Policies and Procedures

As Tucker Theatre is a part of the Institution named Middle Tennessee State University, Students make up the primary work crew and technical staff. Students must adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by the Speech and Theatre Department.

I. Patrons

• Tucker Theatre is located on Middle Tennessee State University which is state property and therefore, smoking is not permitted in any part of the building. Smoking is permitted twenty (20) feet from the building exterior doors.
• Food and drinks are not permitted in the theatre or the buildings at anytime.
• The Licensee shall not obstruct: (i) any entrances or exits from the building, (ii) any stairways, hallways, or access to utilities within the building, or (iii) any sidewalks immediately outside the building.
• Animals (other than seeing-eye dogs) will not be allowed in the building for any reason other than use in the event, without the consent of the Tucker Theatre Management prior to load-in.
• Decorations and signs may not be placed in any rooms, hallways, lobbies, or theaters in the building without the permission of the Tucker Theatre Management. Costs to repair any damage caused by placing such decorations or signs will be paid by the Licensee. All damages start at a $300.00 Fee.
• No sign or decoration is allowed on the building exterior or sidewalk.
• Firearms are prohibited in all state buildings. All "prop"; weapons must be approved by the Tucker Theatre Management.

II. Production Related Policies

§ Prior to the event the Licensee shall provide a complete list of all persons to be allowed in the backstage area. This list must be approved by the Tucker Management. Tucker Theatre reserves the right to restrict backstage access.

§ All equipment rental agencies must adhere to all policies, procedures, and safety guidelines of Middle Tennessee State University, Tucker Theatre, and the Speech and Theatre Department.

§ The house opens 30 minutes prior to the scheduled performance. All set-up and sound checks must be completed by this time. The Event Manager will assist the Licensee in opening the house on time.

§ The express oral approval of the Event Manager, in collaboration with the Licensee's Representative, is required to begin each performance and end each intermission.

§ House seats will not be removed to accommodate sound and lighting boards, or additional equipment. Tucker Theatre will provide space in the far back house left in the handicap seating area. No more than half (1/2) the space may be used for such equipment.

§ Tucker Theatre reserves the right to control the final sound level for any event.

§ All coordination between Licensee and Tucker Theatre will be conducted according to the Middle Tennessee State University, Event Facility Use Policy

§ No additional locks will be permitted on any door of the premises. It is recommended that valuables be collected by the Licensee's representative prior to the event and kept until the event is completed. Although Middle Tennessee State University maintains twenty four (24) hour security in all areas under its jurisdiction, Tucker Theatre assumes no responsibility for valuables left in dressing rooms.

§ Any incident where a room is used not in accordance with its intended purpose is not the responsibility of Tucker Theatre or its staff.

§ ALL SMOKE AND PYROTECHNICS EFFECTS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE TUCKER THEATRE MANAGER AND THE UNIVERSITY FIRE MARSHALL. In addition, pyrotechnic effects must first be approved by the State Fire Marshall's office. The Licensee must provide a written description of each effect and may be called upon to demonstrate that effect to the University Fire Marshall prior to approval. Pyrotechnic effects permits also require a drawing of the stage showing locations of the effects with respect to audience, actors and/or performers and scenery, and a letter attesting to the expertise of the pyro-technician. The Licensee shall work in conjunction with the Tucker Theatre Management in coordinating demonstrations with the University Fire Marshall. Pyrotechnic permits must be issued ten business days prior to the demonstration. Substantial fees are involved in this process.

§ All scenery and paraphernalia shall be flame proofed by the Licensee so as to satisfy legal standards and the highest standards of accepted contemporary practice.

§ All electrical equipment brought into the building by the Licensee shall comply with all rules and regulations of city, state, and federal governments.

§ Any use and/or change of rigging and equipment must be approved in advance by Tucker Theatre Management.

§ The Licensee shall not allow nails, tacks, stage screws or similar articles to be driven or placed in any part of the building without prior approval by Tucker Theatre Management.

§ The Licensee shall not allow flags, banners, signs, poster, etc. to be taped, stapled pinned, or attached to any portion of the building, curtains, or furniture. Any damage incurred from this use, shall be the responsibility of the Licensee.

§ Food is not permitted in Tucker Theatre at any time. Refreshments may be served in the lobby area. Licensee will be responsible for cleanup of all food and/or refreshment refuse and service equipment prior to leaving the Facility each day. All refuse shall be placed in the appropriate waste containers. Failure to fully cleanup all food and/or refreshment refuse or service equipment daily will result in a cleaning fee of $ 300.00 per infraction.

§ The Licensee may not use a forklift on any stage.

§ The facilities are a place of public accommodation and are accessible to disabled persons in compliance with Titles II & III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Licensee shall not allow any of its artists, employees, contractors, agents, invitees, or other persons it permits on the premises to render the facilities inaccessible to disabled persons or otherwise cause the facilities to be out of compliance with the ADA. In the event the Licensee permits any person to render the facilities inaccessible to disabled persons or otherwise cause the facilities to be out of compliance with the ADA, the Licensee shall immediately remove the cause and return the facilities to compliance.

