PLAYHOUSE VOLUNTEER
HANDBOOK
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAYHOUSE
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Erie Playhouse! Thank you for sharing your time and talent on and for our stage. Your experience and safety are our priority. We want you to feel at home here and want you to come back often. In this Volunteer Handbook you will find information and general rules that will make your transition into the Playhouse family a smooth one.
HISTORY
The Erie Playhouse is the 12th oldest community theatre in the nation, the busiest community theatre in PA, and was voted 2015 Best Community Theatre in PA (Theatre Guide’s Reader’s Choice Award).
Founded by Henry B. Vincent, the Little Theatre, as it was called, had their very first opening night performance on January 18, 1916, staged in the old Chamber of Commerce rooms in the Reed Hotel on North Park Row. The Little Theatre operated successfully until May 1918, when World War I brought about the end of the community theatre after two seasons.
After the war, Mr. Vincent, with the help of local businessmen, remodeled the old Brass Works (current location of the YMCA) and named it The Community Playhouse. The Theatre opened on March 25, 1919. There was no admission charge – just a barrel in the lobby inscribed “the future tale of the Playhouse,” where patrons tossed in coins.
In 1927 the Playhouse was asked to leave the building to make room for the boy’s addition to the YMCA. From December 25, 1927 to February 14, 1928 nightly performances were held in the Columbia Theatre on West 8th Street. During this time, Mr. Vincent campaigned throughout the city of Erie to build a permanent home for the Playhouse. On a snowy January evening, a full house of 300 patrons attended the opening production, The Queen’s Husband, in the new theatre at 128 West 7th Street. In this new facility they began presenting full-length plays.
In 1941 Director and visionary Henry B. Vincent died suddenly. Then in December 1942 the Playhouse went dark due to World War II. The theatre reopened in 1946 with a production of Blithe Spirit. It was later in 1946 that L. Newell Tarrant came to Erie to have a long and successful run as director of the Playhouse until 1962.
In 1965, the Playhouse sold for financial reasons to Gannon University, who used it as a theatre until the 1990’s when it was razed to make room for improvements to the school. It was also at this time that Newell Tarrant accepted a position in Hawaii and the Playhouse was once again without a leader and a home. Led by Marty Ditzel, the board of directors secured a home at the Penn Theatre in Wesleyville and hired Bill Cohen
as director.
In 1972 a new business manager, David Matthews, was hired. Later that same year Matthews assumed the position of Managing Director. Fire regulations closed the Wesleyville site in January of 1975 and the Playhouse was without a home once again. For the next seven years the Playhouse traveled from Fairview
High School to Iroquois High School. They would perform one week in one school then dismantle all of the scenery and take it to the other school and perform one week. The Playhouse then settled into the
McDowell Intermediate School for a time. The Playhouse purchased the Strand Theater in August of 1983
From Cinemet Corp. Finally, on December 31, 1983, Annie opened the newest and current home of the Erie Playhouse in the old Strand Theatre at 13 West 10th Street.
HISTORY (continued)
After 34 successful years as managing director, David Matthews retired on August 31st, 2006, and Almitra Clerkin took over the reigns as Executive Director. Under Almi’s leadership, working with a dedicated and talented staff, multiple facility improvements have been made and community outreach and collaborations have grown. The Playhouse is one of nine Lead Assets in the Erie Region and is an instrumental partner in Erie Arts and Culture.
Over the years, many theatrical luminaries and personalities have appeared on the Erie Playhouse stage: Ned Beatty, Anne B. Davis, Dom Deluise, Henderson Forsythe, Rocky Graziano, David Green, Cris Groenendaal, Frank Langella, Walter Mattheau, Rue McClanahan, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Sada Thompson, Jessica Walter, Ann Wedgworth and Michael Patrick King. Playhouse alumni can also currently be found working on Broadway and regional theatres across the country.
