Within the auditorium at North Lincoln High School, careful use of haze/smoke/fog and other atmospheric effects is important due to the sensitivity of the sensors within the smoke detection system.  Even small amounts of haze will result in the alarms being activated. Normal methods of setting up fire watches are not possible with the design of our smoke detection system and the requirements within the county.    

I spent time with the teachers and administrators, explaining the purpose of haze effects and showed them pictures and videos of what we could accomplish.  I also asked that we conduct a full test and demonstration of what the stage would look like with the use low level fog and haze.  

I was able to set up a test where we would take the fire alarm system offline and demonstrate first hand what was possible.  

Since we do not have moving lights currently, I designed a plot of 24 ellipsoidal fixtures with various gobo breakup patterns and gel colors and had lights hung from numerous positions in the auditorium.  At the predesignated time after school and with the use of a borrowed haze machine, the haze was turned on and I started to demonstrate some of the effects that can be accomplished.  With actors on stage, they began to dance, pose, leap, and perform songs from previous musicals and rehearse scenes from our upcoming Cabaret show.  As the fire alarms rang and the emergency strobes flashed, everyone watched the preset demonstration that I had programmed.  

The faculty and administration absolutely loved the demonstration.  They took pictures and videos and began sending them to other administrations in the county and school system.  Within 48 hours, we had approval from the school system to change the detectors in the auditorium from particle detectors to heat (rate of rise) detectors. 

I had shown them photos in the past of lighting with atmospheric effects and they had seen similar displays at other venues. However, this was the first time they saw what the real possibilities were for our High School stage.  They realized that we have the opportunity to do even greater things than we have in the past and they are very excited for the future.