If there is an emergency during rehearsal or performance call Campus Police (3133). Inform Campus Police of the emergency and if they deem necessary, they will call the Fire Department (911).
Emergencies During Performance
- It is the House Manager's responsibility to notify audience members, cast, and crew of any emergency situation and to take charge of an evacuation. During potentially dangerous weather, the House Manager and the Faculty/Staff on Duty will monitor the emergency weather radio for severe weather announcements. Anyone in the cast or crew who notices a dangerous situation such as smoke or fire should notify the ASM/Deck Captain, who immediately notifies the Stage Manager, or the House Manager. The Stage Manager notifies the House Manager of the situation. The House Manager (or Stage Manager if the House Manager is unavailable) will initiate the emergency procedures described above by calling Campus Police and following their instructions.
- If evacuation is necessary, the House Manager will contact the Stage Manager to halt the performance. The Stage Manager will contact the ASM/Deck Captain to notify cast and crew members who are backstage. The Stage Manager will have the house lights brought to full and the House Manager will step out onstage from the wings to announce the emergency and the evacuation procedure. If the House Manager is not available, the Stage Manager will make the announcement over the in-house public address system. Those on stage should stop their performance when they see the house lights come up and the House Manager appear on stage or hear the Stage Manager's announcement. The performers should calmly leave the stage from the nearest exit.
- Panic should be avoided at all costs. The cast and crew should assist the House Manager or Stage Manager in evacuating the audience by holding doors, helping elderly or physically challenged patrons, and maintaining a sense of calm professionalism.
- If a fire breaks out onstage during a performance, the ASM/Deck Captain or another designated crew member should make sure performers and scenery are clear and lower the fire curtain immediately.
- If a patron suffers an apparent heart attack, has a seizure, or undergoes any similar medical emergency, the House Manager should quickly go to that patron and assess the situation. If the patron desires and is able to leave the auditorium, the House Manager should assist him or her out and then initiate the emergency procedures described above by calling Campus Police and following their instruction. If the patron is unable or unwilling to leave the theatre, the House Manager should contact the Stage Manager to stop the performance and initiate the emergency procedures. The Stage Manager follows the steps outlined above of notifying cast and crew, bringing house lights up, and so on. Cast members on stage should calmly leave the stage via the nearest exit. The House Manager should make a very brief announcement when the house lights come up that there will be a slight delay in the performance.
- If the emergency situation is rectified within a reasonable amount of time, the performance may continue. The House Manager should contact the Stage Manager and restart the performance as if it were the beginning of the show or after intermission. The Stage Manager chooses an appropriate moment prior to the point where the performance was halted and notifies the cast and crew. The Stage Manager makes sure all cast and crewmembers are set for restarting the performance and notifies the House Manager. After getting the go-ahead from the Stage Manager, the House Manager should step onto the stage from the wings and announce that the performance will begin in three minutes. The Stage Manager gives the cast and crew a three minute call followed by a two minute places call and the performance begins again. The Stage Manager should follow the typical house to half, house out, lights up pattern used at the beginning of the show.
- Again, panic should be avoided. In the unfortunate instance that a performance must be stopped, the cast and crew should remain calm and focused in order to be ready to recommence on short notice.
Fire/Disaster Evacuation Procedure
When the fire alarm sounds, ALL people are to evacuate the building. During productions or work calls, after evacuating the building all theatre personnel should meet at the bell tower. Students, faculty, and staff may return to the building when it is deemed safe to do so by competent authority.
Fire Speech: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a problem backstage. We don't' think it's serious, but for your safety and our piece of mind, we'd like to clear the theatre at this time. Staff members will be at the exits to assist you and we will resume the performance as soon as we can. Thank you.
Severe Weather Procedure
Before or during performances, upon hearing the severe weather siren or being notified of a tornado alert, the House Manager notifies patrons and directs them to shelter in the central hallway in the basement until the all-clear is given. If a performance must be interrupted, the procedure outline above should be followed. The House Manager contacts Campus Police to inform them of the situation and to receive further instructions
Weather Speech: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a weather emergency. We are going to file out of the theatre to the basement as directed by rows. Remain calm and we will begin the evacuation immediately. Thank you.
In the event of a real tornado, earthquake or other natural disaster, the stage manager and booth crew should evacuate themselves as soon as possible. Do not stage to assist with the audience. Emergency professionals suggest as many staff members get out of a large auditorium space as quickly as they can. Once the emergency is over the event staff that knows the building may be needed to search for survivors. As stark as this may sound, it is the best policy in the wake of a serious weather disaster.
Power Shortage: If a power shortage were to occur, the emergency lights throughout the theatre would come on. When this happens, the ASM should go out and inform the audience that we will wait to see if power can be restored in a timely manner. If this fails to happen, the audience will be told the performance is over for the evening. Lock-up the theatre as normal and release the cast and crew.
Medical Procedure
Medical Emergency Speech: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a problem backstage. If there is a doctor in the house could you please report to the lobby as quickly as possible? We are going to pause for just a few minutes. Please remain in your seats and we will resume the performance as soon as possible. Thank you