Shows are the main access point for ColdTowne Theater’s entire customer base. As such, it is important that they are run professionally and that the utmost care is given to the audience’s ’s experience.

1. Theater lobby should be open and set up 1 hour before showtime. (30 minutes if there is a class in the lobby).
2. Lighting in the lobby should be set to the appropriate mood level, music should be playing, and the front of house slide show should be running on the monitor.
3. Houses should be open 10 minutes before showtime. The gong should be rung and the audience told “The House is Open!” loud and enthusiastically. The preshow video should be playing as the audience files in.
4. No more than 49 people are allowed inside the theater at any time. (This may vary per venue.)
5. Please make all efforts to provide a predictable experience for audience members. Many times they enter the lobby and do not know where to buy tickets, when they can go into the theater, etc. Please be on the lookout for confused audience members and assist them accordingly.

TECH

Good tech is essential to the show. Remember the following basic guidelines:

1. Loud house music (enough so people have to raise their voice to hear each other) should be playing as the audience files in.
2. House lights should be on, but dim and intimate.
3. Upbeat music should be playing during any lull in the show, including blackouts, between hosting segments and when troupes are taking the stage. This can kill a show if not done correctly!
4. Play transition music nice and loud
5. Lights should be pulled confidently, and music should play simultaneously.
6. ALWAYS check with the troupes for their tech needs before the show starts.
7. During the show you should remain in the tech booth. Something could go wrong, or a audio levels you thought were set correct could change. Take care of your business between shows so that you can remain in the booth during the show.
8. With the exception of the desk lamp, turn off all white lights in the booth during the show.
9. The house lights should be on and music playing as the audience exits.

HOSTING

Good hosting is essential to the show. The headlining troupe for each show block is responsible for hosting for the evening. Remember:

1. Relax. It isn’t your job to be funny. All you need to do is let people know to please be quiet during the show, what to expect, and to start applauding for the first act.
2. Starting the show with confidence helps the audience relax, and lets them know that we know what we’re doing. 
3. Make them feel excited and welcome.
4. Do not be wasted.

HOSTING/START OF SHOW PROCEDURES

1. Meet with the other groups before the show begins to see if they have any requests as to how they are introduced.
2. Projector screen should be put up before hosting begins.
3. The volume of the music playing turns up “nice and loud”, and the house lights are turned off simultaneously. Please try to make this transition smooth and professional.
4. Host runs out to loud music and applause.
5. Host dialogue should look something like this:

FIRST HOSTING SPOT:

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to ColdTowne Theater! If you haven’t already, we ask that you please take a moment to silence your phone, and we’re a small theater so we ask that you please refrain from talking during the show. By a round of applause who’s here for the first time? Welcome.

What you’re about to see will be completely improvised. Everything will be made up on the spot, and these shows will exists only once and then will be gone forever.

Tonight we have (name troupes in descending order, getting people to clap and cheer for each troupe). Coming to the stage first – put your hands together and make some noise for — XXX!

SECOND HOSTING SPOT

Let’s hear it again for XXX! And keep it going for your next troupe, XXX! (Get audience to applaud as loudly as possible)

CLOSING HOSTING SPOT

Thank you all so much for coming out tonight! Another big round of applause for XXX, XXX and (intern’s name)  in the booth. If you think this looks like fun, and want to give it a shot, we encourage you do so. Everyone you saw here tonight has been through classes, and we think anyone would benefit from taking them. We teach improv and sketch comedy classes here with some of the finest instructors in the South. Talk to anyone you’ve seen on stage or behind the bar for more information or sign our mailing list. SPECIAL WEEKLY PLUGS, Check out coldtownetheater.com for more information about shows! (Please deliver the “If this looks like fun, it is” speech with heart and intention.)

IF APPLICABLE: Please exit the door to the right. If you’re interested in attending the next show, stick around and we’ll let you in for free if there are tickets left! Please drive safe, keep supporting live comedy and and have a good night!

INTERN AND  HOUSE MANAGER POLICIES

Theater Interns and  House Managers are responsible for making shows run smoothly and efficiently. To receive their full discount, interns are required to work at least one night a week for the duration of each session. Discounts range from 25 – 100% off classes, depending on what night of the week the intern works. Interns and house managers are responsible for:

1. Opening, closing and setting up the theater
2. Keeping the theater (inside and out) clean.
3. Making sure shows run on time and houses are open.
4. Handling tech. Coordinating with host troupe.
5. Selling tickets and ushering. Keeping track of capacity.
6. Selling concessions.
7. Counting money.
8. Distributing fliers and signing people up for the mailing list.
9. Finding substitutes for themselves in the event they are going to be absent.

Failure to perform these duties may result in loss of internship and class discounts.