A Day in the Life of Theatre by Theatre Sq https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy Made with an open mind en-us 2017-11-04 14:14:05 UTC 2023-02-08 06:38:33 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Condos.png Introduction adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536009 Beginning:
Upon walking in, the stage and room is dark, except for a sole lightbulb on a pole in the middle of the stage space. This is called the ghost light, and the reason behind it is to provide a light so that actors/staff arriving to the theatre don't:
-fall into the orchestra pit
-stepping on pieces of set
-tripping over set pieces/parts of the stage
There are also superstitions behind this light:
"" The superstitious have various justifications for the ghost light in relation to the supernatural. A popular theatrical superstition holds that every theater has a ghost, and some theaters have traditions to appease ghosts that reach far back into their history. For example, the Palace Theatre, London keeps two seats in their balcony permanently bolted open to provide seating for the theater ghosts. Similar superstitions hold that ghost lights provide opportunities for ghosts to perform onstage, thus appeasing them and preventing them from cursing the theater or sabotaging the set or production. This is also used to explain the traditional one day a week that theaters are closed. ""

At the start of the day, the staff will begin to arrive, and will begin their rounds and everyone in all aspects of the theater will start getting their personal spaces ready/taking care of their responsibilities- for example, custodians are some of the first people to start working, taking care of their jobs before anyone arrives for that day

]]> 2017-11-04 14:17:48 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536009 Wardrobe and Planning for Next Season (page 109 and 110) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536061 A big part of this is costumes. Most costume shops consist of rows of sewing machines, fabric-cutting tables, fitting rooms, and laundry facilities. 
-Costumes will need to be washed and pressed after each performance.
-Wig maintenance is also important
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Planning
-The literary manager reads and evaluates new scripts
-They often write grant applications to help support new play development and stage readings of new plays
-Receive up to 1,000 scripts a year from struggling playwrights; usually receive pieces and can further request full script if interested
-Narrows it down to 5-6 and sends to the artistic director) for the future season

]]> 2017-11-04 14:18:21 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536061 The Producers (page 111) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536249 The term producer has many definitions. There are different meanings for it depending on the medium of art you are examining.
Hollywood movie/ Broadway play- the producer is the person in charge of the business and managerial side of a production
Television sitcom/ Hour-length drama- the producer is usually a staff writer who may have a title such as associate producer, producer, or the executive producer.
In England- (just to make everything confusing!) the word producer is often used to reference the person who directs a play

Now, these lines are not hard in the sand. Sometimes situations call for the producer to have a larger or smaller part in the production. In the American theatre, producers might be individuals or institutions (universities, churches, or community organizations) who put up their own money to finance a production.

Nonprofit theatres usually have a producing director who must manage all aspects of the theatre's budget to meet government regulations for nonprofit organizations.

If a play is performed for profit, the producer assumes financial responsibility for any losses but also pockets any profit.

Since money is involved, this makes the producer or the producing organization one of the most powerful positions in theatre. ]]> 2017-11-04 14:20:09 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536249 Artistic Director and Crew adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536474 As defined, an artistic director is "in charge of the overall creative vision or goal of the ensemble"
-The artistic director chooses the play to produce, and who the director and designers are for each play as well
-Jobsite theater- many AD's
-Artistic director's are the theater's main promoter, somewhat a chief out of the entire crew, and they are who everyone goes to when big decisions are needing to be made]]> 2017-11-04 14:22:28 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536474 Rehearsing and Building a show (page 112) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536550 When it comes to rehearsing a show, the stage manager and the responsibilities they take on often go unnoticed. Without the stage manager, putting the final pieces to a play together would be nearly impossible.
On a typical theatre day, the main duties of a stage manager include:
1) Running the show during a performance
2) Assisting the director during the rehearsal process (taking notes, recording blocking, scheduling rehearsals, and assisting with auditions.)
The process of building the set required for a play is taken on by the construction crew located in the theatre's scene shop. A typical theatre scene shop contains various equipment such as: metal working and word working tools, an electric shop with equipment to maintain, repair and hang lights, and a paint shop.
The process of building the set is different with most theatre's. Smaller theatre's take on the task of building their own set, while larger theatre's send their drawings, sketches, etc. to a technical director. The technical director supervises the construction crews and answers to no one *except the director, designers, budget office, and artistic director]]> 2017-11-04 14:23:11 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536550 Managing the Stage adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536584 The stage manager is one of the most important positions in theater: they are the ones that are there from start to finish, taking notes through every rehearsal and practice, and are the ones that keep track of and call cues during a performances.
-Prompt book
-Rehearsal report
-Performance report]]> 2017-11-04 14:23:39 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536584 Technical Director (page 113 bottom) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536627 The technical director or TD supervises the construction crews, which include painters, carpenters, electricians, stitchers, wigmakers, and the rest of the "Tech Crew"
-They have have authority over all the crew chiefs
-Answers only to the director, the designers, the budget office, and the artistic director
-The tech crew can be made up of a few people or even dozens depending on the production]]> 2017-11-04 14:24:06 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536627 Fundraising, Designing and Sewing (page 114) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536703 Draper- the person who studies the costume designer's drawings and renderings and then finds a way to cut the fabric into patterns that realize the design
Stichers- the ones who sew the fabric patterns together creating the full costumes and rehearsal costumes
Rehearsal costumes- costumes used temporarily during rehearsal so the actors get a feel for the actual costumes long before they are ready
Prop- theatre lingo for "properties" and includes hand props or any objects actors handle on stage (pens, fans, cigars, and umbrellas)
Prop master- the person in charge of the props and the making of them
Rehearsal Props- the props used during rehearsal to represent the real property that the actors will not be able to use until the last week of rehearsals

