More Info: Inclined Playing Surface (e.g., Raked Stage, Ramp, Inclined Set Piece, etc.)

Last updated: March 2026

Important: In some Equity agreements, inclined playing surfaces are not permitted. It is recommended that the employer refer to their Equity agreement for more details (e.g., incline is not permitted, maximum incline permitted, etc.). If you are contemplating using an inclined playing surface, the employer should contact the Equity Field Representative assigned to their agreement.

This document lays out the best industry practice for using inclined playing surfaces in a safe manner. It contains the details for a variety of scenarios, but the guiding principles are that safe use of inclined playing surfaces requires:

1. Detailed disclosure to affected performers and stage managers;

2. Involvement of a qualified professional(s) to ensure proper, safe usage of inclined playing surfaces; and

3. Continual attention to performer and stage manager health, with ongoing plans for mitigation of the adverse effects caused by an inclined playing surface.

PRIOR to the inclined playing surface 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 an inclined playing surface in the upcoming production.

2. The performers and stage managers hired should be notified that there will be an inclined playing surface 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

3. The employer should engage at least the following appropriate individual(s) for the health and safety of the performers and stage managers:

   • A qualified person or two or more competent persons to make a risk assessment as defined in ANSI E1.60

   • To evaluate the risk of injury, a licensed professional should have the following qualifications:

     • Licensed in a field that includes formal training in human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, and ergonomics. 

     • Training or experience should include the skills and abilities necessary to assess risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injury/illness. 

     • It is highly recommended that individual(s) should have previous work experience with performers and stage managers, which includes work performed in a clinic and at the worksite (theater) and a minimum of two (2) years of health care professional experience.

   • Examples of licensed professionals are physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician, or other licensed/certified health care professions who may be appropriate after demonstrating equivalent study/knowledge, etc.

4. A production assessment should be conducted for all areas and the work planned between the performers, stage managers, and the inclined playing surface. Determining what hazards are present and their severity prioritizes which risks are most in need of elimination or mitigation.

   • The following are specifications, safety measures, and hazard awareness for an inclined playing surface to consider when conducting the production assessment. This list is not exhaustive, and additional precautions may be needed when inclined playing surfaces are used.

     • Specifications:

       • Dimensions of the inclined playing surface(s) (e.g., the height of the incline, direction of the incline(s), two or more inclines merging, etc.)

       • Identifying all the edges

       • Access points onto and off the inclined playing surface(s) (e.g., steps, staircase, etc.)

       • Type of surface (e.g., cobblestone, plexiglass, etc.)

       • The maximum number of performers planned to be on the inclined playing surface(s)

       • Scenery and props that will be used on the inclined playing surface(s)

       • Tracks in the surface for scenery and props to move

       • Open traps, trap doors, and/or open gaps surrounding the elevators and lifts when flush with the surface

       • Staging and/or choreography the performer(s) plan to execute on the inclined playing surface(s)

     • Safety measures:

       • Appropriate footwear

       • Prior to each use, the surface and edges should be checked for any new possible trip hazards and/or wear and tear that may need repair; footwear should be checked for any wear and tear that may need repair or replacement; and costumes, wigs, headdresses and mic packs should be checked for any wear and tear and/or that these have not become more restrictive on the actor in any way.

       • Contingency plans in case the inclined playing surface cannot be used for any reason (e.g., technical issues, performer discomfort, etc.)

       • Edges well marked (e.g., marking the transitions between the inclined playing surface(s) and the existing stage floor)

       • Fall protection (e.g., adding railings, a written plan, etc.)

       • Additional breaks off the incline(s)

       • Reduce the amount of rehearsal time spent on the incline(s)

       • First aid

       • If outdoors, identifying weather-related hazards and implement risk mitigation actions per ANSI ES1.7

     • Hazard awareness:

       • Steeper the incline, the greater the risk

       • Slipperiness per ANSI E1.34

       • Floor of the incline has little resilience for dancing and musical staging per ANSI E1.26

       • Surface is not uniform or an even floor (e.g., tracks in incline to move scenery, open traps, trap doors, cobblestone surface, plexiglass surface, mounds, etc.)

       • Stability of props and set pieces on an incline, moving sets and props on an incline, etc.)

       • Moving set and props on the incline(s) (e.g., heavy weight, performers and stage managers directed to move them in awkward positions, etc.)

       • Costumes, footwear, use of props or scenic pieces that restrict mobility on the incline(s)

       • Lack of stage lighting when entering/exiting an incline

       • Use of special effects that diminish visibility (e.g., smoke and haze, water effects, lasers, strobes, etc.)

       • If outdoors, weather-related hazards (e.g., wind, precipitation, etc.)

