Water Effects

Last updated: November 18, 2024

PRIOR to the water effect being used by the performers and stage managers, the following steps should be taken:

  1. An advisory statement should be included in the casting notice for auditions if there is the possibility of the use of water effects in the upcoming production.

  2. The performers and stage managers hired should be notified that there will be water effects in the production prior to their first day of employment.

    • This notification provides an opportunity for the performers and stage managers to begin a dialogue with the production and the Equity field representative on what to expect, ask any initial questions, and/or inform them of any concerns. To find your field representative, go to https://members.actorsequity.org/find-your-rep

    • Performers that will be directed to swim as part of their staging should be able to swim (e.g., passed a swimmer’s test, the employer should engage a qualified person to evaluate the performer’s swimming abilities, etc.).

  3. A qualified individual(s) (e.g., safety supervisor, etc.) should be engaged by the employer and should conduct a production assessment, an orientation and an inspection.

    • A production assessment should be conducted for all areas and the work planned between the performers, stage managers and the water effects. A written plan should be developed to reduce and/or eliminate the risks for the performers and stage managers.

    • An orientation should be given to the performers and stage managers explaining the results of the production assessment. It should include demonstrations and/or instructions and copies of the plan that is in place. This plan should include, but is not limited to, the type of water effects, introduction of the personnel in charge of the water effects, depth of the body of water, staging in the water (e.g., swimming, staged drowning, etc.), safety measures (e.g., maintaining/upkeeping the water’s cleanliness, methods to dry off quickly, slip resistant footwear, first aid, etc.) and hazard awareness (e.g., slipperiness in and around the water, exposure to electricity in and/or around water, microphones and their transmitters placed on the performers in or around water, etc.).

    • An inspection by the local authority having jurisdiction (e.g., fire department, parks department, emergency services, etc.) should take place.

    • An individual(s) with appropriate first-aid training, including training for drowning victims, should be on-site during scenes involving water effects. The individual(s) that will be onsite in case a health emergency arises should be announced to the performers prior to each performance.

WHILE the water effect is being used by the performers and stage managers, the following steps should be taken:

  1. A qualified individual(s) (e.g., training and prior work experience performing with water effects, etc.) should provide appropriate and adequate training and rehearsal with the water effects to ensure the safety of the performers and stage managers.

    • This training and rehearsal should include, but is not limited to, discussing what the effect(s) is simulating, (e.g., rain, puddles, flooding, lake, pool, etc.), how the effects work, when in the production they will take place, number of cues, each cue length, and the activity of each performer and stage manager onstage and backstage. If, for any reason, it is not possible to hold such training and rehearsals, the Equity field representative should be notified immediately.

  2. Contingency plans should be in place and rehearsed in case the water effect(s) cannot be used for any reason (e.g., technical issues, temperature concerns, performer discomfort, etc.).

  3. If any conditions change the established practices and/or use of water effect(s) in the production, stage managers, performers, and qualified individuals should be notified immediately. At that time, the written plan for the water effects should be updated and the new version provided to the performers and stage managers.

  4. The above orientation, training, rehearsal, and documentation should be provided to all swings, understudies, replacement stage managers, and performers prior to their first use of the water effect.

  5. Performers and stage managers experiencing any adverse effects from the use of water during the run of the production should notify the Equity field representative immediately. Possible adverse effects include rashes and sensitivity to mold and mildew. Also, performers and stage managers should also report discomfort, pain or injury to the employer immediately. The employer should document these in the weekly injury report that is sent to Equity.

Water Effect Maintenance:

  1. The water should always be clean. It should be filtered, drained, cleaned, and refilled with fresh, clean water on a regular basis to ensure that it is free of all contaminants before the performers and stage managers use the water. Performers could still experience adverse effects (e.g., rashes, etc.) and adjustments should be made immediately. Recycled water being used longer than it should causes adverse effects.

  2. The pH levels of the water should meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations: Home Pool and Hot Tub Water Treatment and Testing | Healthy Swimming | CDC

  3. Any chemicals used to keep the water clean should have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) posted backstage on the performer's callboard and in the stage manager's office.

  4. The water temperature should be no less than 99 degrees and the air temperature in the space should be between 72 and 76 degrees. It is recommended to use a commercial heater (not a residential heater) to maintain the water temperature onstage. If the staging calls for water to be splashed directly onto the performer(s), then discussions prior to the first use should take place between the performers, stage managers, and the qualified individual(s) regarding appropriate water temperature.

  5. Immediately following rehearsing or performing with water, performers and stage managers should be provided with easily accessible and appropriate materials to dry off (e.g., towels, robes and/or dry clothing). This will ensure that performers and stage managers do not spend an extended period wet. Hair dryers should be provided when necessary.

  6. If there are entryways in the space that have direct access to the outdoors (e.g., stage door, loading door, etc.), special consideration should be given to keeping these entryways closed when the water is in use to maintain room and water temperatures.

  7. Drainage should be added onstage/backstage to remove the water effects after use.

  8. Materials used in and around water effect(s) should be mold and mildew resistant. All seams should be properly sealed to avoid moisture getting where mold and mildew could form. Consultation with roofing contractors can achieve this. Regular checks should be made to see if mold and/or mildew has formed. The use of mold tests may be a good indicator. If mold and/or mildew has formed, appropriate cleaning should take place immediately. To confirm the mold and/or mildew are not at toxic levels, mold testing should take place after the cleaning.

  9. For each performer that will be staged and/or stage manager working in areas that will potentially get wet, everything should be waterproofed. This includes all costumes (where applicable), prop pieces, and anything else the performer and/or stage manager is wearing, handling, or in proximity of. Soft goods (e.g., curtains, borders, tabs, scrims, etc.) should be routinely waterproofed. It is encouraged to waterproof items outside of the wet zone for an extra level of safe and sanitary.

  10. Cameras and monitors should be used to provide a complete view of the water effects for backstage personnel.

  11. When cuing a water effect, there should be a separate cue for each water effect that will take place and a specific identification (e.g., "water", etc.) for the name of the cue.

  12. Where applicable, emergency stops should be in place and located where they can be easily accessed.

  13. At least one first aid kit should be easily accessible backstage and always fully stocked.

  14. The above are recommended guidelines. Consult all applicable rules and regulations.

  15. Additional recommended guidelines can be found at the following organizations: