Russell Auditorium Guidelines

A campus landmark, Russell Auditorium features Greek Revival architecture and an elegant dcor which serves the university and community well.  The auditorium, built in 1928 and renovated in 1996, is fully air-conditioned and handicapped accessible.  The auditorium seats up to 980 including the balcony, has a 1,000 square foot stage, an orchestra pit, computerized lighting system, and two large dressing rooms with lighted mirrors and a shower.

Russell Auditorium is a high demand facility which is reserved for events at least 50 weeks out of each year.  Each December, the Department of Public Services calls a meeting of all regular users of the auditorium, and others who have requested to use the building, to discuss their needs for the next year and a half, and to negotiate times for using the facility.  Once campus use of Russell Auditorium has been determined, all of the events are entered into the university's computerized event management system, R-25.  A few dates usually remain available for other campus and community events.  To reserve the facility, submit a facility request online at: http://r25c.gcsu.edu.

Not only is Russell Auditorium a high demand facility, but it is also a highly complex facility with sophisticated lighting and sound systems and stringent fire safety and ADA/504 requirements.  Failure to follow the guidelines on the following pages could result in serious injury or death to facility users and audience members.  In addition to the potential for injury, operation of the theatre's sophisticated lighting and sound equipment by untrained event organizers could result in damage to expensive equipment.  For these reasons, all users of Russell Auditorium must utilize the services of Student Technical Specialists and Student House Managers trained by Theatre faculty and made available through the Department of Public Services.  (Waivers of the Student House Manager requirement may be requested when event organizers can provide trained theatre professionals or university employees who will be on site and in charge before, during, and after performances.  However, even in such cases, all fire safety and ADA/504 rules still must be adhered to.)  Contact the Department of Public Services to obtain the services of Student Technical Specialists and Student House Managers(pdf). 

Sound and A/V in Russell Auditorium must be provided by an approved A/V professional.  Generally, Theatre is responsible for providing its own sound, and A/V for all other events is provided by Media Production Resources.  A/V equipment and services can be obtained by contacting AV@gcsu.edu or by phone at (478) 445-0532.  Event organizers should contact A/V to discuss specific A/V needs after the facility has been approved, but no later than five business days before the event.  The hourly rate for evening and weekend hours is $25 per technician.  The technician fee includes up to 30 minutes of equipment set-up and 30 minutes of take-down per event. 

Russell Auditorium is cleaned by campus custodians daily Monday through Friday.  However, weekend custodial support is not provided as a matter of course.  Productions that extend over a weekend may wish to contact the Custodial Manager at (478) 445-1533 to arrange to have the auditorium cleaned between performances.  Those weekend events that utilize Lanier Hall as an assembly or holding area for cast members will be required to contract with Plant Operations to have Lanier cleaned prior to 7 a.m. on Monday morning.  Custodial support should be arranged at least five business days in advance.  The cost for such support is $18 per hour for each custodian, with a minimum of three hours.

Lanier Hall, which is attached to Russell Auditorium, is a busy office building that is occupied from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  To avoid disturbing employees or students, events that use Lanier Hall as an assembly or holding area for cast members should not allow cast members into Lanier prior to 5 p.m. on weekdays.  Lanier furniture should not be moved.  In addition, the halls, dressing rooms, and other spaces should be straightened up and all debris, props, costumes, makeup, and trash removed at the conclusion of each production.

Organizers of external (non-GCSU sponsored) events will be required to show proof of $1,000,000 of liability insurance and $500,000 damage to property insurance in order to rent the facility.  Proof of insurance must be verified prior to confirmation of space. 

In case of accidents, injuries, deaths, thefts, or other emergencies, or if there are after-hours or weekend maintenance issues, contact Public Safety at (478) 445-4400.

The Director of Public Services serves as Building Manager for Russell Auditorium.  If there are maintenance issues, scheduling conflicts, or other concerns or issues related to the building, please contact the director at (478) 445-6542.

Occasionally, a campus office may identify a need to modify Russell Auditorium's equipment or structure in some way.  In such cases, that office should contact the Director of Public Services who will then facilitate a meeting or communication between all parties with some responsibility for the auditorium including the Department of Music & Theatre, Plant Operations, A/V, Public Services, and Environmental Health & Occupational Safety.

Russell Auditorium: Fire Safety/ADA/504 Requirements

Exceptions to Fire Safety/ADA/504 requirements must be approved by the GCSU Coordinator of Environmental Health & Occupational Safety (EHOS) and by the Technical Director for Theatre.  EHOS can be contacted at (478) 445-0801 and the Technical Director for Theatre at (478) 445-1241.

Stage Area

      The stage must be clear of all trash, debris, furniture, equipment, and set pieces not being used in the current production.

      No candles or pyrotechnics are allowed on stage unless otherwise approved by the Environmental Health and Occupational Safety Office and the Technical Director for Theatre.

      Stage lighting and electrical work must be supervised by a theatre professional or an approved theatre student.

      When audience seating is built on the Russell stage, disabled persons must be accommodated.

      All tape must be pulled up off the stage floor before painting.

      If painted for a production, the stage floor must be returned to flat black when finished.

      All personal property should be removed from Russell Auditorium and Lanier Hall after the conclusion of productions.

Russell Auditorium Equipment

      Russell Auditorium lighting must be operated by an approved theatre professional.  The services of trained Student Technical Specialists can be obtained through the Department of Public Services at (478) 445-2749 or by e-mail at lisa.castillo@gcsu.edu.

      Sound must be operated by an approved A/V professional.  Generally Theatre is responsible for providing its own sound, and sound for all other events is provided by Media Production Resources.  Sound, A/V equipment, and services can be obtained by contacting AV@gcsu.edu or by phone at (478) 445-0532.

Dressing Rooms (Located in Lanier Hall)

      All costumes, makeup, and other personal items and equipment must be removed from the dressing rooms.  Hair dryers, curling irons, irons, and other equipment must be unplugged except while in use.

      The dressing rooms must be kept clean during performances and returned to a clean condition at the conclusion of performances.

      It should be understood that the dressing rooms are also used as Theatre classrooms, so they are not safe places to leave personal items.

Auditorium Seating Area

      The organ, piano, speakers, and other equipment must be kept out of the aisles on the front and sides of the auditorium when the auditorium is occupied by patrons.

      No audio/visual cables or extension cords are allowed on the floor of the auditorium while occupied by patrons.

      No A/V equipment will be allowed in the handicapped seating area at the rear of the auditorium.

      All aisles and doorways must remain clear at all times.  These areas must not be blocked in any manner.

      The swinging doors at the front of the house must be opened inward prior to performances, and outward at the end of performances.

      No folding chairs or tables are allowed in aisles or doorways.

      No candles or "Christmas tree" type lights are allowed without the prior knowledge of the Music & Theatre Department, and only then with proper safety and fire restraining procedures in place.

      Hanging wall decorations should not obstruct aisles or doorways.

      The organ must be kept against the wall, and the aisles must have at least 34 inches of free space.