Monday Night at the National - Performer Letter
of Agreement
The following document confirms the understanding between THE INDIVIDUAL
or PERFORMING GROUP or ATTRACTION [referred to hereinafter as YOU
or the PERFORMER], and the National Theatre Corporation for an appearance
by you or your group in the free MONDAY NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL series.
YOU will present two 45 to 55-minute performances in The Helen
Hayes Gallery at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenues,
NW, Washington DC 20004 on a Monday Night, the first performance
at 6:00 p.m., and the second at 7:30 p.m.
Date
The date of the performances will be confirmed between us by email.
Honorarium
We will pay you an honorarium of $375.00 for the evening - your
performances at 6:00 p.m., and again at 7:30 p.m. Payments are issued
in the name of the attraction unless otherwise requested by email,
and are mailed to you on the Tuesday following your performance,
at the address you have provided.
Cancellation
Unanticipated performances on the National Theatre mainstage, or
severely inclement weather conditions, occasionally preempt a Monday
Night performance. In the event of such a conflict, your Monday
Night performance may be canceled, even on relatively short notice.
Unfortunately it will not be possible to re-schedule you within
the current season, but you will receive your honorarium, provided
we have already confirmed an agreement by email. We will make every
effort to re-schedule you (with an additional honorarium, of course)
at some later time).
In case of severe inclement weather, please call 703-524-1616 to
determine whether the performance will take place. Since
many of our guests arrive by METRO, we do not cancel unless the
weather situation is quite severe.
Union Restrictions
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local
#22 has a contract with The National Theatre to provide all professional
technical services in the building. The Union has agreed not to
require the employment of professional technicians for these free
performances in the Helen Hayes Gallery, provided certain
guidelines pertaining to those performances are met. You agree to
abide by these guidelines as defined in the following paragraphs.
The possible consequences of a violation of these regulations are
several fold for you and for the National Theatre, and include:
1) a halt in your performance consequent to a union complaint; 2)
cancellation of your performance; 3) cancellation of all other groups
scheduled to appear in the Helen Hayes Gallery, which would place
the outreach programs of the National Theatre in jeopardy.
You therefore agree not to employ paid sound or light technicians
in the National Theatre (other than the persons who appear in your
show), or to bring in equipment exceeding the specifications which
follow below.
Staging
Area "A"
Staging Area "B"
Please understand that these performances are not on our mainstage
in the 1,700-seat auditorium, but in the Helen Hayes Gallery on
the second floor of the theatre which seats about 125 people.
Please make this clear to all your performers, especially any children
in your company, who may otherwise be disappointed.
If you have sizeable props or scenery pieces, please study the
measurement below carefully, so you know which area will best accommodate
your needs, and so that you will not unnecessarily carry in pieces
which do not fit. We have a passenger-size elevator to assist
you in bringing in your stage props. Remember: nothing larger than
performers themselves carry in. Our personnel cannot assist.
This is a union requirement.
Seating is movable, so two performance areas/arrangements in the
Gallery are possible "Area "A" and
Area "B". We need to know which area you prefer,
so that the seats can be set up in advance if possible. If
you let us know your choice in advance, you will save your energy
for performing rather than readjusting, and we can avoid the problem
of our staff having to reset the chairs in the limited time before
the audience is admitted.
If you have not played the Helen Hayes Gallery it would be very
helpful both to you and to us to attend our Orientation Meeting
preceding the season, to attend a performance, or call us for an
appointment, to familiarize yourself with the space in advance of
your performance date.
Staging Area "A" - Formal Stage:
This is an elevated mini-stage with a front curtain, and
a small platform in front of the curtain. The stage
(top of the magenta area) is located at one end of the room.
The stage area is small, but has accommodated as many as 8
dancers. The floor is is linoleum, and has served for tap
dancers and several couples of Mexican dancers.
There is a small carpeted platform two steps down from the
stage (front magenta area). There are four steps from the
platform to the floor. Portable step units are at either side
of the platform. One or both can be moved to the center of
the platform to make a grand central staircase from the platform
down into the audience. The carpet can be removed for acts
such as flamenco dance and tap dance.
There is no exit from the stage, except from the front, and
there is minimal area behind the back and side curtain on
the stage, so most exits and entrances must be made using
the stairs.
The audience sits facing the stage head-on (blue area). Children
(if any) often sit on the carpet in front of the seating,
and adults in chairs further back. Action on the stage or
the platform is clearly visible all the way to the back of
the seating.
