DEBAUN AUDITORIUM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The following policies and procedures shall be in effect during any use of DeBaun Auditorium by a rental organization. The requesting group agrees that its members and guests will abide by them.

♦ Access to DeBaun Auditorium: All groups using DeBaun Auditorium must be accompanied by a member of the DeBaun Auditorium staff while using the facility as assigned by DeBaun’s Managing or Technical Director. Access to DeBaun Auditorium is restricted to those persons and/or groups using the facility during their contracted time of use only.

♦ Technical Access: Access to the production booth, sound pit and use of the equipment therein is limited to DeBaun Auditorium staff unless the Technical Director gives written authorization.

♦ DeBaun Auditorium Staff: Only authorized DeBaun Auditorium staff members may operate the equipment in the auditorium, backstage or satellite areas. Use or operation of such equipment by a non-staff person requires the permission of the Technical Director and the supervision of a member of the DeBaun Auditorium staff. Members of DeBaun’s Staff will technically staff all events held at DeBaun Auditorium, including house management, stage management, and operate sound, lighting, and audiovisual equipment. The staff also has the right of refusal of any unsafe or unreasonable requests made of them and/or the space. Non-technical staff, such as ushers and running crew, may be supplied by the rental organization and must be specified at the time of contract. Proper training and orientation of said non-technical staff must occur before the event, and they must adhere to all of DeBaun’s Policies and Procedures. At the beginning of a rental period, there will be an introduction of the DeBaun Staff to the event’s organizers and participants, to promote better cooperation and understanding during an event.

♦ Food and Beverages: Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at DeBaun Auditorium, both in the main stage and backstage areas. Food and beverages are allowed in the backstage area only and prohibited on stage and in the main auditorium (excluding bottled water). Any concessions sold and/or purchased are restricted to the lobby area and are strictly prohibited from entering the Auditorium. Rental organizations are not permitted to offer pre or post show refreshments to their audiences in the lobby or Auditorium.

♦ Smoking, Open Flame and Smoke/Fog Machines: Smoking and/or the burning of any substance, including but not limited to smoke/fog machines, candles, matches, or torches, is not permitted anywhere within DeBaun Auditorium or Edwin A. Stevens Hall in which the auditorium is housed. If a script calls for smoking or the use of any fire effects, the Technical Director must approve in writing. Any infraction of smoking regulations may be cause for ending an event and/or the closing of the facility. DeBaun Auditorium will not be financially or in any other respect liable for the execution of this right.

♦ Painting: Drop cloths are required when painting anywhere in DeBaun Auditorium, with the exception of the scene shop. Spray painting is prohibited in the auditorium unless it is approved by the Technical Director and there is proper ventilation.

♦ Box Office: Box office duties, including the selling of tickets both pre-sale and at the door, will be handled by the rental organization unless otherwise agreed upon at the time of contracting. The theater seats a total of 480 unless the spotlights are used, bringing this number down to 470. The orchestra seats 314, and the balcony 166 (with no spotlights used.) Tickets can be sold up to the amount of seats available in the house - no chairs or standing room is allowed along the back wall of either the orchestra or balcony. (see also American Disabilities Act below)

♦ Proper Use of Auditorium: Entrances and exits to the auditorium and satellite area must be unobstructed at all times. All aisles and fire exits will be kept clear at all times during the event including the left and right rear portions of the main floor of the auditorium. There is no standing room in the auditorium whatsoever (see also American Disabilities Act below). At the end of the performance, the Auditorium and its facilities (backstage, house, main stage, bathrooms, lobby area) will be left in a clean and satisfactory manner; otherwise there will be an extra charge for cleaning and/or damaged items as determined by DeBaun’s Managing and Technical Directors.

♦ Lobby:DeBaun’s lobby will be setup according to the contract specifications. All signs and displays will be approved before they are setup. Only masking tape is to be used to post signs, with no tape of any sort used on the woodwork. DeBaun’s information table will be setup at all times and will not be moved or re-organized by the rental organization. All signs will be removed immediately following the event; otherwise additional cleaning charges will be applied. (see also Food and Beverages).

♦ Parking: Due to the limitations of the campus, DeBaun Auditorium and/or Stevens will not supply parking. This includes the area behind Edwin A. Stevens Hall and the alleyway by the backstage doors. The backstage doors will be used to load-in equipment for the rental, but trucks and cars will not be allowed to park in that area during the performance. No exceptions will be made to this policy, nor is DeBaun Auditorium, Stevens, and/or its staff members responsible for any parking tickets incurred by rental organizations.

♦ Insurance: A copy of the organization’s insurance will be provided to DeBaun’s Managing Director at time of contract. Stevens Institute of Technology and DeBaun Auditorium are not to be held liable for any personal injury, accidents, or incidents that occur in the Auditorium, Edwin A. Stevens Hall, or Stevens campus.

♦ Rights: If applicable, performance rights must be purchased by the rental organization prior to time of contract with DeBaun. A copy of the rights will be given to DeBaun’s Managing Director at the signing of the contract.

♦ American Disabilities Act (ADA): DeBaun Auditorium is designed to accommodate the physically challenged, including: wheelchair access to the building by the rear entrance, and elevator access to the balcony; wheelchair seating in the front and back rows of the orchestra, and the back row of the balcony; and all bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.

♦ Event End: Participants in events scheduled at DeBaun Auditorium must vacate the area no later than thirty minutes following the event end time listed on the technical contract. Efforts must be made by the rental group to conclude events at the time specified to avoid incurring additional labor charges.

♦ Rental Group Items: Arrangements for delivery and removal of equipment, costumes, props, set pieces and personal items not belonging to DeBaun Auditorium must be made with the Technical and Managing Directors and be included in the technical contract/rider. Items must be removed within 72 hours from the close of the rental event/performance. Neither DeBaun Auditorium nor its staff is to be held responsible for damage, theft or loss of property. DeBaun’s equipment or furnishings may not be removed from DeBaun Auditorium or its satellite areas without permission from DeBaun’s Directors.

♦ Force Mejeure: Except as otherwise provided in other sections of this agreement, neither DeBaun Auditorium, Edwin A. Stevens Hall, Stevens Institute of Technology nor the rental group will be held liable for failure to perform, present or appear if such failure is caused by or due to serious illness, accident, riot, strike, acts of God or any other legitimate conditions beyond their control. If Stevens Institute of Technology and/or Edwin A. Stevens Hall are closed due to weather, natural disaster, or an emergency of any sort, DeBaun’s Directors have the right and responsibility to close the theater and cancel any performances and/or rehearsals that are scheduled at that time. The rental organization is responsible for the DeBaun Directors having proper contact information in case such emergency occurs. If the DeBaun Directors must close the theater, there will be no rental fee collected for the cancelled rehearsal and/or performance.

♦ Contract Agreement: This agreement constitutes the complete understanding of both parties regarding the usage of DeBaun Auditorium. It is understood that any changes, additions or deletions must be in written form and signed by both parties as an addendum to this agreement. It is further understood that this agreement cannot be assigned or transferred. DeBaun Auditorium reserves the right to cancel the contract should the organization fail to cooperate and comply.

For any questions concerning the above policies and procedures, please contact our office at 201.216.8933 or send e-mail to center@debaun.org.

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Send questions or comments to center@debaun.org.

© DeBaun Auditorium, 2000-2008
DeBaun Auditorium is owned and operated by Stevens Institute of Technology