§ The Event Manager must be informed anytime chemical smoke or haze is used to insure building management is informed and proper safety precautions are taken.

§ No Fixture, Lighting or scenic may be used on the balcony railings. These railings are overhead of potential patrons, and not rated for any additional weight. The cabling from these fixtures also creates a safety hazard on the audience level.

§ All aisle ways must be kept free and clear at all times. This includes but is not limited to: Tables in the front aisles (Generally Used as Judging tables for events), Stairs in the front Aisles (These stairs block the primary egress from the Front of the house, and therefore may not be used.), and lighting stands in the balcony (Since the balcony is not a secure area, the aisles must be clear at all times.)

§ Doors to the exterior of the building are not permitted to be propped open at anytime. These are rated and used to control fire in the event an emergency. The doors on the theatre leading into the Green Room and the hallway, are on the Fire Zone line. These doors must be kept closed at all times.

III. L abor Policies and Procedures

**As Tucker Theatre is a part of the Institution named Middle Tennessee State University, Students make up the primary work crew and technical staff. Students must adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by the Speech and Theatre Department.

A. REQUIRED LABOR

§ A Rental Supervisor is required anytime the licensee wants access to the Facility.

§ If any portion of the stage beyond the front apron is necessary a Stage Manager will be required to oversee and assist with all things backstage.

§ The presence of an audience of more than ten (10) persons requires a qualified House Manager whose sole responsibility for the production is to be the House Manager. Two House Managers are required for events with an estimated audience of more the two-hundred fifty (250) persons. Said House Manager(s) must be present prior to the entry of any audience and for the duration of the event. Qualification as defined here is at the sole discretion of the Tucker Theatre Facility Manager.

• Use of lighting, sound, mechanical, electrical, and/or other equipment owned by the Facility requires the presence of the appropriate trained operators and/or crew for said equipment. Tucker Theatre Equipment must be operated by Tucker Theatre Personnel.
• One Usher is required for every 100 persons expected to be in attendance. Ushers may be provided by the Renting Organization as long as they meet the minimum qualifications set forth by the Tucker Theatre Facility Manager. Said Ushers must be present at least thirty minutes prior to the presence of an audience in the facility. Alternatively, any organization unable to meet the minimum requirements for Ushers may elect to have the Facility provide said Ushers for an additional fee.

B. TIME

• The Event Manager must be on duty at any time there are production personnel in the building.
• Minimum crew call will be four (4) hours for load-in, rehearsals, and performances. Minimum call will be three (3) hours for load-out. All billing for labor will be assessed in half hour increments.
• Meal breaks are to be allowed after each five (5) hours and no earlier than three (3) hours of work. The entire crew will participate in this break. Meal breaks may be taken by departments as mutually agreed upon by the Licensee and the Event Manager. If meal breaks are not observed, the Licensee will be charged a meal penalty rate (one and one half times the employees regular rate) after five (5) hours of work and until a meal break is observed or the end of the call is reached. In lieu of a full hour break, the Licensee may furnish a meal for all technical staff on call and take less than one (1) hour, but not less than one half (½) hour. No time shall be deducted for breaks of less than one (1) hour. All crew members shall be guaranteed two (2) hours minimum of work following a one (1) hour meal break. If a meal break in excess of 90 minutes is taken a new four (4) hour minimum call will ensue. Overtime rates apply to all technical staff, including departmental heads.
• During any call, the technical staff will be given a minimum of one (1) break of fifteen (15) minutes after three (3) hours and no earlier than two (2) hours of work in one five (5) hour period and two (2) breaks if the call is over five (5) hours. This break procedure starts over after the first eight (8) hours worked.
• An overtime rate (one and one-half times employee's regular rate) will be charged for each hour worked over eight (8) hours in one day and for each hour worked over forty (40) regular hours in one week. Overtime rates apply to all technical staff, including departmental heads.
• There will be an eight (8) hour rest period between calls of the same production or an overtime rate (one and one-half times employee's regular rate) will be charged until an eight (8) hour rest period is observed. Overtime rates apply to all technical staff, including departmental heads.
• Double time will be charged for all work performed on the following holidays or the day Tucker Theatre chooses to observe these holidays: New Year's Day; Easter; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Eve; and Christmas Day.
• The Licensee must give the Tucker Theatre Management twenty-four (24) hours notice of intent to cancel any crew prior to a scheduled call. Failure to inform the Tucker Theatre Management will result in an automatic four (4) hour minimum charge being awarded to those personnel who were scheduled but did not work.
• The Event Manager will assist the Licensee in adhering to the preceding Policies and Procedures. It is, however, the responsibility of the Licensee to schedule the event in such a manner as to avoid penalty.