The Mezz Technical Specifications

Aug. 19, 2025

Rules:

Fire Regulations:  Exit signs must be illuminated and visible to the general public at all times.  Fire pull stations must be unobstructed and visible or their location clearly indicated via signage and accessible to all staff members and the public at all times.

Indigenous Use of Traditional Medicines Policy 7.14 & Open Flames and Open Air Burning on Campus  Policy 7.12 will apply to any requests for open flames in the theatre and must be arranged two weeks in advance

Any fabric, drapery, or textiles used onstage must meet Ontario’s Fire Code Regulations & Fire Protection and Prevention Act Subsection 2.3.2.1. Flame resistance of textiles.  This means that these items must have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. If the client cannot producer a certificate of flame retardant, then the Theatre personnel will test a portion of the item to ensure that the material will pass the match flame test as stated in NFPA 705.

Licenses:  The theatre uses Entandem Licensing to have a SOCAN & RE:Sound licenses for all preshow and post-show music in the theatre and lobby areas

Personnel: Crew is made up of qualified students and a House Crew of IATSE technicians.

You are required to have one (1) technician present whenever you are working in the space.  If you require further technical support the Theatre will engage addition technicians on your behalf or, with the approval of the Director of Production, you may be permitted to supplement by providing your own technicians, to run video, act as ASMs backstage, etc.

For performances, you are required to have 1 Front of House Manager and a minimum of ushers. 

• The Front of House Manager must be present 1 hour 15 minutes prior to curtain until 30 minutes following the show. 
• The ushers present 45 minutes prior to curtain until 30 minutes following the show. 

Safety requirements:  Steel-toed shoes must be worn by all persons present in the theatre during load-in / set-up / technical work calls. 

Please note that only the staff of the theatre may work at heights. 

Scheduling notes: Labour charges billed will be based on actual time worked by staff.

Each call shall be a minimum of

• four (4) hours for IATSE technicians and the FOH Manager
• three (3) hours for student technicians and all other Front of House staff
• Staff are entitled to a paid fifteen (15) minute coffee break after two (2) hours worked
• Staff will receive a sixty (60) minute meal break after five (5) hours work.  If you infringe upon the meal break a meal penalty will be applied at double the current rate
• After 8 hrs of work personnel are billed out at one and one-half (1-1/2) times the contracted rate
• For work after midnight, staff will be paid for transportation home by taxi and the renter will be billed accordingly.

Ticketing:  Events can either be general admission or reserved seating. Ticketing may be handled by the WLU Box Office or by the presenter if they supply their own Box Office Staff

Space

Dressing Rooms: Two dressing rooms are available close to the lobby (M1044 & M1046). The dressing rooms are located down the hall.

• M1046 (small) has a capacity for 4 people
• M1044 (large) has a capacity for 15 people
• Both have sinks, toilets, mirrors, make-up lights, clothing racks & running water, M1046 has a shower.
• Dressing rooms a re divided by a sliding door and may be combined into one space
• Classrooms may be available for extra dressing rooms and must be arranged four weeks in advance

Loading Doors:  There are loading doors along the rear of the building, at floor level.

Parking:  There is no parking available in the loading dock. For the purpose of load-in and delivery, provisions are allowed for a vehicle near the loading access for a limit of 30 minutes.  Should you require more time, a parking permit must be acquired from Parking Services prior to loading.

Seating Capacity: Total capacity = 320, 100max suggested for sit down dinners, 40-60 suggested max for performances

There are wheelchair accessible seats available with companion chairs.

If you need seats reserved in the audience for performers, please consult with the Director of Production at least two weeks out

Set Installation:

• Nothing may be fixed to the stage floor. Please confirm the appropriate methods for affixing scenery with the Technical Director.
• No scenery shall be attached/fastened to the building walls.

Stage Dimensions:  Recital stage made of finished hardwood. 

• 19’1” deep x 33’6” wide (See floor plan for specifications)

Lighting

Control:  

• ETC ION - 1024 channels (uses USB for memory) in booth Ipad for cue changes
• 2 x 10” touch screen monitors

Dimming:

• None - All LED
• 4x Colour Source Pars for backlights
• 4x Chauvet Pro Maverick Force S Spots

Please consult with Technical Director for lighting questions

House lights: House lights can be controlled on a separately controlled wall panel

Booth Location: Centre back of the space. Entrance through lobby.

Various:                                    
1 x Radiance hazer
1 x Fog Machine

Audio

Operation:  Flexible depending on needs, usually stage right

Multitrack Recording: Available upon request, may require extra crew, must be arranged 4 weeks in advance

Control and Processing:  Allen and Heath SQ6 or A&H ZED-16FX analog console

Speakers:  

There are 2 EV speakers above the stage area

There are several zones of speakers in the lobby space

Additional QSC K8.2 powered speakers can be made available upon request and subject to availability

Playback Devices:  

• Macbook Pro with QLab, Spotify

Communication:  

4 x wireless headsets with belt packs

Additional wired Com stations may be available upon request.

Please note that there is no paging system available but there is program sound & CCTV to dressing rooms.

Mics & stands:                                 

All microphones & stands subject to availability, please consult with Technical Director for full inventory

Extras:                                                 

• Yamaha Baby Grand Piano
• Percussion and Backline by request, extra charges may apply

Video

Projectors:  

• 2x 43” 4K UHD TV’s on rolling stands for use for Ted Talk style presentations

Cables: Various Lengths of HDMI, Coax, BNC, Cat5e (please confirm availability with technical coordinator) 

Other Equipment: (available upon request):

• Canon Camera & Tripod available for recordings

*** Please note that you must supply your own computer for PowerPoint presentations or video content that is not provided to the technical coordinator at least one week in advance of your event. We may be able to accommodate last minute content provided on a USB on a case by case basis.  If you bring an Apple computer please bring the required adapter for HDMI.

Drapes and Equipment

Misc.

• Concert Furniture including chairs, music stands, conductor stools, podium
• 4 x black wooden stools
• 8 x black acting cubes
• 4X8 & 3X8 Wenger risers
• Round tables and chairs, cocktail tables available, 4 weeks notice needed, extra charges may apply

Amenities

Wardrobe: There is a washer and dryer in the TA  dressing room that you are welcome to use. High-efficiency soap only.

There is an iron and ironing board along with an industrial steamer.

Front of House

Lobby: There is a large lobby attached to the theatre. The lobby includes: 

• Small performance area, for talk backs and live preshow music
• Various Black tables and seating
• Bar area for concessions
• Box Office and coat check services available

Nothing is to be hung on the walls using tape or pins. Painters Tape or Magnets are the only approved method of attaching pictures or signage to the walls.

First Aid: The Front of House Manager is trained in first aid as are the technicians. There is a first aid kit in the Front of House Manager’s office in case of emergency.

The theatre is also equipped with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). The Front of House Manager is trained in its usage.

Food & Drink: You are welcome to sell prepackaged refreshments in the lobby at intermission, though only plastic bottled water will be allowed back inside the theatre. All other refreshments must be consumed prior to re-entering the theatre.

If you wish to serve alcoholic beverages it is your responsibility to inquire at least 4 weeks prior to the event. 

For a wide variety of refreshments and meals please refer to the campus catering.

It is the responsibility of the client to provide the cash float and the people to work the refreshment tables. The Theatre can provide these people at an additional cost but this must be arranged at least 4 weeks in advance of the event.

Merchandise: You are welcome to sell merchandise in the lobby during your event.  It is the responsibility of the client to provide the cash float and the people to work the merchandise tables. The Theatre can provide these people at an additional cost but this must be arranged at least 4 weeks in advance of the event.