When props are too high for the stage, or for other reasons,
some performers choose to perform entirely (in the magenta
area) in front of the stage platform on the same
level as the audience. Action "below the belt"
may not be seen by those seated in the back. |
 |
"A" Measurements:
|
| 10' |
 |
0" |
|
Front
edge of stage to back curtain |
| 7' |
|
10" |
|
Stage Floor
to Ceiling |
| 15' |
|
0" |
|
Stage Opening
(less curtain storage at sides) |
| 4' |
|
0" |
|
Front edge
of platform to long removable step |
| 0' |
|
15" |
|
Depth of
long removable step |
| 8' |
|
10" |
|
Platform
level to Ceiling |
| 10' |
|
0" |
|
Platform
width |
| 0' |
|
42" |
|
Platform
height from floor |
| 0 |
|
15" |
|
Platform
level to stage floor* |
| 0' |
|
33" |
|
Width of
2 movable stairs, 3 steps/stair |
A 1" lip in the front of the stage adds another inch
along the front. |
|
STAGING AREA "B" IN FRONT OF BAR
| This is the larger "mezzanine area"
in front of our refreshment bar (which is not open during
Monday programs.) Note that the drawing is in smaller
scale than the diagram of Area "A".
This playing area (magenta) is carpeted. The principal area
of seating is in front of this area, three steps down, on
the Mezzanine Landing, Children (if any) can sit on the carpet
and adults in chairs behind them.
The performance is surrounded on three sides (blue areas)
when all the seating is full.
If your performance cannot accommodate audiences sitting
on on either side of the (magenta) playing area (a magic show
with sight-line considerations, for example), you will not
be able to use this area. |
 |
Lighting
AREA" A": Simple theatrical stage lighting is available.
Cross-lighting on the front platform may be re-geled or re-focused,
but not removed from its permanent installed positions.
AREA "B": General “white wash” area lighting
is available on the platform and the area in front of it.
You agree to use only installed equipment and not to bring lighting
equipment into the theatre.
Props and Scenery
You will supply all props necessary for the performance. Platforms
and large pieces of scenery which require portage by other than
performers are not allowed. You will ensure that no scenery or properties
are brought into the Gallery except such reasonable effects as might
be carried by performers such as you and your company into an elementary
school or high school for an assembly program. Scenery may not be
placed so as to block fire exits. For safety, insurance and security
purposes, and to meet any Fire Marshall inspection, you agree to
keep fire exits and all other points of Entrance/Exit clear of scenery,
furniture, props and equipment.
Confetti & Glitter
Clean-up of these items is challenging. We recommend (and
your other venues might also appreciate) using confetti no smaller
than 1" squares, or using serpentine streamer confetti.
Paper-punch-size confetti is a mess to deal with. Getting
out a vacuum between shows creates a problem. Hyper-thin mylar
confetti is static-electricity-prone and therefore clingy and especially
hard to clean up. Smaller glitter is very difficult.
Micro-glitter resists even our vacuum. Work with us on this.
Sound Equipment
National can supply two microphones on stands, a body mic, a four-channel
mixer, speakers and an audio cassette player. We have a single-slot
CD players, so if you have music or cues they can be most easily
managed on a single CD. Sound control will be "out front"
in Area "A" and to the side rear in Areas "B"
or "C". You agree not to bring additional sound equipment
other than acoustic instrument amplifiers, or a very basic P.A.
system into the theatre. National program assistants will unlock
the cabinet containing the permanently-installed sound system, and
show your stage manager the sound and lighting controls, but they
cannot execute cues during you show.
Pre-Show Music
If you are not yourself performing music, consider bringing with
you a CD of background music which would be appropriate to get your
audience in the mood for your show. Our MC will play it on
our equipment. Don't forget to reclaim your CD following your
second performance.
Advance Tour of Staging Area
You agree to send a representative to the orientation meeting prior
to the beginning of the series, to meet our staff and check out
the space and available equipment in advance, and select the staging
area you prefer. We understand that for groups already familiar
with the Helen Hayes Gallery, this is not necessary, and that for
groups from outside the Greater Washington Area, or groups which
have performance conflicts at the time of our orientation, this
may not be possible. However, without looking at the space with
us, you take a chance on having last-minute difficulties when you
arrive on the performance evening. We may be able to schedule
a walk-through visit for you at another time, but with some 40 Monday
and Saturday performances annually, that becomes burdensome.
