SCENERY PAINTING FOR THE AMATEUR MUSICAL THEATRE and PANTOMIME
"Sleepover Planet" Sound thoughts ( a new page and the only one on my Sleepover web site devoted to Sound)
This page was last updated on
09-Jun-2007
The sound requirements for a theatrical performance of "Sleepover Planet" are fairly straightforward.
Music
Is the music track to be relayed via a CD or will you have the luxury of a piano/school orchestra accompaniment?
 
FX.
Thunderclap. Download a copyright-free version from here. (Annlaug?) Although don't denigrate the good old-fashioned Victorian theatre thunder-sheet. A large sheet of metal hung behind stage which is rattled. The youngsters would enjoy doing this!
 

Radio Mics?
Many schools have them now. (Are the batteries charged or need replacing?) Just be aware that during the Space Conductor's first song (Sc 2), when the audience is introduced to him/her for the first time, the words of the song are vital to explain what is happening, but at the same time the character is carrying out fairly lively movements chasing after the falling baton, so you might get rumble off their microphone and have to come to some sort of compromise over movement versus clarity.

 

Communications. (Comms.).
Communication headsets can be hired from your local theatrical suppliers.
For just a performance of "Sleepover Planet" to go to the extent of setting up communications is hardly worth the bother, but no-doubt the Musical will form part of a bigger school concert and so here is a thought on communications.

Who needs to talk and hear from whom?

Stage Manager; Curtain, Pianist/conductor, Sound, Lights, FoH Manager, (Are their batteries charged or need replacing?)

Incidentally one, rather unsubtle, way of telling the conductor/pianist that they can start playing is to flick the power supply leading to their lamp a couple of times.

 
Call Boy? How are the cast to be called to the stage? Does the SM need a microphone/loudspeaker system to the dressing room?
 

Opening Announcement
There is inevitably an announcement made before the performance starts (either from behind stage, on stage, or in the hall) describing the emergency exits, switch off mobiles, length of interval etc. Will this need a microphone? How will you know when this is to be made and they need it switched on? If the announcement is made from the stage, who brings the mic and stand onto/off the stage?

 
Back Stage PA. (Public Address)
It's a nice facility to have sound of the show piped to backstage dressing rooms. This also helps to alleviate the cast gathering (and twittering) in the wings to hear what's happening.
 

Interval Bell.
If you are only performing "Sleepover" then, with it being so short, there is no need for an interval. However if the musical forms part of a School Concert then, assuming there will be an interval, how is the bell rung? Is this the Sound department's problem?

Is there to be music played during the interval? If so, it's a nice touch to keep the volume very low, for here is an opportunity for the audience to chat amongst themselves and discuss what they have seen so far, so they don't want to compete over a blaring PA..
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