The stage in the EPPiC Theatre takes up approximately one third of the total floor area. It is also the only place in the building where the ceiling is visible from the ground floor. In other words, the upstairs area does not extend over the stage.
The stage floor is actually the roof of the underground dressing room. However, as the roof of the dressing room is concrete, the stage floor has been boarded over and a stage carpet fitted.
On the stage left side the top of the spiral staircase exits to the wings. This is the only means that the cast have to get on stage from the dressing room. Access to stage right means crossing the back of the set.
On the stage right side is an under-floor scenery pit, where we keep scenery, flats and sections of specially built set. The remaining scenery sections are stacked upright, in the upstage left corner. The upstage right corner houses the ladder dock.
The Stage Manager controls the production from the stage left corner. The controls for the electric curtain motor and stage working-lights are located here. A headset and microphone allow communication with the lighting/sound control room.
Mid stage there is a curtain track which allows the depth of the stage to be reduced by half. A wipe-track is also installed and this can be moved to accommodate the needs of the production.
The line of the proscenium arch is not actually the front of the stage. There is an extension of approximately 1.5 metres in front of the arch. This allows some action to take place 'front of tabs' while the scene is changed behind. The curtain track can be moved and fixed a small distance upstage from the arch. This makes an entrance at each end for 'front of tabs' scenes.
The stage is 1.2 metres higher than the auditorium floor. Access to the auditorium is via a few stairs on the stage left of the extension.
From here you can go down the spiral staircase to the Dressing Room, down the front stage steps into the Auditorium or through the Stage Door to the outside world.
