This is a useful document for people new to the cans system and the way in which they work.

Cans are the primary means of communication during a show in the Theatre. The person who has control over the Cans will be the DSM (Deputy Stage Manager). They will have the Cans Master station in front of them and ill be in overall control. Everyone else will have a beltpack and a headset (that connects to the beltpack). The Beltpack will be connected to the whole cans circuit.

A strict set of rules most be kept by all users of the Cans while the DSM is cuing.

Firstly it should be noted that the cans should not be used as a means to communicate good luck messages or anything of such likeness. All conversation should be kept strictly to Show Business.

When everyone is on cans it is likely that the DSM will do a role call it may go like this;

LX? Followspots? ASM Stage Left? ASM Stage Right? Sound? Audio Visual?

When your department name is said you should reply with a single present.

Once this is done the show will begin (once FOH clearance is given).

The DSM will cue all aspects of the production.

They should when doing this keep all cues simple and use a single action word (most commonly GO). Things like "Now" or "run the cue" are not acceptable.

They will also give Standby cues to alert the operator before the actual Cue. Operators should respond by saying "LX (or what ever department) Standing by."

If the Cue is not obvious for instance a long fade then the department should tell the DSM that the cue is being executed.

Here is a typical cueing sequence

DSM- "Standby LX 28"

LX- "LX Standing by"

DSM- "LX 28 Go"

(if the cue is not obvious e.g. a long fade) LX- "Executing LX 28"

When the DSM says; "Quiet on Cans" all operators must respond by stopping conversation and being silent. When going off cans you must also declare it with something like "LX Going off cans" and when coming back on; "LX on cans"

Also when taking your cans off you must make sure that the headset is turned off because if not it will make an ear piercing sound across the whole Cans network.