The 2016-17 Season marks the Erie Playhouse 100th Anniversary year! A year of celebrations will take place to commemorate this milestone. The Playhouse Board and staff look forward to the Playhouse Family participating in all the events! Check out www.erieplayhouse.org.
PLAYHOUSE MISSION STATEMENT
The Erie Playhouse is dedicated to enriching the greater Erie region by providing life-long opportunities to participate in quality theatre.
PLAYHOUSE BOARD AND STAFF
The Playhouse is governed by a board of directors. The board is made up of Playhouse family and community members.
The Playhouse is run by a full-time staff of 11 people and a part-time staff of five:
Executive Director – Almitra Clerkin
Producing Director – Richard Davis
Finance/Box Office Manager – Charles Corritore
Marketing Director – Sue Lechner
Youtheatre and Education Director – Kate Neubert-Lechner
Assistant Finance/Box Office Manager – Carolin Lynn
Scenic Designer – Christine Carmichael
Scenic Shop Manager – Brian Gilmartin
Scenic Assistant – Brendan Daugherty
Costume Designer – Ryan Ingram
Costumer/Stitcher – Crystal Corritore
Part Time Staff:
Season Ticket Manager/ Asst. Development Director- Teri Marshall
Musical Director – Andrew Rainbow
House Manager – Angela Pulling
Part Time Box Office – Karen Etter
Playbill Advertising Manager – Barb Weber
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals are held at 1158 East 12th Street, in Cirino Hall (first floor), or the smaller, second floor rehearsal hall. Rehearsals are usually held during the evenings Monday through Thursday (with some Fridays), Saturday mornings or afternoons, and Sunday afternoons or evenings. Rehearsals are one-and-a-half hours to three hours in length, and can be longer during production week (with earlier call time and notes). Rehearsal schedules are built after we receive accurate conflicts from volunteers. Since you have chosen to make the commitment to the Playhouse and show, please try not to add additional conflicts during the rehearsal period. We understand emergencies can arise, but your help in limiting conflicts is very much appreciated.
Once you are cast, you will be contacted by the director as to when your first rehearsal is; sometimes you will receive your rehearsal and performance schedule prior to this first rehearsal via email.
The rehearsal schedule lets you know the time of each rehearsal and what material is to be covered at each rehearsal. If you are in a play, the director lists the scenes or acts to be covered at each rehearsal. If you are involved in those scenes or acts then you need to be at those rehearsals. If you are in a musical you may also receive a “who is in what number” breakdown with your schedule. This will list all the musical numbers and what people are needed for those numbers.
At your very first rehearsal, all volunteers (parents of minors) will complete and hand in three forms:
1. Sexual Harassment Form
2. Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers over 18
3. Liability Waiver and Emergency Form for Minors
The director will keep these on hand at all rehearsals at 1158 East 12th Street and the Stage Manager will keep these on hand at all rehearsals and performances at the theatre.
ALWAYS BRING YOUR SCRIPT, MUSIC, AND A PENCIL TO EVERY REHEARSAL.
The People you will meet at the playhouse and their Jobs
Cast – Those who appear on stage to tell the story.
CREW – Those who help with the running of the show backstage, at the sound board, and in the light booth.
Members of the Production Team:
DIRECTOR – There are many types of directors. Broadly, the role involves being responsible for the overall artistic vision of a production. The director is in charge at all rehearsals.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Aids the director as needed. At the Playhouse, the assistant director writes down all blocking, making sure the actors follow the script and movement. They may also share ideas with the director and actors.
CHOREOGRAPHER – Responsible for setting dances and movement sequences during the production.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR – Often the conductor/leader of a musical, or the person responsible for the musical content of a production.
VOCAL DIRECTOR – Sometimes also the musical director. This person is in charge of teaching all singing in a show and maintaining it.
The People you will meet at the playhouse and their Jobs (continued)
STAGE MANAGER – Oversees each production once it reaches the stage. This person is responsible for seeing to it that each performance runs smoothly backstage and onstage. The stage manager is in charge of all technical crew and performers for all performances.
