1. Fundamentals of Play Production

2. Production Staff
DIRECTOR—OVERSEES ENTIRE PROCESS OF STAGING PRODUCTION
PRODUCER—HANDLES BUSINESS END OF PRODUCTION
SECURES RIGHTS AND ROYALTIES
RAISES MONEY
HIRES ACTORS AND STAFF
SUPERVISE PUBLICITY

3. DIRECTOR’S SKILLS
INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, FOCUS AND COMMUNICATE WITH ACTORS AND CREW
CONCENTRATION, PATIENCE AND IMAGINATION
STRONG VISUAL SENSE—ABILITY TO CREATE STAGE PICTURES
UNDERSTANDING RHYTHM, PACING AND STYLE OF PLAY
BROAD KNOWLEDGE OF TECHNICAL THEATRE
ANALYZE PLAY FOR PLOT, CHARACTER, SETTING AND THEME

4. DIRECTOR’S STAFF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STAGE MANAGER
KEEPS REHEARSAL PROCESS ORGANIZED, HELPS RUN REHEARSALS
STAGE MANAGER
LIAISON BETWEEN DIRECTOR AND TECHNICAL STAFF; RUNS SHOW DURING PERFORMANCES
PROMPTER
FEED LINES TO ACTORS DURING OFF BOOK REHEARSALS; CORRECTS INCORRECT BLOCKING
DRAMATURG
RESPONSIBLE FOR HISTORICAL ACCURACY OF PLAY
REPORTS TO DIRECTOR, CAST, AND CREW
GIVES ADVICE ON COSTUME, SET, AND PROP DESIGN
CLARIFIES PRONUNCIATION AND MEANINGS OF UNCLEAR LANGUAGE
CREATES LOBBY DISPLAY AND NOTE TO AUDIENCE IN PROGRAM

5. PRODUCER’S SKILLS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS
UNDERSTANDING OF COSTS FOR A TYPICAL PRODUCTION
PROJECT AND MANAGE EXPENSES
PREDICT AUDIENCE’S RECEPTION
ANALYZE PLAY FOR ARTISTIC AND COMMERCIAL MERIT

6. PRODUCER’S STAFF BUSINESS MANAGER PUBLICITY MANAGER HOUSE MANAGER
RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FUNDS
PAYING BILLS
MANAGING EXPENSES
TICKET SALES AND PROGRAMS
PUBLICITY MANAGER
PROMOTES THE SHOW IN THE COMMUNITY—ADVERTISING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
DESIGNS SHOW LOGO, T-SHIRTS
HOUSE MANAGER
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SEATING AND COMFORT OF THE AUDIENCE

7. PRODUCTION TEAM: DIRECTOR, PRODUCER AND DESIGN TEAM
DESIGN TEAM: ALL TECHNICAL DESIGNERS
MEET EARLY ON TO DISCUSS PRODUCTION CONCEPT
PRODUCTION CONCEPT: HOW THE PLAY SHOULD LOOK AND FEEL
DIRECTOR COMES UP WITH THIS AFTER CONSULTATION WITH PRODUCER AND SCRIPT; PRODUCTION TEAM HELPS TO DEFINE AND REFINE IT.

8. Types of Rehearsals Reading Rehearsal Blocking Rehearsals
Attended by all members of cast and production team
Cast engages in a read thru of the script, production team listens, takes notes, and prepares
Blocking Rehearsals
Rehearsals in which the director co-ordinates all the planned movements on stage
All gestures and movements must be meaningful
Director works to create balanced, unified, and proportional stage pictures that help to tell the story

9. Working Rehearsals Polishing Rehearsals Technical Rehearsals
most creative part of rehearsal process; actors develop their interpretation the character and words and actions are put together
Actors are OFF BOOK (lines memorized) during Working Rehearsals
Polishing Rehearsals
During final weeks of rehearsal period, when all the essential elements of the production are in place
Technical Rehearsals
Final week of rehearsal, when lights, sound, and stage changes are co-ordinated by the various crews
Dress Rehearsal: final rehearsal, usually before an invited audience, before the first performance