5. A written plan(s), including contingencies, should be developed based on the above risk and production assessments to eliminate and/or reduce the health and safety risks for the performers and stage managers. The plan(s) should be created by the appropriate individual(s) and sent to the employer. The employer should share the plan(s) with the performers, stage managers, and Equity.

   • The following is a possible use of an inclined playing surface that should be addressed in the written plan(s) if the use takes place. If the use is not listed below, the employer should contact the Equity field representative to discuss further.

     • For an inclined playing surface that will be used to create uneven surfaces for the performers and stage managers to perform and work on, a physical therapist should evaluate the planned staging/choreography and work and recommend adjustments and/or changes to reduce the risk of injury for the performers and stage managers.

6. An orientation should be given to the performers and stage managers explaining the specific details in the written plan(s) and the production assessment.

   • The orientation should include but is not limited to:

     • Demonstrations and/or instructions

     • Distributing copies of the report and plan(s), including contingencies that will be in place to each performer and stage manager

     • Introduction of the personnel in charge of the inclined playing surface

     • A walk-through of each inclined playing surface

7. If applicable, an inspection by the local authority having jurisdiction (e.g., fire department, parks department, emergency services, etc.) should take place. The location of the inclined playing surface may be blocking exit(s) that lead out of the venue in case of emergency.

8. An individual(s) with appropriate first-aid training to address injuries to the body, such as sprains, fractures, etc., should be on-site during scenes involving the inclined playing surface. The individual(s) that will be onsite in case a health emergency arises should be announced to the performers and stage managers prior to each performance.

WHILE the inclined playing surface 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 an inclined playing surface, etc.) should provide appropriate and adequate training and rehearsal with the inclined playing surface to ensure the safety of the performers and stage managers. If, for any reason, it is not possible to hold such training and rehearsals, the Equity field representative should be notified immediately.

   • This training and rehearsal should include, but is not limited to:

     • Discussing what the inclined playing surface is simulating (e.g., outdoor landscapes like hills or mounds, rooftops, access paths from one level of the set to another, etc.)

     • When in the production they will take place

     • Entrances/exits for performers, stage managers, set, and prop pieces

     • The activity of each performer and stage manager onstage and backstage

2. Contingency plans should be rehearsed in case the inclined playing surface cannot be used for any reason (e.g., technical issues, performer discomfort, etc.).

3. If any conditions change the established practices and/or use of inclined playing surface in the production, stage managers, performers, and appropriate individuals should be notified immediately. At that time, the written plan for the inclined playing surface should be updated and the new version provided to the performers, stage managers, and Equity.

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 inclined playing surface. Should any of the personnel in charge of the inclined playing surfaces change, the introduction of the new personnel should be made to the performer(s) and stage manager(s) prior to their first use of the inclined playing surface.

5. Performers and stage managers experiencing any adverse effects from rehearsing, performing, or working on the inclined playing surface during the run of the production should notify the Equity field representative immediately. Possible adverse effects include injuries to the foot, ankle, torso, lower back, shoulders, neck, head, etc. Also, performers and stage managers should report discomfort, pain, or injury to the employer immediately. Depending on the agreement, the employer or stage manager should document these in the injury report that is sent to Equity.

Inclined Playing Surface Maintenance:

1. Footwear worn outside the venue should not come in contact with the stage surface to maintain cleanliness. If the performers are directed to perform staging and choreography in the house, then the stage surface should be cleaned on a more frequent basis. The use of sticky floor mats to remove dirt and debris should be placed throughout backstage to use before entering the stage.

2. The surface and edges of an inclined playing surface; all costumes; prop pieces; and other goods worn, handled, or in proximity to performers or stage managers working should be checked more frequently for wear and tear. Cracks, dents, holes, etc. should be repaired before the next call of the performers or stage managers. The cleaning of the edges should also be conducted more frequently.

3. When performing or working on an inclined playing surface, appropriate footwear should be provided to help reduce the risk of injury. High heels should be avoided. An adequate number of physical therapy sessions as determined by the physical therapist should be offered to the performers and stage managers during the run of the engagement.

4. Cameras and monitors should be used to provide a complete view of the inclined playing surface for backstage personnel.

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

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

Additional recommended guidelines can be found at the following organization:

• https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/documents/published_docs.php

  • ANSI E1.26 – Entertainment Technology – Recommended Testing Methods and Values for Shock Absorption of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues

  • ANSI E1.34 – Entertainment Technology – Measuring and Specifying the Slipperiness of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues

  • ANSI E1.46 – Standard for the Prevention of Falls from Theatrical Stages and Raised Performance Platforms

  • ANSI E1.60 – Guidelines for the Use of Raked Stages in Live Performance Environments