Lobby Technician — Standard Operating Procedure

GCT Production Team

1. Purpose & Overview

The Lobby Technician deploys and manages portable speaker systems throughout the building and sets appropriate audio levels on the Sonos distributed audio system. This role ensures that audio from the main service is clearly heard in overflow and auxiliary spaces — the Mother's Room, the building's front steps, and the fire escape area (parking lot).

This SOP provides step-by-step instructions for setup, cable management, level checks, and teardown so the experience is consistent and professional at every service.

2. Responsibilities

• Deploy portable speakers to the Mother's Room, front steps, and fire escape (3rd floor).
• Run and dress all audio cables safely across walkways and door openings.
• Connect speakers to the FOH audio console.
• Manage the Sonos distributed audio system via iPad.
• Check audio levels during band rehearsal and again after pre-service prayer.
• Ensure no Sonos speakers are active in the Ballroom or Salon.
• Strike all gear and restore spaces at the end of service.

3. Equipment & Materials

3.1 Audio Equipment

• 3× portable speakers with XLR and power connections.
• 2× XLR cable spools (black) — one located by the audio console, one in the side-stage hallway.
• Sonos distributed audio system.

3.2 Tools & Supplies

• Gaff tape — stored backstage in the Stage Left Production Closet (inside the tool box).

3.3 Control Devices

• Sonos control iPad — stored backstage.

INFO: Sonos iPad password: 000000

4. Cable Management Standards

Proper cable management is required for safety and a professional appearance. Follow these rules at all times:

• All cables crossing walkways must be secured with gaff tape.
• All cables crossing door openings must be secured with gaff tape.
• Gaff tape is stored backstage in the Stage Left Production Closet, in the tool box.
• Run cables along walls and baseboards wherever possible to minimize tripping hazards.
• Do not leave excess slack in high-traffic areas.

NOTE: Unsecured cables in walkways and doorways are a safety hazard. Never leave cables untaped across any path of travel.

5. Sonos Distributed Audio Setup

The Sonos system distributes audio throughout the lobby and auxiliary spaces. Follow the steps below to configure it correctly before each service.

5.1 Accessing the Sonos iPad

1. Retrieve the Sonos control iPad from the red tool box backstage (stage right, by the backstage rack).
2. Power on the iPad if needed. The password is 000000.
3. Open the Sonos app.

5.2 Configuring the Audio Source

1. In the Sonos app, navigate to the Sources section.
2. Select Line In from the list of available sources.
3. Set the destination to 2nd Floor.
4. Tap Apply to confirm the selection.

5.3 Setting Volume Levels

1. Set the overall lobby volume to between 65% and 75%.
2. Verify that volume in all lobby spaces is at an appropriate level during band rehearsal.
3. Perform a second volume check after pre-service prayer.

5.4 Ballroom & Salon — Verify Speakers Are Off

1. In the Sonos app, confirm that no Sonos speakers are turned on or grouped in the Ballroom.
2. Confirm that no Sonos speakers are turned on or grouped in the Salon.

NOTE: The Ballroom and Salon must NOT have active Sonos speakers during the service. Always verify this before the service begins.

6. Speaker & Cable Deployment Procedure

6.1 Start at the FOH Audio Console

1. Locate the first black XLR cable spool.
2. Plug the XLR cable into Output 2 on the FOH audio console.

6.2 Cable Run — FOH to Theater Lobby

1. Run the cable up the balcony steps to the back of the room.
2. Continue running the cable toward the stairs in the theater.
3. Drop the cable straight down to the main level of the theater.
4. Run the cable across the back wall of the theater.
5. Continue running the cable out the back door into the lobby.

NOTE: Tape all cables wherever they cross walkways or door openings. Use gaff tape from the Stage Left Production Closet tool box.

6.3 Cable Run — Lobby to Mother's Room

1. From the lobby, run the cable straight across to the wall containing the men's restroom.
2. Follow that wall all the way to the Mother's Room.
3. Enter the Mother's Room and run the cable to the speaker location on the back wall.

