Stage/Running Crew
Stage Crew are involved during the live running of the performance. Their are several different departments and roles within each area.
Stage Manager
The stage manager is a important member of the production team. They are mainly responsible for the organisation involved around stage. For example, they will ensure that they are aware of the casts availability. If a cast member leaves the theatre for whatever reason,t eh stage manager will need to track them. They will also ensure that all props, set pieces, costumes,used in each scene is noted. The stage manager will wok with the director, production crew and even the cast during the performance.
Assistant Stage Manager
The assistant stage manager works very closely with the stage manager during a performance. Their role is very similar and the will be assigned to manage back stage and ensure that the process remains organised.
Props
Props handle the props during the performance. Props will be added and removed from each scene. The prop operator will need to ensure they add and remove the props as required. The props will need to be placed in the position as directed.
Call Boy
During the performance, the actors will have various cues that are their signal to enter the stage. The 'Call Boy' will make the actors aware of the cue and direct towards the stage entrance.
Light board operator
The Light board operator is responsible for the implementation of Lighting FX during the performance. Similarly to sound, the light FX will mostly likely be scripted. The lighting script will need to be in line with the performance. It is important they are attentive as the Lighting will need to be activated on demand. IN live performance, there is not the same room for error as film. Also, the lighting FX are more integral to the performance. The FX often set the scene and are used to show emotional changes. The lights are also important to enclose the stage and black out the audience and wings (in most styles). The Light board operator will work closely with the Lighting designer. The roles may be combined in theatre. They would also work with other crew members such as grips, to ensure the lighting is setup correctly. They are possibly involved in the rigging of new lights. They will also work closely with the Sound Board Operator as often their equipment is interconnected.
Sound Board Operator
The Sound Board Operator is involved with the implementation of Sound FX during a live performance. A Sound FX script has been designed that works in correlation with the the dialogue script. There will be also be several pre programmed Sound FX that will need to be played at certain times. The sound equipment has potential to fail, so the technician will need to ensure the Sound equipment is set up correctly and is in good working condition. The sound Technician works closely with the sound designer. In theatre the roles may be combined. They will also work closely with the Lightning Technician during the live performance, as they will be working from the same area.
Spotlight Operator
During a performance a, a performer may require to be light be a single spot light. A 'follow spot' is a light that is designed to create a spot light that can be manipulated to follow the performer. The light may be placed in a lighting booth, a false ceiling or even in the audience. A spotlight operator will be the person responsible for handling the light. The will work with the lighting department to ensure they operate the light as required.
Stage Hand
The stage hand is literally a hands on role. They will do most of the labour work involved in the live performance. Their roles many involves moving the various set pieces, props and furniture that are used in each scene. The items will need to be removed with the blackout and items placed in the directed locations. The stage hand would have been made aware of what needs to be placed and removed by the stage manager.
Wardrobe
On stage, wardrobe assistants are extremely important to the live performance. This is because actors may need to change into many costumes. Their maybe only a small time window to change costume. The wardrobe assistant will assist the cast in any costume needs. They will ensure their actors costume is ready for them to change. They will work closely with the costume designer, the actors and the rest of the wardrobe department to ensure that the characters costumes are available.
Make-up Artist
A makeup artists in stage has an important role to play in the creative production and bringing life to the performance. During a stage performance, an actor may require various types of makeup. This could be makeup as seen on the street, such as cosmetics. They may also be required to transform actors into animals, monsters or other creatures. Their are also types of makeup that are applied to actors to ensure that they not shiny and that features like eyebrows are visible. The makeup artists will need to study the script to ensure that the make up is in line with the context of the story. They will also need to find details that will help them create makeup for each character. The artist will work closely with director, actor and costume department.
Mic Wrangler
The mic wrangler, sets up the microphones during the stage, They may need to lay down the cables and need to position the makes in position. On stage the wranglers will also wait in the wings and hand out Lav Microphones to the actors. They will also hand out head sets to required crew. Any battery operate equipment will need to be kept charge.
Fly-person
In theatre, there are a system of weights used to lower set pieces onto the stage. The pieces, such as back drops, will need to be lowered or raised at certain times during the performances. The fly operator will work closely with the stage manager to ensure the pieces are operated on queue. The fly will have rehearsed the operation of the pieces (How long does it take to raise or lower of piece?) to ensure they have an understand of the process and therefore capable of meeting the queue as and when required. The Fly is also responsibility for rigging and health and safety checks. Their is potential for risk during operation or due to negligence. The fly needs to be vigilant to ensure the pieces do not fall and cause injury or damage. They also need to have good Mathematical skills and understanding of the operation of the equipment. I don't think I would be good in this role.
Creative team: Personal responsible for the creative and visionary parts of production.
Playwright
The playwright is is a writer of scripts but they are generally not involved in the production. A producer will have decided on the a script by a particular playwright and will have purchased the rights to use that script. Famous playwrights whose work has been used often in theatre productions include Shakespeare, Pinter, Beckett and Chekov. However, plays can be unknown or new plays, adapted stories or even devised performances.
Director
A director is responsible for the creative elements of the performance. They are involved in the hiring of design staff and casting of actors. They are responsible for interpreting the producers concept. The director will have their own ideas of the performance and story. The play may be of a certain performance style so the director will need to be familiar with the style. They will work closely with the crew and actors in order to provide instructions to guide them towards the directors vision. Each director is different, some will want greater control or have a specific vision and others more flexible and open to alternative interpretations. Outside of admin, the director is involved in all areas of the performance from design to rehearsals. In small scale productions, a director may have other responsibilities, such as producer/director or director/actor.
