to reserve a particular area of the event space for a sign language interpreter or CART. Alternately, we might need to restage a performance to allow for better visibility for lipreading.
It is almost impossible to assess the acoustic quality of a room without being in it. All of our performers are trained to project their voices, but some spaces -- because of size, ceiling height, design, or equipment noise -- "swallow" sound. We will do our best to troubleshoot sound problems when we arrive to the space, but it is imperative that you visit the space or speak with the resident A/V specialist well in advance of our arrival so that you can anticipate any issues that we may encounter. Depending on the size of your audience and the space that you choose, it may be necessary for you to secure lavalier microphones for the actors and facilitator, table microphones for the performance space, and/or a wireless hand held mic or stand microphones for the audience's use. As a general rule, it is useful to consider amplifying actors' voices if an audience of 60 or more is expected. The Theatre Program does have its own sound equipment and can travel with it when necessary. It is often, however, more cost-effective to use on-site equipment.
Does the room have a writing surface (whiteboard or chalkboard)?
Our facilitator will require a writing surface during the portion of the session that she leads. If one is not available in the space, we ask that you provide a moveable whiteboard or two flip charts (with adhesive paper) and easels.
Does the room have a resident projector?
A limited number of our sketches require projections. Please check with us to see if the performance you have selected will require projection capabilities.
How should the space be arranged?
Send any information you have about the selected venue (e.g. room dimensions, diagram of the space, photos, etc.), as well as any event-specific needs (e.g. food/drink table, registration table) to the Players' Performance Coordinator. She will create a space plan for your event that you can share with your event organizer.
When is the performance space available?
Our company will need to visit the space prior to the start of the event to rehearse and make any necessary changes to the room's arrangement. Our preference is to use the hour immediately preceding the performance for this purpose. Some sketches will require a lengthier setup time. Please contact the Performance Coordinator to verify the amount of time necessary to set up/rehearse for your event.
Is there a nearby room that can serve as the actors' green room?
Our actors will need a room close to the performance space where they can do final preparation once the audience begins to arrive. This room will also be used for a company debrief at the end of the day. We ask that you reserve this space from 1 hour prior to the first event to 30 minutes following the end of the last event. If this space cannot be locked, it may be necessary for your organization to provide a staff member to safeguard the company's belongings while they are working in the performance space.
See also:
Identifying Goals for Your Event
Securing an Audience for Your Performance
Arranging Travel and Lodging for the Players' Visit
