Jobs in the Theatre Intro to Theatre Class Ms. Birtcher

Playwright The person who writes the play The person who writes the play Sometimes involved in production at the professional level, but often not in non- professional Sometimes involved in production at the professional level, but often not in non- professional

Dramaturg An expert who selects scripts and/or evaluates the literary quality of a script An expert who selects scripts and/or evaluates the literary quality of a script Might coordinate a “season” of play selections for a large theatre company Might coordinate a “season” of play selections for a large theatre company Does research into historical or societal issues of a play for director and cast Does research into historical or societal issues of a play for director and cast Provides educational services and materials Provides educational services and materials Sometimes help with casting Sometimes help with casting

Producer Deals with $$$ and Paperwork Deals with $$$ and Paperwork Gets the “rights” for the production – deals with royalties Gets the “rights” for the production – deals with royalties Places orders and pays bills Places orders and pays bills Deals with advertising Deals with advertising Hires and fires people Hires and fires people Creates the program Creates the program Organizes ticket sales Organizes ticket sales

Director Selects play (if not done by others) Selects play (if not done by others) Maintains “artistic” control – makes all final decisions Maintains “artistic” control – makes all final decisions Assembles a production team (sometimes with a Stage Manager’s help) Assembles a production team (sometimes with a Stage Manager’s help) Runs auditions and selects cast Runs auditions and selects cast Sets up rehearsal schedule Sets up rehearsal schedule Runs rehearsals Runs rehearsals

Assistant Director Helps director with rehearsals Helps director with rehearsals Sometimes becomes the stage manager during production Sometimes becomes the stage manager during production How much this person does depends on a lot of factors How much this person does depends on a lot of factors Sometimes acts as a prompter as well Sometimes acts as a prompter as well

Stage Manager Coordinates with Director, and answers to Producer Coordinates with Director, and answers to Producer In charge of crews In charge of crews “Calls the show” during performances “Calls the show” during performances Manages all back-stage activities Manages all back-stage activities

Crews Each crew has a crew head – reports to stage manager. Each crew has a crew head – reports to stage manager. Lights & Sound Lights & Sound Costumes & Make-up Costumes & Make-up Stage Crew – Builds the set Stage Crew – Builds the set Running Crew – Moves set during show Running Crew – Moves set during show Props – gathers props and works show Props – gathers props and works show House – Everything “out front” – Ushers, ticket sales, publicity House – Everything “out front” – Ushers, ticket sales, publicity

It Takes A Village Everyone on the production team is important! Everyone on the production team is important! When someone drops the ball, someone else has to pick it up and run with it because THE SHOW MUST GO ON! When someone drops the ball, someone else has to pick it up and run with it because THE SHOW MUST GO ON! Birtcher – updated 2014