Venues · Sound and setup
Amaturo Theater: rigging, stage labor and AV setup
At Amaturo Theater, moving a drape or refocusing a light also changes the load-out work. Build the AV proposal around the theater plan and a schedule that includes restoring its systems.
Which venue and which teams are involved
This guide covers Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center, 201 Southwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, in the City of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County. Its conditions do not extend to Au-Rene, other rooms or affiliated venues.
The Performing Arts Center Authority governs the Broward Center. Rentals handles booking; the Production team is the contact for technical coordination and stage labor terms. Property title has not been verified here.
The rental page advertises 584 seats. The manual gives a maximum of 582, but its itemized seating counts do not match that total either. Request a current seating plan for the booked configuration, including control positions, sightlines, circulation and accessibility. Do not set ticket inventory using the higher figure.
References and documented scope: Amaturo Theater — Technical Specifications, September 2026 · Amaturo Theater — Venue rental · Broward Center — Performing Arts Center Authority ·
Counterweights, drapes and labor calls
The manual states that the Broward Center employs IATSE Local 500 members for all Amaturo productions. Agree on who installs, connects, operates and removes each system. This does not by itself establish exclusive equipment rental or authorize an outside vendor to operate stage machinery.
The published labor rules, with no visible date, set a daily minimum of 4 hours; a break exceeding 3 hours can trigger another 4-hour minimum. They also address premiums after 8 hours for the same presenter and between midnight and 8 a.m., along with meals, holidays and other terms. Request current rules and rates with the quote; these are neither dollar prices nor general rules for other theaters.
| Topic | Documented condition | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Manual system | 73 single-purchase counterweight line sets, operated from the stage-right deck. | Identify available line sets and their current use. They are not unassigned motor points. |
| Published limit | 750 lb per arbor above pipe weight, as stated in the manual. | Submit loads and distribution for venue review. Do not treat this as a screen’s allowable point load or add capacities to approve a system. |
| Drapes and reset | The house curtain is permanent. Moving the midstage blackout at LS 28 or traveler at LS 61 requires an additional crew call and reset work. | Include removal, agreed storage and restoration in the schedule and budget. |
The stage floor, pit cover and a ground-supported structure need a separate review from the counterweight system. The sources consulted do not establish an allowable load here for wheels, ballast or LED support feet. Submit weights, contact areas and the equipment route before settling on a design.
References and documented scope: Amaturo Theater — Technical Specifications, September 2026 · Amaturo Theater — Stagehand Labor Work Rules (undated) ·
Power, lighting and sound
The specifications describe venue equipment, not GLMedia inventory or a reservation for your date. Confirm which items are assigned to Amaturo when other spaces are also in use.
| System | Manual reference | Decision to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 2 three-phase 100 A services, one downstage on each side; 1 three-phase 400 A service upstage right with a connection toward the truck area. | Confirm voltage, connectors, distribution, protection, availability and authorized personnel. Do not add amperages as though they were one supply. |
| Lighting | The repertory plot is focused and gelled. Refocusing must be restored during load-out. | Provide a change plot, reset time and a joint check. Fixtures already hanging are not necessarily spare equipment. |
| Monitors and shared equipment | The specifications list 5 mixes feeding 6 monitors; more mixes require a separate monitor console and operator. Some equipment is shared with other rooms. | Agree on inputs, mixes, console, crew and reservations. Do not assume every listed item is available. |
References and documented scope: Amaturo Theater — Technical Specifications, September 2026 ·
Truck access and equipment clearance
The public address is not the loading entrance. The manual requires trucks to enter from the north, off Himmarshee Street; it gives 582 SW 2nd Street as the GPS reference for that gate, not a mailing address. Coordinate the route and arrival time with Production.
| Access | Published reference | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Loading dock | 2 loading bays; dock height of 3 ft. | Confirm vehicle compatibility, unloading method and arrival sequence. |
| Receiving door | 8 ft wide by 8 ft high. | Check the packed load and handling equipment; nominal dimensions do not establish turning clearance. |
| Long vehicles | Tractor-trailers longer than 40 ft require advance notice to reserve maneuvering space. | Declare total length and parking duration. The staging area also holds theater equipment. |
The rear staff entrance has a visitor check-in. The presenting entity prepares and manages its credentials, with samples supplied to Production and Security in advance. Agree on exceptions and performer access; an audience ticket is not a backstage work credential.
References and documented scope: Amaturo Theater — Technical Specifications, September 2026 ·
Effects, permits and safety still to resolve
The cited sources do not provide specific approval for haze, smoke, lasers, pyrotechnics or cold sparks in this setup. Declare them in the proposal and request venue acceptance and identification of any required authority review. Do not disable detection or treat silence in the manual as permission.
Room booking, theater technical approval, organizer requirements and any public permit are separate decisions. This guide does not confirm which municipal process applies to an individual project. Review the need for City of Fort Lauderdale involvement with the venue based on the activity, structures and effects.
As technical preparation, keep exits and accessible routes clear and show cabling, structures, control and storage on the plan. Noise, hours, insurance, training, inspections and occupancy limits must be settled in the event terms; no unpublished values are assigned here.
References and documented scope: Amaturo Theater — Technical Specifications, September 2026 ·
What to send before finalizing the proposal
Gather a versioned plan, equipment and weights, supports or suspension, electrical needs, audio inputs and mixes, lighting changes, effects, trucks and schedule. Separate venue, GLMedia, organizer and other vendor responsibilities.
Request a response covering equipment and crew allocation, access conditions, labor pricing including reset, and configuration approval. If a load, position, effect or time changes, submit the revision and obtain the relevant confirmation before proceeding. This is a coordination recommendation, not a verified internal theater procedure.
GLMedia can provide equipment-only rental or prepare, install, operate and remove the agreed systems, subject to the contracted scope and venue conditions. This guide does not establish past GLMedia work at Amaturo or approved-vendor status.
Planning worksheet: not a booking, permit, structural calculation or venue approval.
References and documented scope: Amaturo Theater — Technical Specifications, September 2026 · Amaturo Theater — Venue rental · Amaturo Theater — Stagehand Labor Work Rules (undated) ·
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly an LED screen from any batten?
No. This is a manual system and the line sets have existing uses. Submit positions, weights and load distribution to Production; the published arbor limit does not approve a point load or a combination of line sets.
Does equipment rental include theater crew?
Do not assume it does. Confirm the rental scope and venue labor in writing, including minimum calls, breaks, premiums and reset. The specifications state that IATSE Local 500 members work on all productions.
Which capacity should I use for ticket sales?
Request the current approved seating plan for your configuration. The rental page and manual disagree; production positions and accessibility requirements must be resolved before setting ticket inventory.
Is equipment listed in the specifications reserved for my event?
No. Some equipment is shared across spaces and needs advance coordination. Confirm allocation, operators and any required supplements in writing.
Official documentation
Sources checked October 17, 2026. Checking these sources does not confirm availability or setup approval. General standards do not replace the terms for the booked space.