Background

Cartersville High School was originally built in 1881. In the mid 1940’s, construction began on an auditorium to serve the needs of the school and the community. The original auditorium, still in use today, consists of a 60’ X 40’ wooden floor stage. Two storage rooms (about 20’ X 20’) are located stage right and stage left with a small restroom between the storage rooms. The doors to these rooms have been removed, so there is no way to secure this area or to keep students from using the restrooms. The storage rooms have long windows that have been covered with plywood to prevent the light from outdoors spilling onto the stage. Additional storage can be considered using the ledges above these storage rooms. However, these ledges are 18 feet from the stage floor and there are no ladders or other ways to easily access this area. Above this ledge, about 75 feet from the stage floor is a wooden catwalk. Although this is rotting and very dangerous, because it is there, students will try to use it. Located on the ledge downstage right (closest to the audience) is a circuit breaker board. This controls the ellipsoidals and fresnels located in the stage and audience ceiling. A fluorescent work light illuminates this area. There are double doors furthest upstage that open into a hallway into the chorus and band rooms. These rooms are currently under renovation, but the auditorium itself is not. Cinderblock walls, painted white surround the stage. Originally, the downstage proscenium housed five footlight drawers; each drawer contained six lights. The footlights have since been removed and the drawers sealed shut, except for the drawer center stage. It now houses plug-ins for sound equipment and for the auditoriums’ PA system. The wooden stage floor itself is in very good condition, especially considering the age and the amount of use it receives. Offstage left and right are five steps leading to double doors that open into the house (auditorium) itself. Here, on each side, are also large windows, again covered with plywood to control the light. Located off stage right is the circuit breaker board for the stage and house lights. There is a box containing three dimmers. These operate the trays, or strip lights, which are arranged in a red, white and blue configuration. The dimmers can adjust the intensity of each colored light independently, or can be on all at once, or blacked out. Often the blues will be on a very low intensity and are used for set changes while the main curtain is closed. One problem with these lights is that they buzz when they are used, and this sound is carried through our speaker system. Also in this area is the main curtain pull. At one time, it was motorized. This no longer functions, but the curtain pull can be operated by hand.

The curtains on the stage are in a state of disrepair. They are torn from the top, where they are hung. Two sections are missing. There are holes that have been sewn and resewn, so that only threads are holding them together. One of the “legs” or traveler curtains is hung backward so that the seam and label are facing the audience. All of the curtains were hung incorrectly, off the stage floor, so that light, actor’s feet or any kind of movement is visible to the audience from under the curtains. Most of the chains that are sewn into the hem and are used to weight the curtain to the floor so that they don’t sway when an actor walks behind the curtain, are missing. The stage is used as a thoroughfare to the chorus and band rooms, and students often play with the curtains, wrapping themselves up in them or tugging on them or pulling them incorrectly. Even our main curtain, our purple with the gold CHS has a visible tear in the valance, is torn from the top where the curtain opens and the colors are sadly faded. The tracks from which the curtains are hung are jammed, and curtains that are supposed to be able to move, don’t. Left center is a batten that sticks out too far and prevents that curtain from being pulled out properly.

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Proposal

While the chorus and band rooms at Cartersville High School are under renovation, there does not seems to be any similar plans for the auditorium. The house, especially the seating, acoustics, sound and light systems and electrical system will require extensive renovation at some time in the future. Perhaps when the class that renovates the stage area graduates, a new group of students can tackle the house, the balcony and other parts of the auditorium, and that can become their project. For now, this group of students will focus on the stage walls, the stage curtains and the existing tracking and on securing the backstage areas.

Part 1 The Walls

There are two good reasons for wanting to paint the walls of the stage area black. One reason is that black walls do not reflect light, thereby making it easier to control the light on the stage. The second reason relates to the condition and repair of our curtains. Because several curtain sections are missing, and those that are on the stage are hung too high, parts of the white cinder block wall are visible to the audience. Another reason is that “techies” or people that work backstage wear black so they are not so noticeable to the audience. Against a black wall, these people would be nearly invisible.

Part 2 The Doors

Of four possible doors to backstage areas, 2 are missing and only one has a padlock (this area I call “my office.” I store everything there: costumes, wigs, makeup, scripts, lighting equipment, props, set pieces. It is broken into on a regular basis because the door leading to the bathroom area is missing.) Replacement doors with hasps and padlocks would prevent students being in unauthorized areas, doing “unauthorized things,” and prevent theft and vandalism.

Part 3 The Curtains and Tracks

Once a company has been selected, they will send a representative to measure for replacement curtains. Basically, what is needed are 6 legs, or travelers, 3 on each side of the stage. A cyclorama wraps around from stage left, through centerstage, to stage right. This curtain is divided into eight sections. Along the back wall, operated by a curtain pull upstage right, is a curtain that goes the entire length of that wall. These last 3 curtain systems will be made from heavy black sharkstooth fabric, fire resistant and in accordance with theatrical specifications. Finally, the main curtain, which is purple velvet with gold tassels and a gold school emblem or CHS on the main valance will also be replaced.

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Implementation

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Bibliography

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Table of Contents

Background

Part 1 The Walls

Bibliography