]]> 2017-11-04 14:24:46 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536703 More Rehearsing (page 115) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536816 Depending on the type of play, different instructors are brought to rehearsals to teach the actors the skills they need to perform the play to their best abilities. In a musical, the musical director supervises all aspects of a musical and conducts the orchestra during performances. The choreographer creates new dance numbers and is teaching the steps to the dancers. If the play is a time piece, a movement coach shows the actors how people would move during that time. A fight director is and expert in making a stage safe, realistic, make believe fights. The vocal coach helps the actors with speech clarity, volume, and preservation of their voices for the long run of the show. ]]> 2017-11-04 14:26:05 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536816 Creating Sets and Sounds, Advising the Director (page 116 and 117) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536883 The sound designer works with various effects recording and synthesizing sounds. Before the actual set is made, the set designer uses a CAD (Computer Animated Design) design program to design the set of the future production. In the literary department the assistance of a dramaturg is needed by the director, but their duties vary for different theatres. A dramaturg a literary advisor and expert in theatre history who helps advise the director on specifics about the performance history and the  historical period of which the time was set. In other theatres the dramaturg participates as a literary manager and set up work productions and stage readings. ]]> 2017-11-04 14:26:49 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203536883 Attending Meetings and Creating a Missions Statement (page 117) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537020 Production meeting- all aspects of the production are discussed and evaluated by the director, stage manager, the technical director, and the heads of various crews
Mission statement- a theatre's mission statement declares in clear and concise terms the theatre's purpose and key objectives

Jobsite's mission statement:
Jobsite Theater is dedicated to the creation of socially and politically relevant theater and the pursuit of performing it to the broadest possible audience. Jobsite has established and will continue to evolve a collective of like-minded artists, creating a supportive environment where artists of all disciplines may experiment, hone, and apply their skills in a professional laboratory environment. Through all forms of theater – experimental, new plays, contemporary masterpieces, and the classics – as well as our extensive educational and community outreaches programmed year-round, Jobsite hopes to inspire audiences to become not just consumers, but true citizens.

]]> 2017-11-04 14:28:11 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537020 Publicizing a Play and Fitting Costumes (page 117) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537096 The publicity department is in charge of promoting the next play
-They set up interviews for radio stations
-They arrange for school tours and outreach programs
-They design print, radio, and television ads
Fitting Costumes
-The actors come in and try on their attire while a stitchers pins and tucks the fabric ensuring everything fits just right
-One costume can require several fittings]]> 2017-11-04 14:28:52 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537096 Brainstorming a Concept adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537248 A concept meeting is a meeting that is held with the director and many designers, talking about a show that they are wanting to do in the future, just bouncing ideas off of each other and preparing ahead of time.
-Held long before anything is designed
-Could be many of these meetings held before anything is designed officially ]]> 2017-11-04 14:29:57 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537248 Preparing for the Evening Performance (page 119) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537379 When arriving for the evening performance, the actors enter from the stage door located behind the theatre with a notice board where the actors check for messages and sign in. The time the actors arrive at the theatre is known as the call, and the time the play starts is the curtain. Actors spend the time before the performance warming up their body and voice, applying makeup, doing their hair, and putting on costumes. Backstage the prop master makes sure that all the props needed are located on the prop table. The sound board operator runs various sound cues and makes sure all the speakers, mixer, amplifiers, etc. are working.]]> 2017-11-04 14:31:12 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537379 7:30: Opening the House adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537489 -Props, costumes, actors all ready
-Staff are scattered everywhere making sure everything is set for the show that will begin in an hour
-"One hour till curtain," house in 30 mins
-House: where audience sits
-Prop check
-House manager: makes his/her rounds
-House opens 30 mins prior to show
-"Ten minutes until curtain" warning
-Places
-"Break a leg" before performance]]> 2017-11-04 14:31:59 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537489 If it Can Go Wrong, it Will (page 121) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537538 Murphy's law is alive and well in theatre, proving the old adage true: "If it can go wrong, it will."

