Build and Paint Spaces

All construction, assembly, and painting of scenery or props must be approved before any work takes place. All related work must occur in designated build or paint spaces on campus or in otherwise authorized areas. Options for constructing, painting, and assembling scenery vary depending on performance venue. Owing to the logistics required to use these spaces and to transport scenery between them, students must coordinate all scenic needs with their UP technical director and are encouraged to employ minimal, stylized scenic designs.

When scenery construction is permitted, it must:

  • Be built and installed so as to ensure safety of the cast, crew, and audience;
  • Be built with proper supervision or training in effect;
  • Be pre-approved by Undergraduate Production, following submission of a suitable plan that details construction methods, labor skills available, and materials to be used. Resources and skills must be compatible with the scale of the planned work;
  • Occur only in an authorized work area with prior approval and appropriate supervision. Construction is prohibited in all other locations;
  • Occur with students wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, gloves) as required by the work; and
  • Be constructed in a safe and responsible manner.

The use of scenery in most college theaters is limited to hand props and furniture. Assembly may be done in the Off Broadway Theater, the Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies black box, and Dramat spaces. Painting may be done in the Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, but not in the Off Broadway or any of the College Theaters.

UP offers a series of required workshops each year which are prerequisites for various types of production work. The unsupervised use of unapproved powered cutting tools is prohibited and is grounds for immediate termination of the production. The only power tools that are approved for unsupervised use are jig saws, hand-held drills, screw guns, and orbital sanders. Some of these tools require the EHS “buddy system.” 

Be sure to discuss your design ideas with your Undergraduate Production Advisor as early as possible in the planning process.

Paint Spaces

 

Dramat Shop

Space/Location: This moderate sized woodworking shop in the basement of the University Theater is equipped with both hand tools and bench power tools for working with wood. The shop may also be used as a paint area.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: This shop is prioritized for use by the Dramat. Use of the shop by other groups, possible only when the Dramat is not in production, must be pre-approved by the Dramat and by Undergraduate Production. The shop may be used as a paint space or as a build and assembly space. Specific training and supervision is required for operating power tools in the shop. Please discuss this option with your UP advisor first.

 

Timothy Dwight Art Room

Space/Location: The Timothy Dwight Art Room is located in Timothy Dwight College.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: Timothy Dwight Art Room is a resource for students in Timothy Dwight. Please contact the Timothy Dwight Head of College’s Office for more information.

 

Silliman Art Studio

Space/Location: The Silliman Art Studio is located in the basement of Silliman College.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: The Silliman Art Studio is a resource for students in Silliman College.  Please contact the Silliman Head of College’s Office for more information.

 
 

Hopper Art Room

Space/Location: The Hopper Art Room is located in Hopper College.

Availability/Reservations/PoliciesThe Hopper Art Room is a resource for students in Hopper College.  Please contact the Hopper Head of College’s Office for more information.

back to top -

Build and Assembly Spaces

 

Dramat Shop

Space/Location: This moderate sized woodworking shop in the basement of the University Theater is equipped with both hand tools and bench power tools for working with wood.  The shop may also be used as a paint area.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: This shop is prioritized for use by the Dramat. Use of the shop by other groups, possible only when the Dramat is not in production, must be pre-approved by the Dramat and by Undergraduate Production. The shop may be used as a paint space or as a build and assembly space. Specific training and supervision is required for operating power tools in the shop. Please discuss this option with your UP advisor first.

 

Center for Engineering Innovation and Design (CEID)

Space/Location: The Center, located on the first floor of the Becton Engineering Center, features multiple spaces in one: a lecture area and meeting rooms for the exploration of new ideas, machine shops, a wet lab, and a studio for the creation of physical prototypes.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: CEID membership is a prerequisite for use of the spaces and shop. Specific training and supervision is required for operating some of the tools in the shop. Visit the CEID website for more information about CEID membership. CEID staff may exclude any activities that do not support the Center’s mission and values.

 

Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies

Space/Location: Located at 53 Wall Street, the theater is primarily a black box theater reserved for Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies programming.  However, it is also equipped for supervised construction and paint work.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: Any use of this space must be requested and confirmed through the Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Department technical director and production manager.

 

School of Art

Space/Location: Located at 36 Edgewood Ave. and offers full woodworking and metalworking capabilities.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: Students must sign up for and complete a training session before granted access. The shops are open to School of Art Graduate students, Undergraduates currently enrolled in a Sculpture course, and Undergraduate Art majors.

 

School of Architecture

Space/Location: The School of Architecture owns some large fabrication and prototyping equipment located in Rudolph Hall.

Availability/Reservations/Policies: All School of Architecture equipment is reserved for students taking courses through the School of Architecture.

back to top -