Video Taping
You agree that should you wish to videotape any portion of your
performance, you will use only a self-contained, battery-operated,
portable battery-operated video camera and battery lights, none
of which require plugging into wall electrical receptacles. You
agree not to use the services of a camera crew other than a single
videographer. The use of a support crew, or any more-elaborate video
equipment which is connected to National Theatre electric circuits,
or which involves monitor screens, sound consoles, etc., is a violation
of our union stagehand contract.
Flyers and Posters
You agree not to post flyers or posters anywhere outside the theatre
in the vicinity of the theatre. The District Government levies a
fine of $15 per flyer for any materials taped to utility poles or
other public or private property downtown.
Printed Programs
Although the National does not supply printed programs for each
individual show, you are welcome to bring and distribute your own
programs. If you are duplicating them for this particular performance,
please mention The National Theatre, the Helen Hayes Gallery, and
the date. You are,of course, free to put advertising, or promotional
and contact material for your group of presentation in the program.
Tickets, Contributions, Saving Seats and Selling Souvenirs
These programs are announced as a free outreach series open to
the public on a first-come, first-seated basis, and the contributors
who help make the shows possible would expect that we adhere to
this policy. Therefore, you may not issue tickets or reserve
seats. You may admit with you a maximum of three
individuals other than performers at each performance prior
to the admission of the public. You may sell souvenirs such as music
CD's, tapes, books or T-shirts. The selling of food and drink is
not permitted. Again, since the performances are underwritten, and
advertised as free to the public, we do not allow the collection
of contributions by baskets or by announcements at the performances.
Suitability of Material
You will inform us if we need to place this parental warning in
our promotional material with regard to the appropriateness of your
material: ** Parental guidance suggested for
children under 13 years of age for shows marked with 
We tend to be conservative on this to prevent a situation in which
a parent or guardian feels insufficiently forewarned about the content
of one of our programs.
Arrival/Security
You and your company will arrive at the stage door one hour before
your first scheduled performance. Your group leader will be responsible
to greet, organize and lead your company as a group upstairs to
the Helen Hayes Gallery when all company members have arrived. You
will ensure that none of your company goes into the main auditorium,
or strays away from the Helen Hayes Gallery, except to the lower
lobby, in which case you will ensure that no door is left unlocked
at any time. While our stage door security person will admit you
and show you how to get to the Gallery, security prevents her or
him from leaving the stage door to escort late-arriving performers
to the Gallery.
Departure
The building must be vacated no later than 45 minutes following
your second performance, so that fire and security systems may be
armed and the building secured for the night. You will alert your
company to limit your after-show greeting of guests accordingly.
If your performance runs beyond one hour, you will have little time
to gather your equipment. You may greet audience members following
your performances, but there will not be time to linger in the theatre.
Rehearsal
It is not possible to provide rehearsal time in The Helen Hayes
Gallery. By special arrangement it may be possible to allow an early
arrival on the day of performance, but we cannot guarantee that
option.
Food, Drink and Fire
Eating, drinking and smoking are forbidden in the theatre during
set-up, performance or take-out, except that smoking is permitted
in the outer box-office lobby at street level.
Publicity
As this is a showcase production, you agree to assist us in getting
the word out to your potential audience through phone calls, emails,
postcards, announcement on your website, etc. We depend on your
support to help publicize the show. We will announce your show on
a large poster in our lobby, and we will publish and distribute
flyers with a photo and description of your show, and issue press
releases. We will list your performance with a photo on our website
at:
http://www.nationaltheatre.org/monday/monday.htm
 Any
additional promotion and publicity which you are able to do to help
get the word out to your potential audience and publicize the show
will be appreciated.
Please send immediately one or more good clear promotional
color photographs. We are not able to credit photographers.
Photos with lots of content - faces, props, costumes, scenery -
and a minimum of plain background are the most interesting. We will
use your photo both on our website and also in our printed flyers.
The ideal photo for print and internet clarity is a high-resolution
digitized photo at least 300 d.p.i.
(dots per inch) and 3 to 5 inches
on its longer dimension sent by email to:
dbm@nationaltheatre.org.
If you ask us to retrieve an image from your website, we will get
an image of 72 d.p.i. This is fine for our
website, but it means that your photo on our color billboard
may look blurred and muddy.
Unless you are a solo performer, the photos that work best are
a good group shot with clear performer faces.
A horizontal or "landscape" photo orientation works best
for us since the text block descriptions on our flyers and website
are horizontal.
