Key terms and concepts

• Flats

• Floor lay up 

• Hazards 

• Knots 

• Manual handling 

• Occupational health and safety (OHS) 

• Production personnel 

• Props 

• Set assembly 

• Set pieces 

• Stage area 

• Stage geography 

• Stage machinery 

• Stage mark out 

• Stage plan 

• Stage types 

• Staging personnel

Understanding of a range of staging options for different venue types and entertainment industry contexts

• Live performance 

• Theatre 

• Corporate/events 

• Multimedia presentations 

• Indoor and outdoor venues

An awareness of the roles and responsibilities of staging personnel within the overall production

 • Production manager 

• Technical manager 

• Stage manager 

• Set designer 

• Set builder 

• Prop builder 

• Scenic artists 

• Stage crew 

• Gaffer

Stage plan specifications

• Stage area drawn to scale 

• Ground plan showing stage area with masking and scenic items

• Elevation/side view.

Identify requirements specified in stage plan

(I)

• Stage types 

- proscenium

- in the round

- end on

- thrust

- transverse

- arena

• Stage machinery

- revolves

- elevated work platforms

- automated tracking

- fly systems

• Stage geography 

- prompt side(PS)

- upstage(US)

- off prompt/opposite prompt(OP)

- downstage(DS)

- centre stage(CS)

- on/offstage

- stage right/left(SR/SL)

- scenery dock

Identify requirements specified in stage plan

(II)

• Performance space measurements and dimensions 

• Setting line 

• Centre line 

• Entrances/exits 

• Site lines 

• Sets 

• Masking wings

Cleaning and clearing of areas

• Stage 

• Wings 

• Dressing rooms 

• Orchestra pit

An understanding of the purpose and importance of marking out the stage

Marking out the stage using stage plans

• Performer positions 

• Set/prop positions 

• Equipment

An awareness of the role of the prompt book

Principles of team work and working with others to achieve production goals

Production personnel

• Directors

• Designers 

• Production managers 

• Stage managers 

• Technical specialists 

• Venue management

Understanding of the purpose of laying the floor

Materials for floor laying

• Floor cloth/cladding 

• Dance floors 

• Carpet 

• Masonite 

• Vinyl

Work requirements for moving and assembling set pieces on stage

• Run and float a flat 

• Lash/toggle flats together 

• Pinhinge flats together 

• Correct use of screws and bolts 

• Use of correct knots

• Use of ‘H’ stands

The features and use of a range of knots

• Bowline 

• Clove hitch 

• Half-hitch 

• Reef knot 

• Rolling hitch 

• Truckies hitch 

• Overhand knot 

• Figure of eight knot 

- single

- double

• Whippings 

• Rope seizing

General knowledge of stage set pieces

• Scenery 

- framed

- weight bearing

- non-weight bearing

- soft furniture and other set

• Props 

• Revolves 

• Trucks 

• Fly systems

A basic understanding of occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation

An awareness of hazards in a staging environment

An awareness of appropriate OHS procedures when undertaking staging activities

• Safe manual handling procedures 

• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) 

• Safe work methods and procedures for using tools and equipment 

• Appropriate light and ventilation 

• Safe removal of hazardous waste 

• Safe use of detergents and chemicals 

• Appropriate fire retarding of sets 

• Use of fire safety curtains