- 1). Determine the realistic capacity of the seating area of "the house." A massive seating area of may make no sense in a smaller community where it would be unlikely for many of these seats to be filled for a given performance. For a high school performing arts center, don't use the school's student population as a guide either: infrequent school-wide assemblies are more suited for gymnasiums. Otherwise, you will saddle performing arts groups with a depressing, and acoustically impossible, sea of empty seats at most performances.
- 2). Calculate the size of the stage area based on the expected size of the productions that will take place on the stage. If the center will be hosting "big" Broadway road shows or major concerts, a large stage area, 50 feet in width by 30 feet in depth, may be needed to accommodate these shows. But if big shows won't be produced very often, a smaller stage should be planned--one that will be "comfy and cozy" for smaller shows, 30 feet wide by 20 feet deep.
- 3). Plan for enough "wing" or "backstage" space. The wings on either side of the stage proper, and the area directly behind the back curtain or cyclorama, should combine to equal the actual stage area in square feet. This formula will make it possible to clear the stage and house all the equipment in the wings or behind the curtain line temporarily.
- 4). Include a shop space. A backstage shop should be, at minimum, at least two-thirds the size of the stage area itself. This will provide room for set building and other technical preparations without using the stage itself for these activities. The ceiling in the shop should be at least 12 feet tall and doors leading to the stage should be tall and extra wide, to permit movement of taller set pieces and equipment from the shop to the stage.
- 5). Design rehearsal spaces within the complex. Rehearsal rooms should be half the size of the stage, with ceilings at least 10 feet in height, to accommodate rehearsals for actors, dancers and orchestra members. A minimum of two rehearsal rooms is most efficient.
- 6). Design backstage dressing room spaces that will accommodate as many as 50 performers at one time, with men and women segregated in separate areas. Even high school musicals have cast and crew sizes that large. Each performer must be able to sit at a counter and apply makeup in front of a mirror, and each must be able to store personal belongings in a secure locker or "cubbie." All dressing rooms should have restroom facilities, sinks, showers and facilities for laundry.
- 7). Provide space for storage of equipment, tools, materials and set pieces. All storage rooms should have double doors, taller ceilings, and must be located on the same floor and level as the stage.
- 8). Calculate space for use as a lobby or audience holding area. A lobby should be able to comfortably and safely hold as many persons as there are seats in the house. Determine the optimum number of lobby restrooms needed to serve this maximum capacity house as well. Include a box office, concessions sales area, coat check and a "Cry Room" where parents can take unhappy toddlers for a time-out during a performance.
- 9). Include office and meeting space for house and production staff. A conference room with seating capacity for as many as 30 people is preferable.