COSTUME DESIGNER – Responsible for measuring of actors and creating the costumes. This person is in charge of everything actors wear in the show. What they say goes!
THE HOUSE MANGER – Responsible for the Front-of-House staff (ushers and sellers of concession, bar, and memorabilia), all public spaces in front of the theatre, and the comfort and safety of our patrons. They are the first to arrive at the theatre, unlocking the stage door 30 minutes before the actor’s call, and are the last to leave the theatre.
THEATRE TERMS
Here are some theatre terms you need to know to decipher your schedule:
Block or Blocking – this is where the actor walks when they talk or the process of arranging moves by the actors when speaking their lines. The director will communicate where to move when speaking certain lines. It is very important that you mark all of your blocking down in your script in pencil when the director gives it to you because it may change. This will help you to remember when you review your material away from rehearsals. Here are some helpful shortcuts when writing down your blocking in your script:
Upstage – the back of the stage away from the audience
Downstage – the front of the stage towards the audience
Stage right and stage left are your right and left as an actor facing the audience.
DS = Downstage DR = Down Right
US = Upstage DL = Down Left
SR = Stage Right DC = Down Center
SL = Stage Left UR = Up Right
C = Center Stage UL = Up Left
RC = Right of Center Stage UC = Up Center
LC = Left of Center Stage X = Cross the stage to a new location
(for example, XSR = Cross Stage Right)
STAGING/CHOREOGRAPHY – The process of arranging movement or dances
to be done during musical numbers. The choreographer will communicate how to move during lyrics and musical breaks. Most dances are broken down into counts of eight, either two or four counts per one measure of music. It is important that you write down all of your choreography to review on your own away from rehearsal.
WORK SCENES OR CHOREOGRAPHY – The process of breaking down scenes or dances and refining them.
RUN OR RUN THRU – A rehearsal of the whole show or a section of it; for example, “This afternoon we will run Act II.”
LOAD-IN – To meet at the Scenic Shop and load the scenery, props, costumes, etc. on the truck and move them to the theatre. The director, scenic and costume designers will give instructions at Load-in. They will appear on your rehearsal schedule or be announced at rehearsal. Parents of minors are encouraged to attend with your child OR come in lieu of your young actor.
STRIKE – To assemble and disassemble all the scenery, to remove props from backstage, and to clean the backstage and dressing rooms/hallways. The director, scenic and costume designers will give instructions at both the Load-in and Strike. This will appear on your rehearsal schedule.
CALL – The time you need to arrive at the theatre before a rehearsal or show. If you will be late for a call, you must notify the Stage Manager.
THEATRE TERMS (continued)
Dress Rehearsal – A full run thru rehearsal with all technical elements added and brought together. Technical elements include scenery, lights, sound (microphones), props, costumes, wigs, and make-up.
DRY TECH – Run thru with the stage crew, led by the Scenic Designer and/or the Stage Manager, with the help of the Director, placing all scenery where it goes on the stage and figuring out the places backstage where scenery ‘lives’ during a show. Stage Crew will receive their Tech Sheet to write down their assigned responsibilities.
TECH OR TECHNICAL REHEARSAL – A run thru that included the cast and their assignments in setting, moving, and striking scenery. Actors will receive their Tech Sheet to write down any scene changes their assigned responsibilities. this process takes time, so please be helpful and patient! HINT: Your Tech Sheet is also ideal for you to note your costume changes!
WHAT TO WEAR FOR REHEARSALS
You should wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and are appropriate in covering your body. There are restrooms at the Rehearsal halls to change your clothes. Foot wear: For rehearsals, sneakers or dance shoes are perfect. Proper footwear at the theatre includes: women usually wear character shoes (these can be purchased at any dancewear store or online); men wear black lace up dress shoes. For safety, NEVER wear Flip-flops, sandals or bare feet at any rehearsal. The costume designer will let you know if you need any other additional footwear.