Our CT might be able to get space to build a stage and seating in an old factory (yahoo!  Finally a venue!) but the owner needs to know how much space we need.  We know roughly how much we need for stage/seating but I have to draft up the plans and am not sure what amount of backstage/dressing room/storage space we need.  Does anyone have any info on requirements for a small CT?

Thanks!

I must agree with Joan54. There should be a theatrical supplier in your area who would be able to help you with your plans. My guide lines for back stage would be the same size as your stage half on each side. I know that seems like a lot and many theatres don't have that much. but a girl can dream... for dressings rooms think about the size of the biggest cast you have ever had in a show and increse it by half. storage space as much space as your stage if you can swing it. if you go in with these high square footage needs you can always cut space out of a plan. It is pretty hard to add extra space later. Good Luck.

G'donya K8tt!
I always tend to start with the stage area as the yard stick for the others.
A rule of thumb I always use for specific theatre areas multiply by 3. In nearly all venues I have had anything to with, either as a new purposeful built or a modified space. It always seems to come down to this relationship, when comparing the auditorium to the stage area or the height of the Fly loft to the Pro. [Pro height from the deck to Teaser 12?, you need a 24? void in the fly loft - making it 36? in all]
Similar with On stage to Off. Including storage & other areas needed backstage.
This holds also with electrical provisions, if the stage requires say 20 lighting patch circuits in the FOH, you can warrant 60 needed on stage. Of course you have to be judicial & take into account the practical logistics of the space. Using 2 lighting Bars FOH, it would be an over kill to have 6 lighting Battens on stage, where by 3 only would be needed.
But I must say it is refreshing to read that an Architect  actually knows anything about theatre, like what we are about or how it works!
I have yet to meet one that has any idea or theatre experience, beyond that of maybe being a punter once or twice!

Originally posted by Joan54   The rules that shut us down were lack of fire exits ( they need to be a certain size with special hardware on the doors etc.) and also that the chairs had to be permanently bolted to the floor so they couldn't tip over in a stampede ( presumably the inspector was expecting us to have really bad plays).

Gee, I know I've been in quite a few theatres where the chairs are the square-ish upholstered metal or wood ones that are NOT bolted down...or the folding style chair...in black box theatres and in community halls, etc...what about all that?

Thanks for the info!  I found a couple of Comm. theatre designs (I hadn't thought about a separate rehearsal hall - good idea).  I'm having fun arranging the myriad of spaces needed while still making sure they are accessible to emergency exits. 

Playwright - I would love to know which Ontario theatre is in a factory/warehouse.  We're in Nova Scotia.

Gaafa - thanks for the lighting info for this and for the help answering my lighting question about our next play, Marvin's Room (small stage, three separate areas to light, remember?).  My lighting techs were very happy to get your info and our last play (Faith County) made enough money to go buy some fresnels and barn doors.  The techies are SO excited.