Energetiks Dance Competition

Competition Advice for Dancers

Her Majestys Theatre Rules

Risk Assessment Checklist

Competition Advice for Dancers

Competition Advice for dancers includes important information for all competitors in the 2011 Energetiks Dance Competition - please click here to download.

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Her Majestys Theatre Rules

Click here to download and read the Her Majesty's Theatre Rules - as seen in the 2011 Syllabus.

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It is a Her Majesty's Theatre requirement that any performance on stage that has the following: ladders, bikes, scooters, throwing or performing in front of the curtain, requires a special permission to be granted prior to the performance.

Click here for dates the forms are due for this years competition and to download a Risk Assessment Checklist and form.

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Props

Construction

The following construction and electrical notes are some safety issues you must address when building props to be used in Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat. These are not just suggestions, they are OH&S Requirements!
All props must be structurally sound and suitable for the task. The Theatre Tech will have the final say in all matters of safety, suitability, and transport of props.

*1. NO GLASS or Ceramic items allowed! Eg. bowls, cups, vases, and MIRRORS. Please use plastic or al-foil substitutes.

2. Chairs. Please use Rubber feet for stability. If your performance needs the chair stuck to the stage with Blu-tac, then you must send in a Risk Assessment form. Even so, using blu-tac to stabilize an inherently dangerous design (eg narrow piano stool) may not be allowed.

2. No Blu-tac. In general, blu-tac is not to be used on the stage surface, eg to hold down sets, props, or chairs. Redesign the base to provide adequate stability.

3. Prop on Wheels. Risk Assessment required.

4. Castor wheels. On any prop using swivel castors, at least 2 castors must be Lockable. Risk Assessment required.

5. No Elastic straps eg “occy” straps, bungee straps etc, are Not to be used to hold props and sets together. They can be very dangerous if they break.

6. Screws etc. No protruding sharp ends of screws, nails, wires etc from anywhere on the prop, such that any unsuspecting person could be injured whilst handling or performing. Grind them off or cover them. Many people beyond yourself handle your props.
7. Sharp / pointy ends of props. Blunt them as much as possible, make them of cardboard or plastic rather than wood. Using canes, umbrellas, spears etc may require a Risk Assessment.

8. Height 3m. Maximum height of a prop, set, background scenery etc, will be
3 metres. Whilst being carried on, it still must not exceed the 3 metres because of side stage lighting bars.

9. Width 3m. Maximum width of any prop or sub-assembly of a set, that has to be carried around the end of the white cyc, shall be 3 metres.

10. Removing props down the stairs. Any prop or sub-assembly thereof that is to be carried up/down the backstage stairway, must not obstruct the view of the carrier, and bulky pieces must be Less than 0.5 X 0.5 x 1.8 metres in size. Large items must go on the stage lift, or via the South Fire Escape. The Theatre Tech will decide.

***11. Risk Assessment. You must also read the Risk Assessment Checklist on our website. If any of those items or use applies to your props, the Assessment form must be completed and returned to RSSS at least 2 weeks before the start of your discipline of the comps (eg Calisthenics, Dance, or Plays).

Electricals

If electricity is used in any scenery, set, prop, hand held device etc that you are using in your performance in HMT, there are some safety issues you Must address.

*1. Test & Tag. Any 240 volt circuit in your prop, whether mains operated or battery inverter supplied, must be tested and have a current safety compliance tag.

**2. Covered Wiring. All wiring for the above circuits must Not be exposed. It must be covered up within the prop construction, or run through electrical conduit. The wiring should not be touchable by fingers, and not be damageable by knocks or falling over. Normal flexible power cord can connect the prop to the power point.

3. Power cords connecting any electrical device to the theatre’s power points, must have double insulation. Standard 2 or 3 core power flex is suitable.
“Figure of 8 twin flex” (as used on older table lamps and tape players) is NOT suitable, unless it has a separate outer sheath.
No single wire can be connected to the theatre power points, eg just an earth wire.

