[SML] Stairs from audience to stage

[Jon Ares]

In my space (opened in 2006), there are no "permanent" steps... it was
designed for all people to enter through vestibules off the apron on
both sides - imagine side stages, but a wall instead. So, if panelists
or guest speakers, et al were to go up on to the stage, they had to
walk up (away from the stage), around the seating, and into the
vestibule. We had a portable, shop-built, as-ugly-as-possible portable
temp stairs for rehearsals, etc, but every time we'd have VIPs, we'd
always be asked to bring them back out, because no one wants to go for
a long walk to get on stage. So.... for a show where the director
wanted actors to enter/exit through the House, I designed some steps
at each end of the apron to architecturally look like the theatre...
set pieces... not permanent.... not to Code.... and of course, you can
guess, in 2024, they're still there, because it's "imperative" VIPs
and speakers have quick access from the front row to the stage.

My district just opened a brand-new PAC at the other big high school
in my district, and the space was designed with side stages as the
access to the apron, and I've asked the Technical Coordinator there if
anyone has asked for/demanded steps up to the stage, but she says no
one has asked yet, but they've only had a few events (comparatively)
and one show in December, when the pit was open, so it hasn't been an
issue yet.

Maybe the solution is never show an alternative, and no one will
demand the alternative.  If I could turn back time....   then again,
I'd have even more people jumping on/off the stage....  :(

 - Jon

On Sun, Jan 14, 2024 at 10:07 AM Bill Conner via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>
> I've been working on some code changes and wanted more views on just the desirability of a permanent in the house route from audience to stage.  While my current work concerns an accessible route, I really want to hear about the functional and artistic issues affecting the choice of having a permanent in the house path or route.  My present big picture view is that for theatre - opera, drama, dance - permanent stairs are undesirable for artistic reasons.  For a very multi purpose space, like in high schools, where far and away the overwhelming majority of stages and auditoriums are, the path or route seems inevitably necessary.
>
> Avoiding the complications  accessibility  brings to this for a moment,  correct or expand or just pontificate on the desirability of permanent path or route.
>
> Thank you.
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-- 
Jon Ares
www.arescreative.com