TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Technical Information for Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center

The 2026 OCTA State Conference will be held at Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, in Lima OH, on September 4-6, 2026.

Veterans Memorial is located in the heart of Lima at 7 Towne Square, Lima OH 45801. The facility includes a 13,950 square foot exhibit hall, 10 meeting rooms, 1,774 seat performing arts center, and banquet facility.

If you missed the virtual "walk the stage" via Zoom link of Veterans Memorial, not to worry! We have the recording of the meeting here for you to watch!

Download a PDF of this webpage

Please find below a map showing the location of the loading dock at Veterans Memorial:

STATE CONFERENCE TECHNICAL INFORMATION

1. STAGE DIMENSIONS:

The acting area at the will measure 16’ deep by 24’ wide. If larger stage areas are available at the Regional Festivals, it is recommended that they be masked to conform to State Festival dimensions. However, only the 16' by 24' space will be lit with OCTA provided lighting. Any action, set, or props taking place outside that area will not be lit, but are not disqualified. A minimum of five (5) masked entrances are needed: upstage center, upstage right, upstage left, downstage right, and downstage left. For State Conference 2026, the 16 x 24 foot block will be taped approximately 5 to 5.5 feet back from the front of the stage, providing an apron space.

2. LIGHTING:

Six (6) areas – downstage right, downstage center, downstage left, upstage right, upstage center, and upstage left – providing general wash of stage using electronic dimmers. For the 2026 state conference only, there is an option for full zone coverage in four colors: blue, green, red, and yellow, in addition to the standard warm white. Note that the color options (blue, green, red, and yellow) are only available as a full wash and not individual zones. Individual zone coverage will remain as the standard warm white. If the host theater has a follow-spot, it may offer its use to all theaters excerpting. Four (4) follow spots are available at the Veterans Memorial. There are 2 on each side (left and right). Please note that the follow spots are only accessible via a 20 foot ships ladder. The theatre using the follow-spot(s) must provide its own operator(s) and let the conference chairs know in advance that they wish to use the provided follow spots, so access can be set up before that particular excerpt. Additionally, an operator using house spots will not be able to hear the stage, so house comms must be used. *If a group wants to bring their own follow spot, it must be at least 5,000 lumens and throw at least 120 feet. Additionally, the follow spot must be set up in back of house left. No back of house right spot is allowed.

The set-up of any other special lighting must take place within the normal set-up time for the excerpt, which is part of the forty (40) minute set-up and performance time period and struck within the five (5) minute strike allowance. *Please note at Veterans Memorial there is no power on stage edge wall(s) and power must come from the pit. If you are running power from the pit for a light on stage, no cables can be in the “cracks/edges” of the pit (it will eat cables).

3. AUDIO:

A minimum of three (3) microphones must be provided for all theatres. Both floor mics (3) and hanging mics (3) will be provided for State Conference 2026. The host theatre must also provide a minimum of two (2) speakers, a 4-channel sound board, and an audio playback system (including a standard RCA audio input jack) for sound effects and music. The sound system will be permanent for all theatres and cannot be moved to use onstage. If an excerpt requires special sound equipment, the performing group must provide its own. There will be one mic in the sound booth if your technician needs to speak to cast/crew during set up.

Those bringing their own sound boards for the 2026 State Conference will have their setup in the back of house left. They will be able to plug into the house sound; please note that this theatre’s setup is a mono house for sound. Groups will be able to have their sound boards right outside the inner doors to the theatre right before their “go” time for the performance and will bring in their equipment on “Go.”

The distance from the stage box to the console in back of house left at Veterans Memorial is 250’. The theatre has drive line XLRs and the theater’s tech guru says there will be plenty of slack to meet the guest console. *The Zoom call recording has details regarding this in the chat.

4. SET FURNISHINGS:

All furniture and stage props must be furnished by individual groups and fit within their 10 x 10 squares.

5. OCTA-designated personnel will be assigned to all technical stations for all excerpts, and will strictly enforce the time limits, as per Festival Rules.

OTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THE 2026 STATE CONFERENCE:

Load – in and out:
1. The load in/out door (along the back wall of the stage) is a 9’ 10” high by 10’ wide large square door. Please make note of this in regards to your set pieces.
2. Each group has specifically assigned times for load in and load out that must be adhered to. You can back your truck in at your assigned time, unload, and then repark it. Same for load out. *Note that trucks must be pulled in parallel to the building (not perpendicular, due to fire lane). Due to fire lane laws, we cannot have several trucks in that area all at once. Please take a close look at the pictures above.
3. Each group will have a 10’ x 10’ box assigned for set furnishings, etc. These will be numbered and taped out along the back wall of the stage.
4. After the excerpt’s performance, the group will strike the set, etc. back to the assigned box until it is time for load out.
Stage Left and Stage Right Changing Areas:
1. On both sides of the stage in the wings space, there will be one approximately 8 foot square changing area for some privacy (pipe and drape). Please note: there may be some maintenance and other employees coming and going from the Receiving and Storage area, etc. near the stage left wing space, so you may want to consider using the provided changing areas.
Orchestra Pit: If a group is bringing an orchestra, there is a pit.
1. For load in, there will be a box for orchestra pieces (3 of them similar in function like we have on the stage for set but for instruments/orchestra needs, however, these will be smaller, approximately 2’ x 3’).
2. A piano is provided, but groups may also bring their own.
3. There are 2 circuits in the pit for electrical needs. They are on the far sides of the pit (one on each side, 20 amps each). There is no electrical for center of the pit; a 45 foot extension cord will need to be brought by any group needing electrical in the center of the pit area. Do not forget to bring any power strip(s) needed as well.
4. If a group is bringing a drum kit as part of their live orchestra, the group must also bring a carpet for the drum kit.
5. A limited number of chairs will be provided in orchestra pit for musicians.
Live Flame/Pyro in Theater – NO!
a. No open flame(s) or pyrotechnics are permitted in the theater. It is illegal.
b. Haze/fog must be 1) water-based and 2) inspected at least a week before to get the proper approvals. It is our recommendation for groups not to use fog/haze.
Housekeeping:
1. There will be house crew at the fly rails ready to work the traveler (for stage set up, strike, etc.).
2. There will also be someone in the tech booth for plug in of sound and for support (lighting, sound).
3. Veteran's Civic Center is graciously providing ushers for our conference. The ushers know all of the safety protocol in the case of any emergency, etc.
4. All venue staff have uniforms and name tags.
Second Floor Area: Dressing Rooms, Holding Rooms, Shrine Room info:
1. There will not be an audio feed upstairs. However, we can have a visual monitor set up in the Shrine room so you know what is going on on stage. Please note, it will not be the best picture quality.
2. There will be a runner that will walk your group from the Shrine Room to the Green Room downstairs where a group will wait until it is time to be taken to the stage to perform their excerpt.
3. See diagram below.
After Your Excerpt:
a. After you have completed striking your set back to your box on the back wall, gather cast and crew on stage for a picture.
b. Then, head down to the first row of seats for the three responders to address what they saw in the excerpt. Each responder has 3 minutes to respond to the excerpt.