4. 12 volt. Circuits operating on 12 volts or less, do not need the above three requirements. However if a mains operated power supply is used, that part must comply with 1,2,3.

5. Batteries. Batteries used on props must be “sealed” type, and not able to leak when left in any position. Torch batteries ok.
Sealed lead acid gel batteries ok but need a Risk Assessment..
Low or no-maintenance “sealed” automotive batteries are Not suitable.

**6. Lights. Glass globes or tubes used to illuminate a prop must be Protected. This will require a major re-think of prop construction. They must be built into a recess or trough, with a Perspex or wire mesh “window“, Protection means that the globe cannot be damaged by a knock, being stood on, or the prop falling over; or that costume material etc cannot contact the hot surface.

7. “Christmas tree” chain lights. If 240 volt operated (series connections), then they canNOT be used, unless protected as above! If 12 volt or lower operation (parallel connections) also need some protection, but those within a flexible plastic tube could be used as is. (test/tag the power supply).

8. LED lights. Chains or strings of LEDs within flexible plastic tubing are very safe, and can be used as is without other protection. (test/tag the power supply).

9. Motors Electric motor operated props - motor, gears, chains etc must be covered, and the motor operated within its designed loading. Electrical testing and earthing as required. Theatre Tech will need to inspect.
Save yourself a lot of trouble and use battery driven devices.

*10. Inspection Even though a prop has a compliance safety tag, the Theatre Technician will still need to inspect your creation before use, and if deemed unsafe, will deny its operation!
11. Connecting to power points. You must ask the Theatre Tech when where and how to connect your prop. Not all power points are power points!

12. In Dressing rooms. A reminder that any 240 volt appliance you use, eg hair curlers, CD player, must have a safety compliance tag, or else it may be confiscated.

Coping with the Sloping

Seriously note the following suggestions for stabilizing your props. Act on it now, not when you get to the competition. Theatre Technicians can ban your prop or performance if they deem it unsafe. Please avoid this happening by being prepared as you don’t want this to happen just as you prepare to go on stage!

1. TILT BACK. All Flat props, measured when sitting on a level floor, should tilt at 18cm (or more) back from vertical measured at 1 metre up from the floor (or 9cm at ½ metre up etc). If a brace (stay) is used to hold the prop, the brace should contact the floor about 50cm (or more) back from the prop face, per metre of prop height (depending on other props and choreography). This will provide adequate tilt for use on the sloping stage.
2. The BRACE The brace must be firmly attached to the prop panel/frame with a strong strap or back-flap hinge or similar (but not a standard butt hinge), such that the brace cannot collapse sideways. A Velcro strap should hold the brace flat and safe from twisting during transport. This brace must be sandbag able, as show to the right. Here are just some options:
3. LITTLE FLAT props Little flat props up to 30cm high, may only need 1or 2 angle brackets (12 x12 cm) bent to achieve the correct angle, or a solid wood base. Either arrangement must be accessible for a sandbag.
4. NORMAL FLAT props (a) Cord. Props up to a metre or so high, usually have a brace at the back, held at the bottom by a cord. Cord strung part way up the brace is Unsuitable! (Unless modified as in b, c, or d) Cord or a strong tape should run from (or very near to) the bottom of the brace to the bottom of the prop face. This allows a sandbag to hold it down properly.
(b) A Cross piece A cross piece about 20 - 30cm long, very firmly attached (screwed, glued, braced) to the lower end of the brace as a “T” , which can be held down by sandbags. A basic modification for all simple braces!**
(c) Larger Props: French Base For bigger props or any flat prop at all, it is much safer to use a French Brace. This is a rigid triangular timber brace, attached to the back of the prop frame with top and bottom hinges. The brace can be folded flat for storage. Removable hinge pins ok for storage and transport. The horizontal member should extend 10cm beyond the brace to take a sandbag. Highly recommended. Gives excellent stability!**
(d) Large/wide panels and props For large / wide panel props, make the brace a suitably sized rectangle, cross-braced, with the bottom horizontal member clear to take sandbags. Alternatively use 2 French Braces as above
(e) Variable angle stays. The brace is attached to the bottom of the prop back by a hinged rigid strut. The top of the brace can be moved up or down. Right up for transport, down to various positions to suit a level stage or a sloped stage. This is an excellent brace, but the top of the movable brace must be firmly attached to the prop eg) with a quick action catch, pin, bolt etc, such that it cannot come apart if knocked. Simply jamming the brace in a notch is not allowed.
5. Three-Dimensional Props Three dimensional boxes props include: drums, stands, pianos, fireplaces, houses, tree trunks, furniture, etc. These may be impossible to tilt back, but if so, only 3cm per metre in height. Just make sure they are stable on stage. (a) Boxes. Width should be 1.25 times the height if they are to be danced upon. Preferably to have a floor in them, and an 18cm diameter access hole in the lower back, through which sandbags can be placed inside the box.
(b) Pianos Should have a floor in them and 2 or 3 access holes (18cm diam.) along the bottom back of the prop, where sandbags can be inserted. If the piano is to be sat on, jumped from etc, consider attaching a length of timber to the bottom of the ends to give it more stability depth wise.
(c) Columns, Tree trunks, Hat stands. Fix firmly to a base that is at least 12cm wider than the column in every direction, so that sandbags can be placed all round. Or, it must have a floor and access hole in the back through which sandbags can be inserted. If Tilt Back is possible, only 3cm per metre height.
(d) Houses, Igloos, Fireplaces etc. Have a horizontal part of the frame at the back, available to take sandbags if necessary.
6. LEGS Spindly table legs, narrow coffee tables, bassinet legs etc, If there is much activity with these props, consider attaching a horizontal piece of wood between the bottom of 2 legs, to take a sandbag.
7. MOVABLE props. This includes prams, ships, cars, animals, etc. (a) Always Hand Held. If the prop is constantly held/controlled by the performer, or taken side stage when not in use, then straight wheels are ok, but not swivel-in-all-directions furniture castors!
(b) Only held while shifting. If the prop is moved by the performer to various positions then left unattended, do NOT use wheels. Push it around on little carpet pads stuck to the prop. If you really need wheels, life gets complicated. You must have a brake system, or lockable castors, or a portable sandbag, all of which have to be operated by the performer during performance! Prams could operate with normal rear wheels, but have the front wheels locked to the chassis and fitted with carpet pads. Wheel-barrows are ok.
8. LADDERS Only Industrial step ladders can be used, and you can only go 2 steps up the ladder, 3 steps up if someone holds the ladder! Anything more than that needs Special Permission. RSSS will provide an Industrial A frame step ladder. 9. BIKES Bikes, scooters, skate boards, roller blades etc. Special Permission needed for use on sloping stage. Occ Health & Safety issues. 10. ROLLING things Balls, sticks, canes, pencils, cylindrical props etc that might roll down stage when unattended. Consider a “blutak” pad, a weight stuck on, or suitable placement on stage. 11. THROWING things Balls, arrows, spears, axes, books etc. (nothing to do with slope, but) Special permission needed. OH&S issues. 12. Performing IN FRONT of main CURTAIN, This is basically no unless Special Permission is obtained - which means Risk Assessment form and HMT Technical Managers approval.

These are just some of the ways to improve the use of props. I am sure you can think of other ways. Bottom line is that the stage props must be safe and stable, and then the whole performance will be safe.

Dancing Dangers

Click here to view information on Dancing Dangers

Troupe Works

Troupe Works Information Sheet and instructions 2011

HMT Stage Lighting & Plotting Rules 2011

Lighting Cue Form 2011

Scenery to be hung & fly line request form 2011

Light Plotting Booking Forms

Troupe numbers backstage form

Passes

Teachers Pass Application form - please download print (return by Friday 19th August 2011)

Parent pass Application form - please download and print (return by Friday 19th August 2011) NB restrictions on pass.

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