Mission Statement: The Lab Series is a student-driven, department-nurtured performance research laboratory. Emphasis is on innovative work that functions on a zero budget model and will include an invigorating mix of new work, creative renderings of classic or obscure works, and community building events. We encourage experimentation and the brave showcasing of works-in-progress.
Personnel: You are responsible for providing your own personnel. The Lab Series provides a Technical Coordinator to each production, who will design, program, and operate your sound and lights, as well as a Production Manager, who will guide you through the creative process.
Props, Furniture and Scenery: Limited props and scenic elements may be borrowed from the Department of Theatre, at the discretion of the Production Managers and Coordinator. We encourage you to think creatively about the items that are required for your project.
Costumes: No costumes will be provided for the Lab Series. Each project will be responsible for providing its own costumes which are needed.
Lighting and Sound: Lighting, sound, and projection systems are limited in the New Works Lab, but encourage creativity.
Set Up of Space: Each project team is responsible for the setup of the space prior to the performance and the restoration of the space when the performance is over. You will be allotted a maximum of 30 minutes for set up and 20 minutes to restore the space. Blocks, furniture, and props must be returned to their storage places at the end of each run. Seats must be stacked properly. The control booth must also be restored and locked.
Performance running time: The Lab Series encourages productions of 90 minutes or less.
Performance Time and Dates: We perform on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Admission: There will be no admission charge to audience members. A minimum of 35 seats must be provided for the audience with a maximum audience capacity of 50 seats per show.
Rehearsal Space: There will be a minimum amount of rehearsal space available. Each project must make their own arrangements for rehearsal space, but will be guaranteed the weekend prior to their run in the New Works Lab for technical rehearsals. Other reservations may be made through the main office. All rehearsal spaces must be returned to neutral following use.
Budget: No production budget is provided. The Lab Series will underwrite costs associated with production rights and photocopying.
Publicity: Events will be announced on the Department of Theatre call boards, website, and season brochures. They will also be included in Department of Theatre press releases. Projects are encouraged to develop and distribute their own posters and flyers and make use of social networking.
Access: All projects must submit a Lab Series Proposal Form. Applications are continuously available and will be due by a publicized deadline ONE SEMESTER PRIOR TO THE SEMESTER OF INTENDED PRODUCTION. Lab Series projects will be selected by a student board, in concert with the Lab Series coordinator. Once selected, a production will be assigned a performance space and date.
Overlap of commitments: Students involved in the Lab Series may be involved in other departmental or community productions. However, it is the responsibility of the student to coordinate schedules effectively so that none of these commitments impede the others. See the Lab Series Production Contract.pdf for more information.
THE NEW WORKS LAB IS USED BY MANY FOR CLASSES, REHEARSALS, AND PEFORMANCES.
YOU MUST RESTORE THE SPACE TO “NEUTRAL” AFTER EACH USE SO IT IS READY FOR THE NEXT USERS.
IF THIS REQUIREMENT IS NOT MET YOUR PROJECT WILL BE CANCELLED.