Staged Performances

Staged Performance Toolkit

Published October 2023, replacing March 2016

Introduction

Staged Performances can be a great way for a young person to develop a specific talent whilst taking part in a balanced Scouts programme, as required by POR.

Please note that this guidance does not consider Scout activities that are held during a normal evening’s programme event for any of the Scout sections (Squirrels to Network) such as Entertainers Badge / performing to parents / camp fire songs and skits / etc.

Aim of the Staged Performances Toolkit

The aim of the Staged Performance Toolkit is to provide support and guidance to members leading Staged Performances. 

Definitions

Staged performances consist of, or include, any of dance, drama, music, song and other staged arts.  By ‘staged’, this means to put on a performance. This can be in theatres, school halls, auditoriums, Scout hut, a field etc.

A staged performance may be a singular performance/show and have rehearsals of just a few weeks, or it may be a week-long of evening performances with rehearsals for the 6 months prior. Each entity would be classed as a ‘show run’.

Public performance is a performance which may be viewed by those who are not the direct invitee of the participants or leaders involved. This does include:

• performances with public ticketing, whether free or paid for; 
• where the performance is part of a wider public display;
• on a one-off basis (e.g. community fair). 

It does not include performances with closed audiences (e.g. carol singing at care homes). The relevant Commissioner / Lead Volunteer or their designate, can restrict the audience of any non-public performance.

A Musical Performance is a performance where the performance is primarily that of an instrument(s) creating sound, including the voice. Musical performances can also play on stage and there will be crossover between the requirements in these cases. Please refer to the Musical Performance Toolkit.