“House lights up, then we strike.”
Street-smart APAC English: short sentences a tired operator can say out loud.
A Singapore ballroom, the gala’s last speech ends.
A crew member starts coiling cable by the stage.
Guests at the front tables are still finishing dessert.
Quick answer: The teardown line English APAC is the crew lead’s call that holds the strike: house lights up, then we strike, so nothing comes down while guests are still in the room. The crew lead says it on the crew channel before the final segment.
Pair it with the closing house-lights line English APAC and the chair-stack line English APAC for more event language on the floor. The closing house-lights line speaks to guests; this one speaks only to crew.
What goes in the teardown line English APAC?
The teardown line English APAC has three parts: the signal, the order and the start. House lights up is the signal everyone can see. Then sets the order, so the guest exit comes first and the strike second. We strike is the start word, said once by the crew lead, so nobody begins early on their own.
Teardown line (illustrative):
“Crew, hold. No strike until house lights up.”
“Guests out first, doors clear.”
“House lights are up. We strike.”
Speakable lock (illustrative): “House lights up, then we strike.”
Print it on the crew card and say it on the crew channel only, never on the house mic. One signal, one order, one start word from one crew lead.
When should the crew lead give the teardown line?
Give the hold before the final segment, while crew still have time to hear it. Give the start only when house lights are up and the floor manager confirms the room is clearing. Say it once, on the crew channel. Crew who start early in a quiet room are seen by every guest.
| Kill this | Say this (illustrative) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sige po, simulan na natin, konti na lang tao. | Crew, hold. No strike until house lights up. | Holds the start |
| Eh, start coil cable first lah, faster. | Guests out first, doors clear. | Sets the order |
| Later can strike already, see how. | House lights are up. We strike. | One clear start word |
Lines in this table are illustrative, not quotes from real people.
What if guests linger after house lights?
Strike the far side of the room first and leave the guest tables alone. Keep the stage, the doors and the walkways for last. Ushers can thank guests warmly and point to the exits, while crew stay quiet and keep cases closed until each area is clear.
How do you brief the crew on the teardown line?
Brief the crew at the pre-show huddle, not at the end of the night when everyone is tired. Say the line once, name the crew lead who gives the start word and name the floor manager who confirms the room. Agree which area strikes first. Freelancers who join late get the same short brief before they touch a case.
Why does the line work?
Strike noise and rolling cases tell guests the night is over before the host does. The line ties the start to something everyone can see, so no crew member has to guess. It also gives the crew lead one word to hold back an eager crew without a long explanation.
How does the line play out on PH and SG/MY desks?
Philippines desk. In PH hotel ballrooms, crews are keen to finish after a long day. Add po and sir or ma’am when you brief: hold po, until house lights up. Post the strike order in the crew Viber group so every team starts on the same word.
Singapore and Malaysia desk. In Singapore and Malaysia, keep it brisk on the channel: hold, house lights up, then strike. Name the floor manager who confirms the room is clearing, and keep the same words every night.
Monday field kit
- Crew lead named for the strike call.
- Strike order posted in the crew Viber group.
- Floor manager confirms the room is clearing.
- Cases staged closed at the back until the start word.
- Kill rule: never start the strike while guests are still seated.
FAQs
What is the teardown line?
The teardown line is the crew lead’s call that holds the strike: house lights up, then we strike. Nothing comes down while guests are still in the room.
When do you say the teardown line?
Say the hold on the crew channel before the final segment. Say the start word once house lights are up.
Who owns the teardown line?
The crew lead owns the teardown line. The crew lead says it once, on the crew channel.
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Illustrative lines only. Communications craft, not legal advice.