Theatre Design & Technology - Summer 1989 - 23

PHANTASTIC
STAGINGBY..

.the ·tCQrld'
"-n people see a $Mtc, .
the)' expect UJ see the earth move,
the s/..)· fUll., the u'(lJers part, ..

or at least thE floor relio/ve!
The Phanlom oilhE Opem,
us Jfisembles and Cats are
some of the mega.hits tlwt caused
a revowtWn in the thEatre.
And Hudson Scenic Studios. Inc..
laUl the groundlfOrk for the'm all.

/J5 bruckller boulel'Ord
brolLr, 11.1: /0./5./
JI2·.~85·670./

To develop and enforce an adequate risk management
policy; it is clear we also must:
Digest sometimes incomprehensible factual data
and carefully understand and explain all details in
language that can be readily understood;
. Seek input from all parties at all levels, and establish
a forum to discuss and even disagree on the facts, the
hazards, and the alternatives;
Concentrate on the entire communication cycle,
ensuring that all information is effectively disseminated and that feedback reaches the appropriate
levels;
Realize that our individual risk management problems are shared by other facilities and practitioners,
and that we must both seek out and share information and solutions with each other;
. Remember that, while our teclmology may be ever
ne"v, some of our risks have been with us from the
beginning. (One of my best rules of risk management is a phrase my father incul.::ated into
me: "Read the minutes of the last meeting." Look
back.1
Unfortunately; many risk assessments appear to be disputable because the individuals conducting them are at a
distance - they are not practicing entertai1U11ent professionals or else they have little e},.rperience in the entertainment field. Other assessments are clouded by data that is
tOo selective and tOo superficially gathered, and poor communication often prevents the necessary information

from reaching the technicians on the frOnt line. Also, risk
management matrices are not failsafe systems. Judgments
can be flawed, and even the most advanced theories of risk
management can prove incorrect.
The answers and solutions are dlificult to come by; but
we must continue to face these realities task by task.
Erroneous judgments must be ferreted out and directly
replaced with new information and new assessments. We
cannot cave in to the "quick fix" so universally practiced
in our industry. Often this process will involve head-on
confrontations with people and traditions at all levels of
the industry.
Risk management is a painful process. There will be
both heat and light in our interfacing, but unless the entertainment industry applies risk management concepts to
itself, we will continue to engage in unsafe practices and
produce flawed training for our students. a one could
have said it better or more simply than cartoonist Walt
Kelly through his Everyman, Pogo: "We have met the
enemy; and he is us." *

Randall W. A. Davidson, known as "Dr. Doom" in the
entertainment industry, is the USITT commissioner of
Health and Safety He lectures and conducts workshops
throughout North America on health, safet)~ security, environmentalliabilit}~ and product safety This article was
adapted from his Fellows Address at the 1987 USITT
Conference in Oakland, CA. A long-time member of the
Institute, Davidson was recently selected to receive the
1989 USITT Founder's Award.
TD&T

SUMMER '9B9

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Summer 1989