Some examples:
-Pizza man entering stage during a tender love ballad 
-Gun not firing and having to use "poison shoes"
-Gun firing and having to charger Maria with murder 

Unlike a movie, when things go wrong on stage there is no second take. As actor Willem Dafoe said, "...acting for film is like a musician playing in a recording studio and acting in the theatre is like playing a live concert..."]]> 2017-11-04 14:32:30 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537538 8 pm: Performing the First Act (page 122-124) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537715 -The stage manager will call all the cues and run the show
-The house manager confirms the audience is seated and the doors are closed
-The soundboard operators, light board operators, and the backstage crew are on head sets
-The house lights are turned off and the show begins
During the show, it is very quiet with only one-way communication from the stage manager to the assistant stage manager, light board operator, soundboard operator, and the stage crews
The actors are in the greenroom when they are not on stage
-The assistant stage manager or ASM makes sure everything runs smoothly during the scene.
-The people working backstage make up the running crew?, including stagehands who shift scenery and generally set up the show for the next scene
-The dressers help actors make quick costume changes
-The riggers or "flymen" are the people who mount and operate the curtains, sets, and anything else that must move via the fly system above the stage
The Curtains
-Legs- curtains used on the sides
-Teasers- the curtains that frame the top of the stage
-Scrims- open-mesh gauze curtains used to make the stage appear opaque when a scene downstage of it is lighted and transparent when a scene upstage the scrim is lighted
-Cyclorama (aka cyc)- a large , stretched curtain used to make a background of color (usually neutral in color but lighting designers can turn them into anything)]]> 2017-11-04 14:34:03 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537715 9 pm: Performing the Final Act (page 124) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537908 During the intermission the actors discuss and compare notes on how the show is going. When the play begins again the stage manager watches the performance and calls every cue from the control booth. The light board operator checks to make sure the light board has the correct cue up as the backstage crew prepares for the next scene changes. The curtain call occurs after the play has concluded as a way for the audience to thank the actors and for the actors to bask in the appreciation.]]> 2017-11-04 14:35:44 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203537908 10-11 pm: Clearing Out, Bringing out the Ghost Light and Curtain Call (page 125) adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203538105 The curtain call has just ended and the actors are on the way to the dressing rooms to hang up their costumes and remove makeup. 
The stage manager stops in to share a few notes and makes announcements.
Backstage and props crews are cleaning up. 
When the audience is crew the white light replaces the theatrical lights. 
The stage manager emails everyone notes from the performance.
Then everyone heads home. 

The last one to leave the theatre rolls out the ghost light and the theatre is locked.
Once again, as the famous set designer, Robert Edmond James said, "the stage is lonely and forlorn and as silent as midnight." ]]> 2017-11-04 14:37:15 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203538105 Summary adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203538158 -4 categories:
-Administrative
-Creative
-Construction
-Production
Theatre is spread out throughout an ensemble, as any group efforts should be. There are so many people in the production team, such as directors, designers, cast and stage managers, and with one of these elements absent a performance would not flow well, if it all. 

]]> 2017-11-04 14:37:41 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/203538158 adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/206089142 2017-11-13 04:04:51 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/206089142 adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/206089715 2017-11-13 04:10:14 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/206089715 adayinthelifeoftheatre https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/206097271 2017-11-13 05:16:57 UTC https://padlet.com/adayinthelifeoftheatre/f51tm2sg43gy/wish/206097271