Normal hours of operation for lighting and sound activities shall be Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Crew calls and/or other operations planned outside of these hours must be approved by the faculty lighting or sound supervisor in advance of the projected call. All crew calls outside of normal operating hours (including weekend calls) must be run only by a designated student supervisor who has been assigned appropriate keys to the lighting/sound control and operations area.

THE LIGHT CAGE AND SOUND SHOP AREAS ARE NOT NORMALLY ACCESSIBLE TO CREWS. DESIGNERS AND MASTER ELECTRICIANS/SOUND ENGINEERS SHOULD PLAN WORK WELL IN ADVANCE AND SHOULD SUBMIT REQUESTS FOR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO THE LIGHT CAGE OR SOUND CAGE ASSISTANT ALLOWING SUFFICIENT TIME FOR SUCH REQUESTS TO BE PROCESSED. IF REQUESTS ARE NOT SUBMITTED IN ADVANCE, THE NEEDED EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

Details of the lighting/sound operations policy are as follows:

A. Use of Lighting and Sound Areas:

1. Lighting and sound equipment is to be used only for Ithaca College productions and classroom projects. Work on personal projects may be allowed upon arrangement with the faculty supervisor. Keys will not be issued for any use other than activities associated with scheduled Ithaca College Theatre productions. Assignment to a lighting and/or sound project does not guarantee that a key will be issued to the person assigned. Key assignment requests will be evaluated on an individual basis.

All classroom projects involving lighting or sound equipment must be carried out when the hours when the departmental office is open (usually Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

2. At least two persons must be on site during all crew operations, one of who must be an approved supervisor. For the purposes of definition, crew activities shall include any work that involves any activity on the cove and box ladders or the catwalks, any activity on the redwood deck, any use of the Genie or ladders, any work that involves the use and handling of electrical wiring or equipment, and any use of the counterweight system and spot lines.

3. Designers may be permitted to work alone provided that such work does not involve any activity other than building cues and setting levels. Any other activity shall be considered as crew operation and shall be subject to the appropriate regulations. Designers should see the above regulations regarding access to the lighting or sound control areas.

B. Basic Safety and Operational Guidelines

1. Student supervisors are presumed to understand the equipment involved in their area of activity. They are expected to see that equipment is used properly and that safe working procedures are used at all times. If a student supervisor is unsure of proper use or correct safety procedures, s/he must contact a member of the faculty or staff to receive proper training. Supervisors must never use or ask crew members to use equipment with which they are unfamiliar.

2. Student supervisors should know the location and use of safety equipment including fire extinguishers and first aid supplies. Student supervisors must be familiar with the appropriate procedures in case the building fire alarms sound.

3. Supervisors should remove from service any unsafe equipment and notify the faculty supervisor of the defect.

4. Smoking is not permitted in the theatres or in any lighting or sound area.

5. No beverage of any kind is permitted in the lighting and sound control areas at any time. All liquid substances are to be kept away from electronic equipment.

6. Alcohol is not permitted in the building. Students are not permitted to work on electrics or sound crews while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

C. Emergency Procedure

The theatre arts department will hold informational meetings for all student supervisors at the beginning of each semester to review procedures to be followed in the event of fire and/or personal injury. For obvious reasons, these meetings will be mandatory.

D. Cleanup/Closeup Regulations

1. At least twenty minutes cleanup time must be planned into each crew call. The stage must be cleared and cleaned, and all tools and equipment safely stowed in an appropriate location before leaving the area. Floors must be swept and all debris placed in trash receptacles. The student supervisor is responsible for making sure that the area is cleaned.

2. All control equipment must be turned off. House lights must be turned off and the prescribed safety lighting turned on. All control areas, catwalks, and storage compartments must be locked. The student supervisor is responsible for checking to be sure that all locks are set.

E. Access To Facilities For Designers

Student designers should plan needed access to control consoles and equipment with the faculty supervisor. At the option of the faculty supervisor, a key to the control areas may be assigned; however, assignment to a design position does not guarantee assignment of a key.

F. Contacts For Assistance

All student supervisors in the lighting and sound area should keep on hand telephone numbers for the area faculty supervisor and the Office of Safety and Security.