6.4 Deploy Speaker 1 — Mother's Room

1. Position Speaker 1 at the designated location on the back wall of the Mother's Room.
2. Connect the power cable to the speaker and plug it into the nearest power outlet.
3. Connect the XLR cable (from the FOH run) to the input of Speaker 1.

INFO: Speaker 1 location — back wall of the Mother's Room.

6.5 Cable Run — Mother's Room to Front Steps

1. Connect the second XLR cable spool to the output (link / through) of Speaker 1.
2. Run this second XLR cable from the Mother's Room all the way to the speaker location on the front steps of the building.
3. Tape all cables at any walkway crossings or door openings along this run.

6.6 Deploy Speaker 2 — Front Steps

⚠️ CRITICAL: Do NOT turn on or place Speaker 2 outside on the front steps until after pre-service prayer has concluded.

1. After pre-service prayer, position Speaker 2 at the front steps location.
2. Connect the power cable. The outlet for this speaker is in the first room on the right when entering the building from the front steps.
3. Connect the XLR cable (from the Mother's Room run) to the input of Speaker 2.

INFO: Power source for Speaker 2 — first room on the right when entering from the front steps.

6.7 Deploy Speaker 3 — Fire Escape (3rd Floor)

1. Once Speakers 1 and 2 are in place and all cables are properly dressed, proceed to the 3rd-floor fire escape.
2. Move Speaker 3 from its storage position (just inside the fire escape door) to its designated location on the fire escape.
3. Connect the power cable.
4. Connect the XLR cable.

INFO: Speaker 3 and its cables are pre-staged just inside the fire escape door. You only need to move the speaker to its position and connect power and XLR.

7. Audio Level Checks

Two audio level checks are required at every service. Both should include a physical walk-through of each speaker location.

7.1 Level Check 1 — During Band Rehearsal

• Walk through the Mother's Room and verify that audio is clearly audible at a comfortable level.
• Check the fire escape speaker level on the 3rd floor.
• Use the Sonos iPad to adjust lobby levels as needed.

7.2 Level Check 2 — After Pre-Service Prayer

• Repeat the walk-through of all speaker locations.
• Verify that Speaker 2 is deployed and operational on the front steps.
• Confirm Sonos lobby levels are still within the 65–75% range.
• Confirm that no Sonos speakers are active in the Ballroom or Salon.

8. Quick Reference Checklist

Use this checklist on the day of each service to verify all tasks are completed.

• Retrieve Sonos iPad from backstage and configure (Line In → 2nd Floor → Apply).
• Retrieve gaff tape from the Stage Left Production Closet tool box.
• Plug XLR Spool 1 into Output 2 on the FOH audio console.
• Run cable: balcony steps → theater back → drop to main level → back wall → out back door → lobby → men's-restroom wall → Mother's Room.
• Tape all cable crossings at walkways and door openings.
• Deploy Speaker 1 in the Mother's Room — connect power and XLR.
• Connect XLR Spool 2 to the output of Speaker 1.
• Run XLR Spool 2 from the Mother's Room to the front steps — tape all crossings.
• Stage Speaker 2 near the front steps (do NOT place outside until after pre-service prayer).
• AFTER pre-service prayer: deploy Speaker 2 on the front steps — connect power (first room on the right from the steps) and XLR.
• Go to the 3rd-floor fire escape — move Speaker 3 to its location and connect power and XLR.
• Level Check 1: walk all speaker locations during band rehearsal; adjust Sonos to 65–75%.
• Level Check 2: walk all speaker locations after pre-service prayer; verify the front-steps speaker is live.
• Confirm Sonos: no speakers active in the Ballroom.
• Confirm Sonos: no speakers active in the Salon.

9. Quick Reference — Key Details

10. Field Photo Reference

Reference photos of storage locations and the clean cable-run standard to match.

Speaker storage — side stage left

Clean cable run — theater lobby

3rd-floor speaker storage

Theater stairs

Clean cable run — theater aisle

Theater lobby stairs