School FAQ - TheaterWorksUSA

FAQ - School Performance

View performance space requirements.

Fill out the initial form here. The form will then go to a TheaterWorksUSA team member, who will respond with detailed information on how to photograph and measure your performance space.
Once we receive photos and the performance space width, depth, and height clearance, we will see which of our shows work best in your venue. If we have available dates in your area, we will respond with show date options.
Once you pick a show date and time, we will write up a contract, which secures your performance date. Please sign and return.
About one month prior to your show date, you will receive a form to confirm on-site contact information, green room, and hospitality. Please respond and send back.
About 1-2 weeks prior to your show date, the company’s stage manager will reach out with detailed information for your show day and ask for final confirmation on some pieces of information.
All of these pieces are necessary to book and maintain your show date.

We require a performance space on the ground floor. This can be an auditorium, gym floor, whatever you have. We need a stairless load in and load out of our set. All our sets have been designed to fit into a 30x30 ft. space, and some of our shows require a minimum of 14 ft. height clearance. The performance space, as well as any backstage or wing space, must be cleared and clean prior to our arrival. In your application, let us know what kind of performance space you have, and provide photos and measurements of the space.
Linked Here is a reference for how to measure your stage. We will need the stage width, stage depth, and stage height clearance. If you have backstage or wing space, those measurements should not be included in the total stage width or depth measurements, but that information is appreciated. Height clearance should be measured from the stage floor to the lowest hanging curtain, or lowest object hanging from the ceiling (such as lights), whichever is lower.
If you are performing in a gym or multipurpose room, please provide us with the room’s wall to wall measurements, and height clearance from the floor to the lowest hanging object that cannot be moved, such as lights. We will use part of the gym or multipurpose room for our stage and backstage areas, and the remainder of the space can be used for audience seating. If your space has an immovable object or storage that will be in the space, please include those measurements and photos as well (for example, if cafeteria tables will be folded up against a wall and will take up 5 ft. of space, include that so we can calculate the remaining floor space).
While all our productions are designed for a 30x30 ft. space with a 14 ft. height clearance, some of our productions can be flexible. Please provide us with the most accurate measurements you can, as well as clear photos, and we will let you know what we can do in your space.

If your set is too small for our mainstage shows, we have a few options.
- If your performance space is smaller than 30x30 ft., some of our productions can do a modified performance, called ‘adjusted staging’ performances. Each show has its own necessary modifications, but in general you can anticipate fewer set pieces and modified staging and choreography. While a modified performance might look a little different than our standard production, it will be the same script, have the same songs, and be the same quality of show. Modifying the show does not alter our fees. Please be aware that not all of our productions have a modified performance option, and our modified performances have their own space requirements; while each show’s space requirements are unique, we cannot guarantee that every adjusted staging performance can fit in every space. If you think you will require an adjusted staging performance, please note that in your application.
- Our other option is our Managed Artists. Our Managed Artists have, on average, smaller sets and can be more flexible with dates than our mainstage touring shows. However, availability is up to the artist themselves. Please indicate ‘Managed Artists’ on your ‘book a show’ form if you are interested in learning more.

We will arrive approximately 2.5 hours before our first performance. For example, if we perform at 10am, you can expect us to arrive at 7:30am unless otherwise specified by your company’s stage manager. The performance space should be cleared of all students during the entirety of our load in and spacing rehearsals. The company will have a 30min pre-show, which is when students or other audience members can enter the space. If you choose to have two performances, we need a minimum of 45 minutes in between performances. We will need about 1.5 hours to break down the set and load out after the show has finished. In total you can expect us to be at your school for about 5-8 hours.

We are in alignment with the Actors’ Equity Association covid-19 policies, which are subject to change. At the current time, all company members are fully vaccinated and will be masked if symptomatic or if a company member tests positive. If an actor tests positive, that actor may mask during the performance. We kindly request that unvaccinated staff do not work directly with our company (vaccination status need not be disclosed). AEA policy requires that the foot of the stage (or performance area, if using a gym/MPR floor) and the front row of the audience be at least 6ft apart. Company members and students should not be in close contact at any time.

An emergency contact is a number or email that we can reach in the event of a last-minute emergency, such as extreme weather or last minute illness in the company. Please provide a phone number (typically a cell phone number) and email address that will always be answered after work hours, and that can get a quick response if it is needed.
An on-site contact will act as the liaison between our company and the school. We will email this person about a few weeks prior to the show date to ‘advance’ the show, which is a final check in, so everyone is on the same page about what the performance day will look like. We will need a response to that email. This person will be on-site and available for the touring company the entire time we are in the school.

Your contract will be accompanied by a technical rider, which has detailed information on venue expectations. These can be seen at the bottom of each show page prior to receiving a contract (see all our show pages here.) Here are the highlights:
- We need a secure and private space where the company may change into costume, store personal belongings, and prepare for the performance. This space must be clean and ready prior to our arrival. We prefer this space to be as close to the stage as possible.
- We need multiple working electrical outlets in the performance space.
- We need a clean and comfortable restroom, preferably a restroom for adults only/not for student use. We would prefer a restroom as close to the performance space as possible.
- We require clean and potable water at no cost to the company; this can be in the form of water bottles, water cooler and cups, or filtered water fountains near the stage. Please keep in mind- if you are happy drinking that water, then so are we!
- Food, coffee, and hospitality are appreciated, though not mandatory. If you provide food, please be respectful of any allergies or dietary restrictions of which your stage manager informs you while advancing the show.

Let everyone on your school staff know that a performance will be happening on your show day.
Work with custodial staff to make sure the performance space and load in path, space that will be used as dressing rooms, and restrooms the company will use are cleared and clean prior to our arrival.
Ensure that we have space to park near the load-in door, and parking for our vans during the performance.
Take a look at our educational materials to work on incorporating the show into your curriculum.
Take time to practice audience etiquette with your students.
Make sure the on-site contact is fully informed and has full knowledge of the school and performance space, and make sure they will be available the entire time we are on site.
Arrange for the on-site contact and any school security to let the touring company enter the space on time (approximately 2.5 hr before the first performance).
Answer all communication (either through email or phone) from any TheaterWorksUSA employee prior to the show promptly.
Go through the processes necessary for payment, which may include sending TheaterWorksUSA additional paperwork, forwarding Purchase Order information, contacting your local BOCES, etc.

We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Some ways you can let us know how your students liked the show, and to further show your support, are:
- - Post on social media about your experience! We are @TheaterWorksUSA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. On TikTok we are @TheaterWorksUSAontour. We’d love to hear about the show, your experience and the experience of your students, and how you incorporated seeing the performance into your curriculum.
  - Spread the word to schools, families, and organizations in your area. We tour across North America, in schools and libraries as well as theaters and arts centers, so chances are there is a performance nearby!
  - If you'd like to donate, click here!