Rather than vertical (“portrait”) shots.
 See:
http://www.nationaltheatre.org/monday/monday.htm
If you do not have scanned photos, please send hard copies by messenger
or postal mail. The photos should be:
1) Any size up to 8" x 12"
 2)
True photographic prints. Do not send Xeroxes, faxes, computer print-outs,
or other "printed" pictures. Photos in magazines and newspapers
are printed using a method called half-toning. Pictures are printed
as a series of overlapping dots that fool the eyes into seeing a
blended image.
Because the photo has already been reduced to dots, if we re-scan
a photo from printed-on-paper sources we will get a blurry
Moiré pattern copy.
3) Similarly, if you send a laser print rather than a photographic
print, you may be represented on our flyer and lobby billboard by
a blurry image.
4) Please do not send or ask to substitute art, lettering,
or a logo. The inconsistency of such material among photos
is aesthetically undesirable, and raises promotional inequity issues
among the other individuals and groups performing in the series.
5 ) We are unable to use negatives or 35mm slides.
6) Mail to: Donn B. Murphy, PhD. - 2636 Military Road - Arlington,
VA 22207-5118
General Information
If you have any questions, please call The National Theatre Executive
Office between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday,
at 202-783-6854.
The following instructions condense some essential contract material
and other day-of-performance information for your company. Please
copy them to all members of your group as necessary, and make sure
everyone reads
and understands them.
National Theatre - Special Performance Instructions
Strict building security, insurance requirements, and union regulations
prompt all these guidelines. Please be cooperative
Parking
Parking is not easy to find on downtown streets in the immediate
area of the National Theatre, and we strongly recommend that you
plan to park in a garage. Parking Garages are located near the theatre,
on 13th Street, 11th Street and on E Street. Illegally parked or
unattended vehicles are often promptly ticketed. The National Theatre
cannot legally assume responsibility for any ticket you may get,
and cannot "fix" tickets.
The "No Parking, Tow Away Zone" regulations for street
parking from the corner of 13th Street to the theatre marquee is
in effect Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You will
be ticketed for illegal parking.
Metered parking is available on 13th and 14th Streets. If you choose
metered parking, be prepared with plenty of quarters during those
hours. If you are a Saturday Morning performer, meters go into effect
at 9:30 a.m. If you are a Monday Night performer, meters are in
effect up until 7:00 p.m. Tickets have been issued as late as 6:45
p.m.
Please be sure to read all signs.
Loading and Loading Equipment
Loading can be a challenge. The driver should stay with the vehicle,
and move it to legal parking immediately after unloading. Don't
leave your vehicle unattended.
Arrival Time at the National
* Please do not arrive at the National before 5:00 p.m. nor later.
Enter through the STAGE DOOR which is located to the right of the
lobby doors at the front of the theatre.
* Members of the company will gather at the Stage Door. One member
will be designated to wait, identify and check-in any latecomers.
* Please go immediately to the Helen Hayes Gallery on the second
floor and report to National Theatre staff there.
Building Security
No performer or other personnel are allowed in the main auditorium,
backstage, or in any areas other than the Helen Hayes Gallery and
the lower lobbies, for any reason. Violation of this rule could
result in a costly infraction of union contracts. Do not bring valuables
to the theatre, and keep your clothing and belongings together so
you don't lost anything.
Refreshments
Smoking, eating or drinking (except water) are strictly prohibited
in the Helen Hayes Gallery and throughout the building during outreach
shows, except in the street-level outer lobby. Smoking as
part of a performance is permitted. Having seen actors like
Lily Tomlin and Ian McKellan perform full-length one-person shows
on our mainstage without resorting to drink, we are not convinced
that performers need to stash onstage or carry around bottled water
during the performance. We suggest that you get a good long
drink from one of our refrigerated drinking fountains before you
go backstage, and persevere, without distracting from the tempo
of your show by stopping to drink (while your audience is unable
to join you).
Video Taping
Only self-contained, battery-operated hand-held cameras are allowed.
Plugging lights or other video equipment into wall sockets is prohibited.
Departure
We must vacate the theatre completely by 45 minutes following our
second performance, so do not linger too long with after-show guests.
Please pack up and move out your equipment promptly, and help put
the Helen Hayes Gallery back in order. Check your belongings and
leave nothing behind but happy memories of your great performance
with us.
THANK YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR APPEARANCE WITH
US!
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