Buying Supplies and Renting Equipment
The Theatres maintain accounts with most major theatrical vendors, and also run a "general store" of the most frequently needed items. With advance notice and approval, we can setup relationships with vendors on an ad-hoc basis as well (e.g. if you need to order $1000 of bamboo from Tropical Supply, Inc.). Below is general information on procedures and our major vendors. We also maintain an internal list of suppliers for just about everything - ask us if you are stuck!
Billing Information Form
The General Store
Ordering From Vendors
Renting Equipment
Paint and Stage Hardware
Lumber and Wood Products
Lighting Supply and Rental
Sound and A/V Rentals
Drops and Fabrics
Billing Information Form: Before using the Theatre accounts or the Theatre general store, all shows must fill out a billing information form. Part of filling out this form is the creation of a "show code" to be used as a reference (or P.O.) number on all orders. This allows us to track invoices to specific shows.
The General Store: We stock many commonly needed supplies in a locked storeroom in the Agassiz shop. Items include gaffers tape, black floor paint, roller sleeves, makeup kits, spare tool parts, spare lamps, and various other consumables. Access is self-service after an initial meeting with a staff TD. Sales Forms are kept in the storeroom and must be filled out at time of purchase.
Ordering From Vendors: Further on below is a list of our preferred vendors. When ordering, make sure of the following:
- The vendor includes your name and show code on the bill.
- The vendor knows HOW and WHERE to deliver your order.
- You can afford what you are buying.
- Check to see if our General Store stocks it first.
- Expect that the real world doesn't move on your timetable and don't make unreasonable demands (ex. same day delivery for 50 cents worth of nails).
Renting Equipment: We have relationships with major sound and lighting rental companies. These companies require a certain amount of lead time in order to secure your rental order. Please look at our lighting pages for information on how to rent lights. A common problem is when shows forget to count the equipment they receive and then count it again when they return it. You will be charged for any equipment the companies think you have lost - even if you never actually got it.
Backstage Scenic - 617.330.1422
21 Drydock Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
Eric and Janet Engelson
Rosco dealer including paints and hardware, as well as a full True-Value
Hardware store that delivers.
goget@flash.net
www.backstagehardware.com
We love Backstage Scenic! It is a full Rosco dealer (meaning all kinds of paints, supplies, and equipment) and a full neighborhood hardware store. They "get" theater. They also deliver to us (usually next day, but sometimes longer). Contact by phone or email. Make sure to specify a show code, and where you want delivery.
Stock Building Supply / The Clifford Company - (978) 375-1370
Clifford Currier
Cliff is a one man lumber yard, now operating as a representative for Stock Building Supply. He offers excellent service and free delivery (for reasonable orders; small orders will be charged for delivery). It is best to make large orders rather than many small orders - you will be charged less this way.
Cliff delivers in 2 to 3 days, give or take 2 to 3 days. Make sure to indicate where you want it delivered. If you leave him an order over the phone, make sure to give a callback number.
Delivery by Stock Building Supply. Cliff is now a representative for Stock. He is committed to high-quality service, but (unlike the past) Cliff does not make the deliveries himself. To arrange a delivery, you must:
- arrange a date and a time with Cliff
- ordinarily, suggest a 2PM delivery time
- have a crew sufficient to unload the truck available in the shop from 1/2 hour before the time until the truck arrives
- have enough people to get the load off the truck quickly. If the driver has to wait more than a few minutes you will be charged and everyone's prices will go up
Home Depot
in Somerville, Watertown, and South Boston
We generally only use Home Depot when we need something absolutely immediately. Sadly, the formerly 24-hour store in South Boston now closes at midnight, so plan ahead. We do not have a credit account with them, but they do take major credit cards. The store in Watertown at the Arsenal Mall is the easiest to reach. Ask us for driving directions.
Please look at our lighting pages for information on how to rent lights.
High Output - 781 364 1800
495 Turnpike Street, Canton MA 02021
Rentals: Antoine Gagnon agagnon@highoutput.com, 781.364.1835 and Mark Lorenzo, mlorenzo@highoutput.com, 781.364.1848
Sales: Rob Istnick, sales@highoutput.com, 781.364.1845
High Output used to be right next to Harvard Stadium, but has unfortunately retreated to the suburban ease of Canton, MA. They stock a very extensive rental inventory, as well as having a full sales operation. They may deliver once or twice a week in the Boston Area. You must talk to Tom Morgan before renting, and you should follow the style described at Lighting Rental Order Details and Formatting.
Galley Lighting - 978.975.3498
Methuen Business Center
20 Aegean Drive, Unit 16
Methuen, MA 01844
Charles and Sandra Galley
A family run lighting rental company, the Galley's usually have slightly more competitive prices, but might not always have what you need in stock. Talk to Tom Morgan before renting.
Backstage Scenic (see above)
Backstage stocks lighting gel, gobos, and some other lighting consumables.
Boston Light and Sound - 787-3131
124 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA 02134
Celine Larrimer
Very good for high quality rentals and as "hired guns" for
an event.
Terry Hanley Audio Systems - 661-1520
329 Elm Street, Cambridge
Judy Bernstein
Sound rentals
Bontronics - 623-5039
290R Broadway, Somerville
Bill Sluskonis
Bontronics rents A/V projectors and displays. They also do sales.
Rose Brand- 800 223 1624
517 W35th St, NYC 10001
http:/www.rosebrand.com
Rose Brand is an excellent supplier of fabrics and curtains for theatre, as well as screens, hardware, tapes, and fabricated curtains (lots of other good stuff, as well). We have catalogs and swatchbooks in our office. We especially like to buy fabric through Rose Brand, because they have a great catalog that clearly states the flame-retardant properties of all the materials so you know what can be used on a stage. They ship very quickly (but that is not a reason to procrastinate!) The best way to order is to have Tom Morgan forward an e-mail.
Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co. - 800-453-7775
1423 N. Salina St.
Syracuse, New York 13208
SSSLsales@aol.com
Christine Kaiser, Sheila Quinlan
SSSL is a great company that makes drops and curtains, sells fabric, and does many other things including install rigging systems. They carry a wide variety of fabrics. We have a very good
relationship with them and use them often for sewn curtains.
