Advice for Planning an Outdoor Theatre Event

Advice for Planning an Outdoor Theatre Event

Summer is around the corner!

Why not take advantage of the outdoors by planning an outdoor event!

A popular activity for the outdoors we see often is theater or performing arts productions.

Whatever you are planning, pay attention to some of the details we cover below to make sure everything is ready for the event date.

Obtain the proper permits

As you know there is a permit for everything, and now that you are planning an outdoor venue, you are in an entirely different ball game.

Event planners who are coordinating outdoor events must first get the proper permits and paperwork before they can move forward with planning the event.

New permits that come with planning outdoors: (of course it depends on your location/state)

• One Time Outdoor Entertainment Permit 
• Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit 
• Outdoor tent or structure permit 
• Food Truck Permit
• Special Use Permit
  
  

Well in advance of the projected event date, make sure you double check that all the permit and document submissions are handed in and approved.

Don’t delegate this to someone else without confirming that everything is in order personally to prevent delays and problems.

Permits may take longer for busy parks or common grounds, so be sure to call and find out how long to allow for permission and permits to be granted. 

Fence off the area and double up on security

If you‘ve planned events before, admissions is a lot easier to control for indoor events verses outdoors.

That is why we recommend hiring double or triple that amount of security you would have at an event indoors to help manage parking, crowd control, multiple admission gates, exits etc. 

It is important to fence off the area where the theatre event is to be held to prevent people from entering without paying or engaging in unwanted activities nearby.

You should have the main entrance and exit points marked while everything else is fenced in and inclosed. 

There are companies that rent fencing out for these types of occasions, but make sure to make you plan well in advance to secure the fencing you need. 

Address all seating arrangements

Like most events, you will probably need to figure out what the seating arrangements will be.

Depending on the venue, they may already have bleachers in place to make life easier, open grass areas, or a set-up crew on site.

In those cases, you may only need to rent a minimal amount of chairs to be available for people with disabilities, the elderly, and small children needing equipment such as strollers. 

Seating can be pre-planned  by letting the public know to provide their own seats or towels to sit on in advance depending on the type of performance and other factors.

If the outdoor theatre production is similar to a movie viewing,  you can even allow people to sit in their cars and watch like a drive-in. 

Plan for additional entertainment and vendors

In addition to the main event, you should also consider adding musical acts, comedy, or special guest speakers to keep people engaged in between acts or during intermission.

Most people enjoy outdoor vendors because they can walk around and aren't confined to specific areas. 

Consider having vendors attend and allow the guests to browse their selection of food, clothing, and other merchandise throughout breaks. 

Additional ideas to host at your event: 

• Food Trucks
• Large Games
• Merchandise Stands
• Face Painting
• Kid Play Areas

Carefully consider all outdoor equipment needed

Like I said, outdoor venues require a little more work depending on the venue which leads to different types of equipment that is needed. Some of the most common equipment includes a PA system, lighting, and registration gear. 

Other equipment to consider: 

• Power/extension cords
• Back-up generators or a power source
• Ample lighting
• Wireless connectivity/ WIFI / cloud-based services
• All-weather equipment 
• On-site storage

Plan to have all of this equipment in place and have it tested several times to make sure everything is in working order in the days before and the day of the event.

Onsite weather and storage is crucial to protect against inclement weather in the area.

Designating a technical crew and a place of storage will ensure a smoother event.

Pay special attention to the way that the equipment is stored before the event. Ensure everything is covered and protected, clean, stored properly and undamaged in advance to prevent any problems the day of. 

Event planners know that hosting events, especially those held outdoors such as a theatre presentation must be coordinated and organized with attention to detail. Use this helpful advice to make the process go smoothly and prevent issues.