How to get soft goods for the Ex at the Loeb:
You must check out soft goods with your board liaison, ex coordinator, tech liaison, or Michael Griggs.

How to get soft goods for the Mainstage at the Loeb:
You will be able to get softgoods for a mainstage production with the assistance of the ART stage supervisor or assistant (Joe or Jaie) or Michael Griggs.

Soft Goods Guidelines (being updated 12-04)

            The ART maintains a large stock of soft goods and masking for their own productions and the use of the HRDC Mainstage & Ex productions.   Because of the relative fragility of fabric, the high cost of replacing soft goods, and the importance of masking as part of the stage "furnishings", the ART will maintain tight control over access to the soft goods and enforces strict rules and regulations concerning its use.  These rules serve not to penalize certain groups or productions but to ensure that these materials will remain available in an optimum condition for every one.  As such, the following is a list of rules and policies pertaining to the use and availability of soft goods:

1.         All soft goods must be maintained in as clean an environment as possible.  As such, they should not be hung until all painting is complete (in Ex shows), or they are rigged in such a manner that they can quickly be removed from harm's way (on Mainstage shows).  A discussion with the stage supervisor will be needed in shows in which spurting blood, thrown food or other conditions could damage the fabric.  Materials should only be taken down and folded in a clean and dry environment, usually at the beginning of strikes or late, after the floor has been swept, etc.  Ex shows should note how goods are folded when they receive them so they can duplicate the folding technique for return.

2.         All soft goods should be hung right side up, using the ties provided, and should hang above or just brush the floor.  Use of materials that requires them to bunch on the floor, or risks people walking on or scenery rolling over part of the fabric is to be avoided. 

3.         No tape is to come in contact with soft goods.  Ever!  This can ruin soft goods. If the goods you have suffer any damage, please see an ART staff person before you attempt a repair.  Pins are only to be used on materials with express permission of ART staff. 

4.         Drapery clips, drop stretchers, or other clamping devices should only be used in such a manner that they are not supporting undue fabric weight and do not risk either tearing or marring the fabric.  This is especially a risk with velours.

5.         On return of materials, ART staff person should be told about any damage during use.  On Mainstage strikes this may occur as the pieces are taken down. Cost of repairs to minor damage may be charged to the show's budget.  Costly or unwarranted damage may lead to the individual responsible for the materials being denied future borrowing privileges at the discretion of the ART stage supervisor in discussion with the Loeb TD and the HRDC tech liaison.  Any unauthorized use of materials may lead to immediate removal of materials from the theatre and loss of borrowing privileges for the person responsible.  Never take materials without permission.

II.        Who gets what:

            The soft goods inventory is divided into a couple of basic categories, as follows:

1. Mainstage size goods:	Legs >18' tall
	Borders > 35' wide
	Drops > 30 wide, > 16' tall

   Mainstage goods are for use by Mainstage shows either ART or HRDC.  Because of their size, they are usually not appropriate for use in the Ex. Some show-specific materials (painted drops, etc) are only available at ART's discretion.  Never assume that an item is available without confirming it with the ART stage staff.

2. Experimental Theatre size goods:	Legs <18' tall
	Borders < 35' wide
	Drops < 30 wide, < 16' tall

Lumped together here are smaller goods from a variety of sources in an attempt to create a large common pool of goods available to ART, Institute, and HRDC productions.  On the inventory sheets these goods are labeled as XL (legs) XB (borders) XD (drops) to set them apart from other materials.  These goods are available in the following priority rankings:

1.  HRDC Ex productions
2.  ART professional productions (Mainstage /Newstages/tours)
3.  ART Institute other productions with permission from Loeb Tech Director (Zero Church, Cabot House, etc)

            If your show is creating masking or drops that you would like to donate to this common pool, donations are welcome, just bring them to the stage supervisor so they can be properly entered into the inventory.

3.         Miscellaneous: These are oddball goods, often for highly specific use such as snow slings, balcony masking, etc.  Many are not available for use for other purposes; all requests for use are subject to approval by ART stage supervisor.

III.       Inventory:        See inventory lists for Loeb Mainstage and Experimental Theatre.  Remember all use is subject to approval; never assume that materials are available until you've had a meeting with the ART stage staff.  ART staff is also available to help suggest solutions to masking problems, answer questions on rigging procedures, and generally help you get the job done.