Associate Director
The Associate Director works between the director and different teams. They support the director to ensure their needs are being met. They may also take on directing scenes is the director is unavailable. They have less involvement I the creative side of the performance than the director and assistant.
Assistant Director
The Assistant Director is takes on board some of the responsibilities from the director. They will asst with script, style and playwright research and editing. The Assistant Director will also handle additional rehearsals, warm up games and reading in for absent actors. They will also act a right hand man/woman for the director, providing additional incite or noticing what the director may have missed. The Assistant Director is involved in ensuring that the scenes or setup and props are available.
Set Designer
The set designer interprets the script and works closely with the director to conceptualise a idea of the visual appearance of the set. Each scene will be different and will have a certain look to it. Depending on the scene, the style and the interpretation of the scene, the set designer will visualise their imagined version of the scene. The scene does not refer to just the location, but the details such as costume, make-up, props and lighting. The play could be from a different era (past or future), so the set designer will need to be able to provide these details to the costume department.
The set designer may be miniature scale versions of the scenes as this provides a better idea of how a scene may look in full scale. It can also be used to show how actors may perform in scene and even if its is physically capable of being scaled up. The set designer will have knowledge of materials in order to understand if their vision is possible, in terms of properties of materials and the financial costs involved in building sets. A set designer is more likely to have artistic, graphic and craft skills than performance or admin skills. They are likely to be be skilled and knowledgable in areas such as design, fine art, interior design, 3D design, lighting and modelling. They will require the ability to interpret scripts visual concept.
This role is possibly one that requires the greatest level of creativity and imagination. They are the architect of the visual side of the performance. They read the script like a blue print and construct scenes as their temples. I like the idea of this role, as I have some ability in script interpretation and scale modelling skills. I am also interested in other areas such as costume and lighting. These skills can be applied to this role. If I do not continue as a performer but wish to stay in the business, I may choose to look at studying to more into this role.
Costume Designer
The Costume Designer needs to be able to interpret to costume required from the script. They will have to design characters costume within the script such as the time period and location of the script. What was the fashions of the time? What type of clothing did a particular person from that era wear? If it is futuristic, they will need to be able to design costumes that meet the vision of the director.
Lighting Designer:
The Lighting director will work closely with the director and lighting technicians. They are responsible for designing the LFX that are used in the performance. Unlike film, where the LFX are mostly used to lighten the scene or replicate natural light sources, lighting effects in stage are important for setting the scene and changing its energy. LFX may be needed to show lightning, emotion or time of day. The LFX are also important for masking unnecessary parts of the theatre, such as darkening areas or creating shadow. The LFX will mostly focused on the stage. The Lighting designer will need to create a script for the LFX that shows where they will be used in the scene.
Sound Designer:
The Sound Designer position is similar to the Lighting Designer, only with sound. They will work closely with the director to find the right sounds for this production. The role is different to film as in film Sound FX can be added during Post production. They will design the Sound FX to be used during the performance and acquire the sounds FX to be used. They will also create a playback which is used during a live performance. They will need to work closely with the board operator to ensure that they implement the required sound FX.
Composer
The composer writes music. Often the music already exists and has been chosen. The producer will be responsible for acquiring the rights to use the music. However, it is possible that a composer has been selected to compose music in line with the story and the directors vision. Often a playwright, particular of musicals, will work closely with a composer to write music for the plays as seen with a number of successful playwright/composer partnerships. Composers are often now used in films to create soundtracks, as for example, Star Wars.
Producer
A producer is top of the pyramid within at theatre production. They are responsible for hiring key personnel such as the director, choreographer, designers and writers. They will work closely with the director when hiring personnel for each role as the director will need to understand if they are the right person for the role. The producer is likely to also be responsible for hiring of theatre staff such as front of house, ushers and janitors.
A producer is responsible for the financial elements of the performance. The performance will have a set budget and the costs of the performance need to be maintained. The producer of a theatre is possibly the owner of the theatre so it will be their money of the table. The producer will seek to find external investors and sponsors for the event. This provides additional funds that are either used to fund the performance or invested into marketeering.
The producer is responsible for marketing and advertising of the play. The producer will hire a marketing team to put out adverts for the play. On a large scale, a producer may be able to delegate many responsibilities and focus mostly on recruitment and finances. On a smaller scale performances, the producer will take on board responsibility and may even have additional crewing roles such as director/producer.
A producer will require many skills such as business management, organisation and leadership.
Theatre Armourer
A play may require the use of of various weapons from various era's so the armourer will work with the director to ensure accurate weapons are used in the production The armourer is responsible for providing the weapons during the production, such as guns and swords. Their responsibilities will include health and safety, which is essential to prevent injuries. This is particularly important when firearms are involved, such as exampled by the accident during filming of the 'Rust' TV series. Although in film, often guns are more likely to be used, on stage, there is more likely to be melee weapons only. If guns are used, FX are more likely to be used to create the gun shot.
Customer service roles:
There are roles within a theatre that are exclusive the theatre or performance venues. They may also be associated with a cinema, but not a film production. The roles include a House Manager, Box Office Clerk, Customer Experience Manager and Front of House. The roles involved working mainly directly with the attendees. They may be responsible for handling tickets, showing audience to sets, providing programs and guidance. Their is also a role known as an access officer whose role is to ensure that performances are accessible. By accessibility this normally refers to wheelchairs users or other members of the public with physical difficulties.
Administration team:
The admin team includes roles such as executives, sales and accounts. Their roles is mostly within the business and admin side of the industry. The roles are not different to the same roles within other industries. Their jobs are vital in the aspect of running a business, not a production. Regardless of the industry, a company will require people such as accountants and IT.
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