Where would I find information on facilities necessary for producing large-scale dramas for an audience of 250-500?
Personally, I think this really requires the expertise of a good architect who has designed this sort of thing before. I remember back when I was working in our college theatre, and our new performing arts center opened with much fanfare. Unfortunately, the group that designed the building had never done anything like this before, and
the results were sorely lacking. The stage had marginal wing space, the sound system was crummy, and even the doors on the loading dock were placed awkwardly. Eventually, most touring companies stopped booking with us, because the place was so hard to perform in.
At the very least, make sure that your stage has adequate space to perform and store scenery/props/equipment. Try to make provisions for a professional lighting system and sound system, even if you can’t afford it today. Envision in your mind the most elaborate production that you can, then mentally step through the performance. Where will the audience sit?
Can they see the stage? Where will you hang the lights? Where will you put the following spot and lighting operators? The sound operator?
Can you move scenery on and off stage? Can you move scenery in and out of the building? Do you have a place for props? Where will the actors get dressed and made up? Where will they wait offstage? Is there enough communication so the entire cast and crew can know what’s going on onstage?
Ask yourself all these questions and more, because you really don’t want to bump into space limitations halfway through a production. IMHO, a cramped space produces a cramped performance, and that’s no fun. I hope this helps!
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